Your  Account:

History of Undergraduates Scholarship

Undergraduate research presents a unique opportunity for student scholars majoring in Communication or Mass Media. Benefits include completing and submitting original research to a campus, regional or national conference; creating and delivering a professional presentation to faculty and students; receiving feedback from scholars in the field; meeting other undergraduate scholars locally, regionally or nationally; learning about other’s research interests; and, learning about graduate studies in Communication or Media Studies.

2021

Robert Marks III (2021).  King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail: Its Merit Through Dramatism. Recipient of the 2020-21 CSUSM University Library Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Ariana Null, The Hobbit’s Embrace of Diverse Men. Recipient of the 2020-21 CSUSM University Library Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

2020

menteeoriginal

Photo from the Western States Communication Association Convention, Denver, CO Feb. 2020. L to R: Liliana Hernandez, A. Pena, C. Balderas, Dr. Holling, N. Haining, and K. Mavers.  

Cynthia Balderas (2020). Ideological Feminist Criticism and Queer Politics in Juana Inés Netflix Series. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Denver, CO. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Nicole Haining (2020). Red Dead Redemption 2: The New Age of the Western. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Denver, CO. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].

Liliana Hernandez (2020). Precious Knowledge: Recentering Injustices in Latin@ Education. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Denver, CO. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].

Kevin Mavers (2020).  Ideographic Analysis of Net Neutrality Discourse.  Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Denver, CO. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].

Angelica Peña (2020). Protectionist to Collectivist Familia Structures: Reimagining Chicano Barrio Masculinity in La Mission. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Denver, CO. Awarded Top Four Paper  [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].

penaaward300

2019

scurroriginal

Photo from Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research, San Marcos, CA, fall 2019. L to R: A. Peña, Dr. Holling, and L. Hernandez.

Autumn Destarac-Saldana (2019). Queering the Wolverine: A Nepantlera Reading of Logan. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Seattle, WA. Awarded LPE Top Undergraduate Paper [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Antonio De La Garza]

Sara Freitag (2019). "This is for the Women: Disrupting Patriarchy Through Poetry. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Seattle, WA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Liliana Hernandez and Angelica Peña, each presented their research at the Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research, San Marcos, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].  

J. Montes (2019). The Subtle Inconsistencies: An investigation on punk rock and its relationship to racial discrimination. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Seattle, WA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Antonio De La Garza]

Stephen Vandereb, Kendra Dyanne Rivera, and Cheryl Berry (2019). Waiting for a Like: Exploring Social Media and Mental Health Amongst College Students. Presented at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Seattle, WA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

 
USRC 2
 

Photo from the Western States Communication Association Convention in Seattle, WA Feb. 2019. L to R: Autumn Destarac-Saldana, Dr. Antonio De La Garza and J Uriel Montes.

2018

Danielle Biss (2018). (En)Gendering Hegemonic Representations of Disability in The Bridge. Presented at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Santa Clara, CA. Awarded Top Undergraduate Paper [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Kara Estorga (2018). ¿Quién soy? An Exploration in Communication and Latina Lesbian Identity. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Sara Freitag (2018). Gucci: Flattening Women Through Patriarchal Heteronormativity. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference at the Western States Communication Association Convention, Santa Clara, CA. Awarded Top Three Paper [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Antonio De La Garza]

Gianni Voytilla (2018). A Gay Man's Call to Ministry: An Oral History Challenging Heteronormativity.  Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera

 WSCA Group Photo

Photo from the Western States Communication Association, Feb. 2018. L to R: Dr. Michelle Holling, Danielle Biss, Sara Freitag, and Dr. Antonio De La Garza

Symposium 2018

Photo from the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, CSUSM, March 2018. L to R:  Gianni Voytilla, Dr. Kendra Rivera, and Kara Estorga

2017

Brenda Barniga (2017). America the Beautiful: Examining America's Racially Inclined Notion of Beauty. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dreama Moon]

Brandon Beach (2017). Freak Show and the Need for Inclusion in American Society. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. [Faculty Advisor: Alexandra Jackson Nevis, M.A.]

