Skyline College students Julio Lau, Dunhoja Robbins-Bishop, and Julia Rogers presented their original, undergraduate research at this year’s Bay Honors Consortium Symposium, which was held on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at Stanford University. The Bay Honors Consortium (BHC) is made up of Honors Directors and Counselors from 16 Northern and Central California Community College Honors Programs. The BHC’s mission is to promote and support Honors Programs and host our annual Honors Research Symposium.
The day began with an inspiring keynote speech from Dr. Lerone Marin, Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute and Associate Professor of Religious Studies, who illustrated his journey to and through higher education. Dr. Martin emphasized the importance of allowing the power of curiosity and questioning to propel student-researchers through their intellectual pursuits. His research focuses on the intersections of race, politics, and religious traditions in the United States.
The day continued with a first round of student presentations from Dunhoja Robbins-Bishop, a student in the Guardian Scholars and Honors Transfer Programs, who presented her research project on the Black Maternal Advocacy Project. Her mentor, Psychology Professor Jennifer Merrill expressed pride in witnessing Dunhoja’s research. Dunhoja’s work was in conversation with students from Irvine Valley College and Glendale Community College on a panel about the realities and difficulties of motherhood. Dunhoja’s Honors faculty-mentor, Psychology Professor Jennifer Merrill said of her mentee’s presentation, “It was a true pleasure to watch Dunhoja present. Her presentation was both visually appealing and engaging as evidenced by the enthusiastic audience response.”
Honors Transfer Program student Julia Rogers presented on health disparities within the African American community–a research project that began with her Communication Studies Professor, Lindsey Ayotte. Julia’s project was presented with research by students from West Valley College and Las Positas College, on a panel about the intersections of race, health, class, and gender, and ability. English Professor Janice Sapigao moderated the panel to an audience of student-researchers, families, and students’ mentors.
Honors graduate and future UCLA transfer student, Julio Lau, presented his literature review on the trickster figure. This project and paper began in his English 110 class, with his faculty-mentor, Dr. Michael Cross.
Julio presented on this panel with students from Saddleback College and Cañada College.
Article by Janice Sapigao | Photos by Joyce Lee and Janice Sapigao
