Mount Saint Mary College IT major Allison Espana of Elmhurst, N.Y. recently presented her academic research at the 29th Annual CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) Statewide Student Conference in Lake George, N.Y.
Along with Grace Vazquez, coordinator of the Mount’s CSTEP, Espana attended a three-day conference where she presented the research she has been conducting the last two summers at the Mount’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) with Micah Modell, assistant professor of Information Technology.
The Mount’s SURE program offers all student majors in all research disciplines the chance to work with faculty mentors to conduct scholarly research projects. Over the past decade, students have conducted research projects in areas such as psychology, history, literature, education, healthcare, literacy, international studies, math, and the natural sciences.
Under Modell’s tutelage, Espana has been researching how to implement localization and develop collaboration evaluation criteria for the learning management system “Colab,” to broaden accessibility and usability in different languages.
“It was an amazing opportunity to go to the Statewide CSTEP conference and represent Mount Saint Mary College,” said Espana. “I got to network professionally and I got to meet other CSTEP students from other schools. It was great to see other CSTEP students’ research and made me reflect how thankful I am being a CSTEP student.”
Modell noted that he’s pleased Espana will continue to work with him in the SURE program this year.
“This summer promises to be even more exciting as Allison can now take on the role of mentor to an up-and-coming student during SURE as we continue the work she’s been engaged with and chart further new territory,” he said.
The CSTEP Annual Statewide Conference fosters talented students’ academic success in preparing for professional licensure, careers in STEM, and more. Each year, approximately 700 students and staff attend the conference from 55 schools and colleges across New York. Attendees present research during poster sessions and oral presentations, compete for awards and network with students from other university’s CSTEP programs. The event is hosted by the New York State Education Department and Syracuse University.
The Mount’s CSTEP works to increase the number of underrepresented students who possess strong academic and personal potential to pursue careers in mathematics, science, technology, health-related fields, or a licensed profession.