Undergraduate Research Undergraduate research presents a unique opportunity for student scholars majoring in Communication or Mass Media. Benefits include completing and submitting original research to a campus, regional or national conference; creating and delivering a professional presentation to faculty and students; receiving feedback from scholars in the field; meeting other undergraduate scholars locally, regionally or nationally; learning about other’s research interests; and, learning about graduate studies in Communication or Mass Media. Scroll down, read about, and view students’ research accomplishments!

2015

Tiffaney Boyd (2015). Communicating and Creating “Safe Spaces.” To be presented at the National Communication Association Convention, Las Vegas, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]. Janet Brotherton (2015). Textual Carpentry: How Framing of Female Candidates Constructed Narrative and Reinforced the Political Glass Ceiling in the 2008 Campaign. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Spokane, WA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]. Kelli Floodman (2015). Protesting for Change: Nadezhda Tolokonnikova’s Plea to Russia through the Feminist Perspective. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Spokane, WA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]. Nicholas Lacy (2015). Coming of Age in After School Programs. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Spokane, WA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]. Maria Valencia (2015). Generic Criticism of the 2012 Presidential Remarks on the Aurora Shooting. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Spokane, WA. Awarded Top Paper. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Vincent Pham].

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Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2015 at the Western States Communication Association Conference. L to R: Dr. Michelle A. Holling,

Nicholas Lacy, Kelli Flodman, Janet Brotherton, Maria Valencia, and Dr. Vincent Pham

2014

Kristen Grassi (2014). The Importance of Communication for Spreading the Word about Non-Profit Organizations. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera] Christine Lee (2014). Communicating Learner Empowerment in a Montessori Classroom. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. Finalist in the CSU Statewide Student Research Competition, CSU East Bay. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera] Martika Ramirez (2014). Communication Interventions for Students with Autism. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

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Pasha Saberi (2014). The Visual Rhetoric of Murals and the Power to Change. Presented at the Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Anaheim, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Ron Tranbarger (2014). Public Speaking: Peer to Peer Revelations. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera] Liz (Elizabeth) Tarnof (2014). Communicating & Creating Awareness about Cystic Fibrosis. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera] Ricardo (Ricky) Vasquez (2014). “I Just Need Someone to Talk to:” The Importance of Conversations for At-Risk Kids. Presented at the Symposium for Student Research, Innovation and Creative Activities, CSUSM. Finalist in the CSU Statewide Student Research Competition, CSU East Bay. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Photo from CSUSM Symposium on Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, 2014. Back Row (L to R): Ron Tranbarger, Ricky Vasquez, Liz Tarnof, Page 3 of 10

Martika Ramirez; Front Row (L to R): Kristen Grassi, Christine Lee, Dr. Kendra Rivera

Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2014 at the Western States Communication Association Conference. L to R: Dr. Michelle A. Holling and

Pasha Saberi

2013 Maricel Alamares (2013). The Hunger Games: Inspiring Hegemonic Disenchantment. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Chelsea Daniels (2013). Corporations Can Make Apologies. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Amira El-Khaouli (2013). Audience, Metaphors, and the 1995 State of the Union Address. Accepted for presentation at the 10th Annual Page 4 of 10

Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Katie Hanson & Eric Trockman. (2013). Grief Work and the Utilization of Online Discursive Surface to Mourn and Memorialize. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dreama Moon] Stephanie Martin (2013). Margaret Sanger: The Ungrateful yet Successful Child of Chance. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Joëlle Mestemacher (2013). The Cultivation of Professorial Credibility and its Moderation by Gender in the College Classroom. Presented at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Reno, NV. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]. Paper also submitted to the Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington, DC and was awarded an Honorable Mention. Joëlle Mestemacher (2013). The Cultivation of Professorial Credibility and its Moderation by Gender in the College Classroom. Submitted to the Posters on the Hill, Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington, DC. Awarded an Honorable Mention. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling].

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Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2013 at the Western States Communication Association Conference. L to R: Dr. Vincent Pham, Stephanie

Martin, Maricel Alamares, Joëlle Mestemacher, Katie Hanson, Chelsea Daniels and Dr. Michelle A. Holling

2012

Stephanie Breneman (2012). RISE! Reading Improvement for Student Excellence. Presented at the Undergraduate Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, California State University San Marcos, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera] Vanessa Bush. (2012). Volunteer Socialization in Non-Profit Organizations. Presented at the Undergraduate Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities,, California State University San Marcos, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera] Katie Hanson & Eric Trockman. (2012). Grief Work and the Utilization of Online Discursive Surface to Mourn and Memorialize. Presented at the Student Poster Showcase, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dreama Moon] Page 6 of 10

Brianna N. Muehl (2012). A Controversial Redefinition of Pornography. Presented at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Albuquerque, NM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Joëlle Mestemacher (2012). Feminist Rhetoric in Fictional Narratives: A Cluster Analysis of Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story of an Hour.” Presented at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Albuquerque, NM. Earned Top Four Paper. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Kaitlin Phillips (2012). Technology Poses Challenges and Opportunities Within the Classroom. Presented at the Undergraduate Student Research, Innovation, and Creative Activities, California State University San Marcos, CA. Placed as a finalist for the Statewide competition in Sacramento, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kendra Rivera]

Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2012 at the Western States Communication Association Conference. L to R: Brianna Muehl and Joëlle

Mestemacher Page 7 of 10

2011

Anthony P. Cuomo (2011). Suburban Ideals: Reconstructing the American Dream. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Brooklyn Dambach (2011). The Influence of Inaugural Speeches in Candidacy and International Affairs. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Michelle Escobar. (2011). Changing the Established: A Pentadic Analysis of Margaret Sanger’s Speech The Morality of Birth Control. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Kenneth Jamison (2011). A Rhetorical Approach to Interpreting Boyz N the Hood and Its Ideological Stances. Accepted for presentation at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Holly Johnson (2011). Celebration at the Stone. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Anileni Ortega (2011). Undocumented Immigrants and No Mas Cruces en La Frontera. Presented at the 8th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, Western States Communication Association, Monterey, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling] Maria Isabel Rocha (2011a). Linking Coachella Farmworkers to Vital Resources. Presented at the Undergraduate Student Research Competition, California State University San Marcos, CA. Earned Second place at the Statewide competition, Sacramento, CA. [Advisor: Dr. Arcela Nunez-Alvarez]

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Maria Isabel Rocha (2011b). Linking Coachella Farmworkers to Vital Resources. Presented at the Undergraduate Students Research/Creative Activities Showcase, CSUSM. [Advisor: Dr. Arcela Nunez-Alvarez] Travis Wilson (2011). Facing Patriotism. Presented at the Undergraduate Students Research/Creative Activities Showcase, CSUSM. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

Photo from Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference, 2011 at the Western States Communication Association Conference. L to R: Holly Johnson, Anileni Ortega,

Dr. Michelle A. Holling, Anthony Cuomo, and Brooklyn Dambach

2010

Alexandra Jackson (2010). It’s Funny Because it’s True: The Therapeutic Rhetoric of American Individualism and Reflections of Nothingness. Presented at the 96th Annual National Communication Association Convention, San Francisco, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

2009

Jessica Timberlake (2009). “Any Questions?”: Revealing Strategies of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s “Fried Egg” Ad Campaign. Presented at the Undergraduate Students Research Competition, Page 9 of 10

California State University San Marcos, CA. [Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Holling]

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