ATLANTA – A Tusculum University student recently shared research she and her classmates completed on anxiety as she interacted with peers and professionals across the Southeast at a conference geared for those who participate in a federal grant program that supports disadvantaged individuals.
Emme Foster, right, discusses her poster at the conference.
Emme Foster, a rising junior, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in communication, presented a poster at the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel SSS/McNair Scholars Research Conference. The topic was about the correlation of sleep quality and physical activity to anxiety.
The study, conducted with fellow members in her Psychology 201 class, began with a hypothesis that more sleep and physical activity would result in less anxiety. The research showed through 201 survey responses that sleep quality was a factor but that the connection with physical activity was insignificant.
“This conference helped me in many ways,” Foster said. “I’ve gained valuable experience in how to present, be professional in a professional setting, network and meet new people. Importantly, I learned the extreme value that undergraduate research and internship experience have for my aspirations for my future. The conference also gave me exposure to what my peers are doing in the field; what impactful, insightful research and presenting looks like; and what to strive for in my own career.”
Foster is a member of Student Support Services at Tusculum. That program serves college students whose parents or guardians do not have a bachelor’s degree, who meet income eligibility requirements and who have a disability. SSS provides advising, tutoring, mentoring, cultural and social activities and visits to graduate schools, all for free.
SSS is part of TRIO, a collection of programs that encourage students to obtain a bachelor’s degree and consider advancing to graduate school. SAEOPP advocates for TRIO and advances the ideals of student access, persistence and completion of post-secondary education.
“We knew that this conference would be a great place for Emme to practice a professional research presentation,” said Rachael Barnett, SSS’ director. “All of the students in attendance were participants in SSS or the McNair Scholars program, and she was able to share about her group’s research with other students doing similar work. This also gave Emme the opportunity to practice a Zoom presentation prior to the conference.”
Foster shared her class’ research at Tusculum’s Academic Symposium in April as well. Presenting in both venues was emotional and beneficial for her as she proceeds toward her ultimate goal of obtaining a doctorate in neuroscience.
“It was nerve-wracking to present for not just my peers, but to the doctors, engineers and scientists who will be working by my side as we grow into our respective careers,” Foster said. “However, once I began my presentation, I felt assured that this is what I’m meant to do. The response and feedback from my peers and elders will stay with me as I continue my studies at Tusculum and beyond, and the value of presenting outside my comfort zone is immeasurable. I hope to continue attending these conferences, to keep learning and to keep practicing.”
Joining Foster at the conference were fellow students Adriann Aldridge, a history major, and Dolly Holt, who is seeking a bachelor’s in English education. Barnett and Meagan Stark, SSS’ associate director, also attended.
Holt said she was able to sit in presentations connected to her field of study but different enough for her to learn more. She met other students who were also interested in some form of history education. In addition, she was interested in learning about graduate school programs, the processes for applying to them and their costs.
Barnett commended Aldridge and Holt for seizing the opportunity to attend. She said they were curious to learn more about undergraduate research and how they might incorporate that into their studies.
She was also grateful SSS had the financial resources to enable the three Tusculum students to participate.
“I hope they learned that it is important to take advantage of the networking opportunities at conferences like this,” Barnett said. “Meeting other professionals and students from similar backgrounds can offer possibilities that you would not have otherwise. We want our SSS students to have opportunities to improve themselves and learn that becoming successful is more than just earning a college degree.”
To discover more about the SSS program, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/student-success/academic-affairs/first-gen/sss/. Additional information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.