The research and creative works of seven Michigan State University students have earned them the Martin Luther King Jr. Advancing Inclusion through Research Award.
The award builds the body of work authored by students that supports the ideals of inclusive excellence through topics of inclusion, diversity and marginalized populations. This year’s competition encompassed the themes from the university’s Project 60/50.
Student research papers and creative projects completed in 2014 and submitted by members of the Honors College, James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College or the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities were considered.
First prize was awarded to Cameron Allie, Rachel Barton, Erin Gumpper, Ali Haque and Savana Swanson for their website, What "Rape Culture" Means. All five students are members of Lyman Briggs College.
Second prize was awarded to Jolisa Brooks for her website, Cultural Appropriation in the Age of Colorblindness. Brooks is a member of the Honors College and James Madison College.
Third prize was awarded to Sona Movsisyan for her research paper titled, “There is such a thing as bad publicity: misconceptions about human trafficking.” Movsisyan is a member of James Madison College.
The students will receive their awards during the All-University Excellence in Diversity Awards program Feb. 16.
Also receiving honorable mention was Hannah Jenuwine for her research on early college high school programs that support low-income and minority students, along with Leon Hister’s research on homonormativity in the Netherlands and Ryan Tarr’s work on inclusive practices in MSU’s women’s studies theory courses.
Jenuwine is a member of James Madison College; Hister is a member of the Honors College and James Madison College; and Tarr is a member of RCAH.
“The collaborating colleges want to thank all the students who put forward their scholarship for consideration in this competition,” said Bess German, assistant dean for the Honors College. “Their efforts help build on the university’s ideals of inclusive excellence and the ongoing conversations surrounding Project 60/50.”
The MLK Jr. Advancing Inclusion through Research Award was created in 2010 to highlight the ways in which MSU students follow King’s legacy, using their critical and creative skills to understand and re-envision the world.