国产传媒

Mount Saint Mary’s University celebrated its 12th Annual Academic Symposium on April 8, 2025, at the Doheny Campus, marking the largest gathering of student and faculty scholarship in the event’s history. Organized by the Center for Academic Innovation and Creativity (CAIC), the symposium showcased the depth and breadth of intellectual inquiry at the Mount.

This year, 146 students and 28 faculty and staff members participated, delivering a total of 140 academic presentations, including 23 research posters. In addition, 35 faculty and staff members served as moderators, fostering meaningful dialogue throughout the day. The day’s presentations reflected the diversity of academic inquiry at the Mount, featuring a wide array of topics spanning health and biological sciences, social sciences and the arts and humanities.

“The Academic Symposium is a powerful testament to the dedication of our students, faculty and staff in advancing knowledge and understanding,” said 国产传媒 President Ann McElaney-Johnson, PhD. “Education and knowledge are the key to transformation — the paths to solving the world’s most pressing challenges. We take great pride in our students’ commitment to academic inquiry and the meaningful contributions they make to their fields of study.”

Since its inception in 2013, the Academic Symposium has provided a platform for students and faculty to engage in meaningful research, scholarly discussions and creative expression. Over the years, it has grown in both participation and scope, reflecting the Mount’s dedication to fostering a culture of academic excellence. Initially a modest event, the symposium has evolved into one of the most anticipated academic gatherings of the year, featuring interdisciplinary collaborations and showcasing innovative research across various fields.

Andrée Leighton, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of History and Political Science and academic director of CAIC, reflected on the significance of this year’s symposium: “The surge in research and creativity — including interdisciplinary work — is evidence of how Mount students, faculty and staff are preparing to meet the dynamic needs of the world.”

For many students, the symposium provided a platform to share their research and experiences with the broader Mount community. First-year Business Administration student Mia Castellanos’28 presented on her recent student pilgrimage to Le Puy, France, where she learned more about Mount Saint Mary’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. “As I organized my presentation, I reflected on how grateful I was for the opportunity to travel abroad with peers who shared a genuine interest in learning about the University’s history and the CSJ mission”, shared Mia. “Presenting at the Academic Symposium was both encouraging and affirming — it showed me that I am capable of embracing new challenges and contributing to academic conversations, even early in my college journey.”

Viviana Citalan-Maldonado ’26, another business major and first-time presenter, shared how showcasing her advertising campaign research strengthened her academic confidence. “We had been working on our project since August, so it was rewarding to finally share our work,” said Viviana. “The symposium helped me build confidence and professionalism in presenting an advertising campaign. This year, I have been focusing on improving my public speaking, and this experience really showed me how far I have come in reaching that goal.” She also credited her professor Melanie Mays for providing guidance and support throughout the entire process.

Beyond the presentations, the symposium fostered a spirit of mentorship and collaboration, reinforcing the Mount’s commitment to academic excellence. As the symposium continues to grow each year, it remains a cornerstone of intellectual and creative expression at the Mount, honoring a decade-long tradition of celebrating knowledge and discovery.