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While the summer months might be a bit calmer on campus, research and academic opportunities never stop at Mount Saint Mary’s. This summer, five undergraduate students had the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects focusing on a variety of topics: the dynamics related to music recording, children’s literature, women and film, equity in healthcare and the sociology of aging and activity.

The program, organized by the Center for Academic Innovation and Creativity and funded by the Fletcher Jones Foundation, is aimed at providing research and academic mentorship experiences to undergraduate students from social sciences, humanities and art majors.

“Research experiences are considered a high-impact practice supporting students as they prepare for professional life or graduate school, and they are part of what makes the Mount’s education transformative for both students and faculty,” said Andrée Leighton, PhD, director of CAIC.

Students started working on their projects at the end of the spring semester and had the opportunity to present their findings at a virtual showcase open to the Mount community on July 25. The event provided a platform to celebrate the students’ research and engage in diverse conversations across disciplines.

Lalibela Faraba ’25, a music major, was paired with professor Derrick Skye, composer and instrumental ensembles director, to work on her project. Faraba’s goal was to learn how to use audio recording equipment and digital software to create an original piece. “This opportunity has grown my creativity exponentially. I’m so grateful for professor Skye’s mentorship and support during this unique learning experience,” said Faraba.

Sociology professor Lynn Fahey, PhD, who oversaw a research project conducted by Stephany Villacorta '25, shared her experience as a mentor: “For me, this was a full-circle moment because I got involved in research myself when I was a sophomore undergraduate during a summer research experience. That was the first time that I really thought about the possibility of becoming a professor. It was very exciting to be on the other side and support my student. I’m incredibly proud of Stephanie and what she has accomplished during this research.”

The names of faculty and students who participated in the program and their research projects are listed below:

• “Just Keep Swimming: Conversations with Women Masters Aquatics Athletes,” Professor Lynn Fahey, PhD, and Stephany Villacorta '25
• “Building Bridges of Care: Critical Consciousness and CSJ Charism of Equity in Health Care for African-American Women in the US,” Professor Carmen Huxley and Blessing Teah '25
• “New Skills, Techniques, and Strategies in Music Audio Recording,” Professor Derrick Skye and Lalibela Faraba '25
• “Current Diversity in Children’s Picture Books and Children’s Illustrated Literature Focusing on the Family,” Professor Melissa Berry and Claudia Hernandez '24
• “Maternal Labor, Anxiety, and Precarity in Audre Pepin’s Observational Documentary A la vie/Sheroes (France, 2019),” Professor Alice Bardan, PhD, and Kassandra Bahena

CAIC supports the Mount commitment to innovative teaching, learning and research through a variety of activities and programs, including the annual Academic Symposium.

View the of the CAIC Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase and Celebration.