The Bay Honors Consortium is set to host their 16th annual Honors Symposium Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. where five Los Medanos College students will be presenting at Stanford University.
While online registration closed April 14, attendees may still register in person on the day of the event with a $50 registration fee.
The symposium highlights community college students from around California, offering them the opportunity to present original work across a wide array of disciplines, including science, math, humanities and social sciences in a professional academic setting.
“LMC tends to do really well, I think partly because we’ve been doing it for a long time but also it’s a testament to the work that students are doing here,” said Jennifer Saito, LMC professor and director of the Honors Program.
With 30 community colleges in Northern and Central California submitting proposals, and only 100 being accepted this year, LMC continues to stand out, with four of its proposals accepted.
Student presenter Natalya Marroquin said the process of getting her topic accepted for the Honors Research Symposium was both exciting and nerve-racking. After learning her proposal was accepted, Marroquin said, “It feels amazing to get accepted with there being only 100 spots open to students.”
This year the students presenting include Alyssa King, whose research focuses on mental health in the Bay Area. Marroquin and Valerie Macha Ramos, who examine how land management practices support biodiversity in Delta wetlands. Natalie Oliver, whose presentation explores biomechanical and psychological adjustments for martial artists with sciatica, and Jenica Perez, whose project serves as a student’s guide to sustainable campus landscapes.
“I’m doing a comparative analysis of the nine Bay Area counties and what they are doing in terms of mental health resources. This is a pretty personal topic for me because I have gone through mental health issues myself and I wish I had the resources I’ve been researching about back then,” King added that she hopes to “help bridge the gap,” between people and mental help resources.
As the symposium approaches, preparation remains a key focus for the student presenters as they finalize their work. By putting the finishing touches on their projects and polishing their presentations through rehearsals, LMC’s presenters are gearing up for the trip to Stanford and the opportunity to showcase their work.
King expressed that she feels confident going into the event and encourages other LMC students to attend, even if they aren’t presenting.
“If you are a student it is 100% worth going and picking up some new things to fill your knowledge bucket.” said King “It makes me proud to be a Mustang, I know around 300 proposals were submitted. So to be a part of that is a big honor.”
For students interested in attending the Honors Research Symposium, the Honors Program still has space available for those who need transportation. Students can contact Jennifer Saito via email at [email protected].