Danielle Biss (2017). Finding Dory: Challenging Counter-Hegemonic Representations of Disability. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Antonio De La Garza]

Kathryn Eldridge (2017). The Harry Potter Novels as a Tool for Increasing Acceptance of Diversity. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Antonio De La Garza]

Rebecca Nieto (2017). Zootopia: Predator and Prey. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. [Faculty Advisor: Alexandra Jackson Nevis, M.A]

Kaylie Sadlon (2017). A Film for Reparations: A Fantasy-Theme Criticism of Django Unchained. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Salt Lake City, UT [Faculty Advisor: Alexandra Jackson Nevis, M.A]

 Photo from the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Feb 2017 

Photo from the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Feb. 2017. L to R: Dr. Michelle Holling, Dr. Gloria Pindi, Kathryn Eldridge, Brenda Barniga, Brandon Beach, Danielle Biss, and Dr. Antonio De La Garza

2016

Christopher Bouchard and Isabelle Corneliussen (2016). Media Missing the Mark on Masculinity. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Showcase, Media and Communication Days, CSUSM

Jasmine Demers and Kendra Dyanne Rivera (2016). Advocating for Trans*Rights Through Collaboration and Collective Knowledge, Experience, and Wisdom. Accepted for presentation at the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language and Gender, Chicago, IL. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera].

Bryce Dollarhide and Kimberlee Zolghadri (2016). The Relationship between Popularity and Self-Disclosure on Facebook. Accepted for presentation at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Mission Bay, CA.  [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dreama Moon].

Katherine Orphey (2016). Doing Rhetorical Criticism #LikeAGirl. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Mission Bay, CA.  [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Vincent Pham].

Stephanie Rubio (2016). The Hollywood Boulevard of Common Racial Stereotypes. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Showcase, Media and Communication Days, CSUSM

Kaylie Sadlon (2016). A Film for Reparations. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Showcase, Media and Communication Days, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Alexandra Jackson Nevis].

Nick Shumate (2016). A Dance with the Devil in the Pale Moonlight. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Mission Bay, CA.  [Faculty Advisor: Alexandra Jackson Nevis].

Sonni Simmons (2016). Poetic Fantasy: Fantasy-Theme Analysis of a Spoken Word Performance. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Mission Bay, CA.  [Faculty Advisor: Alexandra Jackson Nevis].

Shakara Thompson (2016). Girls Only: No Boys Allowed. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Showcase, Media and Communication Days, CSUSM

2016 USRC MAC Panel

Photo from the Undergraduate Research Showcase, April 2016 in concert with Media and Communication Days. L to R: Alexandra Jackson Nevis (panel chair), Isabelle Corneliussen, Christopher Bouchard, Stephanie Rubio, Kaylie Sadlon, and Shakara Thompson (presenters)

2016 USRC conference

Photo from the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, February 2016
sponsored by the Western States Communication Association. L to R: Katie Orphey, Sonni Simmons, Alexandra Jackson Nevis, Dr. Michelle Holling, & Dr. Vincent Pham

2015

Tiffaney Boyd (2015). Communicating and Creating “Safe Spaces.” To be presented at the National Communication Association Convention, Las Vegas, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera].

Janet Brotherton (2015). Textual Carpentry: How Framing of Female Candidates Constructed Narrative and Reinforced the Political Glass Ceiling in the 2008 Campaign. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Spokane, WA.  [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].

Kelli Floodman (2015). Protesting for Change: Nadezhda Tolokonnikova’s Plea to Russia through the Feminist Perspective. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Spokane, WA.  [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].

Nicholas Lacy (2015).  Coming of Age in After School Programs. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Spokane, WA.  [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera].

Maria Valencia (2015). Generic Criticism of the 2012 Presidential Remarks on the Aurora Shooting.  Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Spokane, WA.  Awarded Top Paper. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Vincent Pham].

Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2015

Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2015 at the Western States Communication Association Conference.  L to R: Dr. Michelle A. Holling, Nicholas Lacy, Kelli Flodman, Janet Brotherton, Maria Valencia, and Dr. Vincent Pham

2014

Kristen Grassi (2014). The Importance of Communication for Spreading the Word about Non-Profit Organizations. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Christine Lee (2014). Communicating Learner Empowerment in a Montessori Classroom. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. Finalist in the CSU Statewide Student Research Competition, CSU East Bay. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Martika Ramirez (2014). Communication Interventions for Students with Autism. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Pasha Saberi (2014). The Visual Rhetoric of Murals and the Power to Change. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Anaheim, CA.  [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Ron Tranbarger (2014). Public Speaking: Peer to Peer Revelations. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Liz (Elizabeth) Tarnof (2014). Communicating & Creating Awareness about Cystic Fibrosis. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Ricardo (Ricky) Vasquez (2014). “I Just Need Someone to Talk to:” The Importance of Conversations for At-Risk Kids. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. Finalist in the CSU Statewide Student Research Competition, CSU East Bay. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

 Ron Tranbarger, Ricky Vasquez, Liz Tarnof

Photo from CSUSM Symposium on Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, 2014.  Back Row (L to R): Ron Tranbarger, Ricky Vasquez, Liz Tarnof, Martika Ramirez; Front Row (L to R): Kristen Grassi, Christine Lee, Dr. Kendra Rivera

