Geography freshman Morgan Hurt recently earned recognition by participating in Student Training for Advancing Research (S.T.A.R.) from the Office of Undergraduate Research after attending five professional development workshops. She will be listed in the Fall Forum booklet and receive a small gift from the Office of Undergraduate Research for her efforts.

S.T.A.R was created in fall 2020 due to many students not having access to labs or being able to participate in many scholarly activities, in large part to Covid-19. All S.T.A.R. workshops are held via Zoom.

“This is a really neat accomplishment,” says Academic Advisor Joe Franklin.

“Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Morgan,” adds geography Chair Soren Larsen.

Hurt says she enjoyed attending the Zoominars. “They did a great job of adapting to the current Covid situation and I really appreciate their efforts to help students keep learning.”

The five courses she completed were: “Alumni Career Panel,” “Cultural Competency & Research,” “Getting Started,” “Faculty Mentor Panel,” and “Developing Competency and Confidence.”

“I do plan on taking more S.T.A.R. Zoominars,” Hurt says. “’How to Photograph Your Art,’ and ‘How to Write an Artist Statement’ look interesting and helpful!”

She says she enjoyed S.T.A.R. professors and staff who provided an exciting learning and professional development plan, adding it keeps her motivated and eager to learn. She said the Zoominar leaders appeared happy to be there, and welcomed the opportunity to share their knowledge.

“The S.T.A.R. Zoominars gave me a lot of great information on how to begin researching as an undergraduate, along with tips and tricks to make the most of the opportunities you are given. I found the ‘Getting Started’ Zoominar to be especially helpful!

“I would definitely recommend the S.T.A.R. training to other students! The undergraduate research department puts a lot of effort into the Zoominars and it shows!”