College of Human Development, Culture, and Media’s Annual Graduate Symposium Showcases Scholarly Excellence

On Saturday, April 27, the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media hosted its Spring 2024 Graduate Research Symposium in the University Center Theater. The day-long event welcomed 11 master’s candidates for short presentations discussing their master’s projects. "The Graduate Research Symposium was a fantastic event, celebrating our students’ research accomplishments," said Director of Graduate Studies and Assistant Professor Ruth Tsuria, Ph.D. "We had students present on a diversity of topics, all of which they engaged with a systematic methodology and nuanced analysis, drawing conclusions that are both academically sound and can contribute to the professional fields of communication, museums, and higher education."

The symposium was divided into three panels: Culture and Identity, Communication at Work, and Representation in Action. Each student presented their research, aiming to fill gaps in the literature while working towards the solution of wide-ranging issues. The presentations offered the audience insights into the project's findings while allowing the presenter to expand on their methodology and process.

Following the symposium, family, friends and colleagues joined the presenters for a celebratory reception in the University Center. Multiple awards were given during the reception, including Colleague of the Year Award, which was presented to Museum Professions graduate student Sutherlyn Nichols. "Although initially intimidating, it was awesome to see all the effort everyone put into their theses this year," said Nichols about the symposium. "I know I don't speak for only myself when I say I'm super thankful to my advisors, Professors Robinson and Rauchberg, for giving me excellent guidance to deliver a professional academic presentation. It was hard work, but definitely worth it!"

The annual CHDCM Graduate Symposium is an important day celebrating the culmination of our graduate students’ hard work. It is a cornerstone in the academic calendar as a day where students see the fruits of their year-long thesis labor.

"I believe our students can do great things — and this event proved that," said Tsuria.

Read more about each presentation:

Panel 1: Culture and Identity

Jacoba Sampson (M.A. Communication)
"The Communication Accommodation Practices of International Students in Higher Education in the U.S."

Ilona Supel (M.A. Museum Professions)
"Competing for Attention: How Gen Zs Cultural Consumption Habits are Reshaping the Museum Industry"

Kelvin Vivor (M.A. Museum Professions)
"Fostering Social Engagement and Expression in Children with Autism through Museum Interventions"

Ethan Wojciechowski (M.A. Museum Professions)
"Space and Place: A Phenomenological Case Study of Exhibition Team Members and Their Interpretation of Material in an LGBTQ+ Exhibit"

Panel 2: Communication at Work

Christopher Bohm (M.A. Museum Professions)
"Museum Unionization: Managing Labor Relations in Post-Covid-19 United States"

Staysha Taylor (M.A. Communication)
"Examining the role of Adjunct Faculty in Higher Education: A Digital Resource Tool Designed to Support the Development of Adjunct Professors at Seton Hall University"

Sutherlyn Nichols (M.A. Museum Professions)
"Help Wanted?: Examining Job Descriptions at American Art Museums"

Panel 3: Representation in Action

Emmett Rivera (M.A. Museum Professions)
"Queer Representations or Lack Thereof: The Effect of Collection Policy on Museum Collection Diversity"

Kelly Martin (M.A. Museum Professions)
"Just Dying to be Seen: A Multiple Case Study of Human Remains on Display in Museums"

Laila Melhem (M.A. Museum Professions)
"The Statues Died, But Their Legacies Live: A Discourse Analysis of the Debate surrounding Museums and Confederate Monuments"

Jacquelyn Deppe (M.S. Professional Communication and Digital Media Arts)
"The Memory Project: Plans to Engage Seton Hall University Alumni"

Categories: Arts and Culture, Research