 Dr. Michelle A. Holling and Pasha Saberi

Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2014 at the Western States Communication Association Conference.  L to R: Dr. Michelle A. Holling and Pasha Saberi

2013

Maricel Alamares (2013). The Hunger Games: Inspiring Hegemonic Disenchantment. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Chelsea Daniels (2013). Corporations Can Make Apologies. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Amira El-Khaouli (2013). Audience, Metaphors, and the 1995 State of the Union Address. Accepted for presentation at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Katie Hanson & Eric Trockman. (2013). Grief Work and the Utilization of Online Discursive Surface to Mourn and Memorialize. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dreama Moon]

Stephanie Martin (2013). Margaret Sanger: The Ungrateful yet Successful Child of Chance. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Joëlle Mestemacher (2013). The Cultivation of Professorial Credibility and its Moderation by Gender in the College Classroom. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].  Paper also submitted to the Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington, DC and was awarded an Honorable Mention.

Joëlle Mestemacher (2013). The Cultivation of Professorial Credibility and its Moderation by Gender in the College Classroom. Submitted to the Posters on the Hill, Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington, DC. Awarded an Honorable Mention. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]. 

Dr. Vincent Pham, Stephanie Martin, Maricel Alamares

Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2013 at the Western States Communication Association Conference.  L to R: Dr. Vincent Pham, Stephanie Martin, Maricel Alamares, Joëlle Mestemacher, Katie Hanson, Chelsea Daniels and Dr. Michelle A. Holling 

2012

Stephanie Breneman (2012). RISE! Reading Improvement for Student Excellence. Presented at the Undergraduate Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, California State University San Marcos, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Vanessa Bush. (2012). Volunteer Socialization in Non-Profit Organizations. Presented at the Undergraduate Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, California State University San Marcos, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Katie Hanson & Eric Trockman. (2012). Grief Work and the Utilization of Online Discursive Surface to Mourn and Memorialize. Presented at the Student Poster Showcase, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dreama Moon]

Brianna N. Muehl (2012). A Controversial Redefinition of Pornography.  Presented at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Albuquerque, NM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Joëlle Mestemacher (2012). Feminist Rhetoric in Fictional Narratives: A Cluster Analysis of Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story of an Hour.” Presented at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Albuquerque, NM. Earned Top Four Paper. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Kaitlin Phillips (2012). Technology Poses Challenges and Opportunities Within the Classroom. Presented at the Undergraduate Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, California State University San Marcos, CA. Placed as a finalist for the Statewide competition in Sacramento, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Brianna Muehl and Joëlle Mestemacher

Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2012 at the Western States Communication Association Conference.   L to R: Brianna Muehl and Joëlle Mestemacher

2011

Anthony P. Cuomo (2011). Suburban Ideals: Reconstructing the American Dream. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Brooklyn Dambach (2011). The Influence of Inaugural Speeches in Candidacy and International Affairs.  Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Michelle Escobar. (2011). Changing the Established: A Pentadic Analysis of Margaret Sanger’s Speech The Morality of Birth Control. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Kenneth Jamison (2011). A Rhetorical Approach to Interpreting Boyz N the Hood and Its Ideological Stances.  Accepted for presentation at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Holly Johnson (2011). Celebration at the Stone. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Anileni Ortega (2011). Undocumented Immigrants and No Mas Cruces en La Frontera. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Maria Isabel Rocha (2011a). Linking Coachella Farmworkers to Vital Resources. Presented at the Undergraduate Student Research Competition, California State University San Marcos, CA. Earned Second place at the Statewide competition, Sacramento, CA. [Advisor: Dr. Arcela Nunez-Alvarez]

Maria Isabel Rocha (2011b). Linking Coachella Farmworkers to Vital Resources. Presented at the Undergraduate Students Research/Creative Activities Showcase, CSUSM. [Advisor: Dr. Arcela Nunez-Alvarez]

Travis Wilson (2011). Facing Patriotism. Presented at the Undergraduate Students Research/Creative Activities Showcase, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

 smiiling students

Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2011 at the Western States Communication Association Conference.  L to R: Holly Johnson, Anileni Ortega, Dr. Michelle A. Holling, Anthony Cuomo, and Brooklyn Dambach

2010

Alexandra Jackson (2010). It’s Funny Because it’s True: The Therapeutic Rhetoric of American Individualism and Reflections of Nothingness. Presented at the 96th Annual National Communication Association Convention, San Francisco, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

2009

Jessica Timberlake (2009). “Any Questions?”: Revealing Strategies of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s “Fried Egg” Ad Campaign. Presented at the Undergraduate Students Research Competition, California State University San Marcos, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]