June 26, 2023

Exploring Critical Questions

On her journey to becoming a doctor, Ashley Monks has made sure to take in a variety of experiential learning opportunities as a student at the University of Missouri. Each experience has allowed Monks to grow – both personally and professionally. One of her most in-depth hands-on learning experiences has been in the laboratory of Laura Schulz, an associate professor in the School of Medicine. Monks has conducted research in that lab for more than a year and will continue working on a couple of unique projects after being named a Cherng Summer Scholar. “I knew I…

June 21, 2023

‘A Dream Program’

Story and photography by Logan Jackson Searching for a summer research opportunity, Haley Hultz was hoping to find a program that would allow her to conduct independent research and give her the freedom to explore her passions. She found that perfect mix with the Cherng Summer Scholars program. A full-time, nine-week, summer research or creative scholarship program for Honors College students, the Cherng Summer Scholars program is supported by a gift from Peggy and Andrew Cherng and the Panda Charitable Foundation. Recipients receive a $7,000 award and access to a $1,000 project expense account. Hultz, a …

June 19, 2023

Conducting Research to Help Others

Story and photography by Logan Jackson While Lara Stefani had never toured the University of Missouri before making the decision to become a Tiger, she was very familiar with what the campus had to offer. A graduate of the Dual Diploma Program offered through the Mizzou Academy, Stefani earned diplomas from the Mizzou High School and Colégio Dante Alighieri in São Paulo, Brazil, where she grew up. Along with that familiarity, Stefani said the opportunity to conduct in-depth research helped make the decision to travel more than 5,000…

May 31, 2023

Building a Community

Story by Logan Jackson Like his peers across the country, Bryson Ferguson received a variety of college materials through the mail during his senior year of high school. One of those pieces made a major impression on him – a postcard from the University of Missouri. “I remember getting this piece of mail covered in black and gold and thought it was really interesting,” Ferguson said. “Mizzou became the first school I actually applied to. Once I dug in and learned about the opportunities that would be available to me, I knew I had made a great…

May 17, 2023

Generous Giving, Endless Opportunities

Story and photography by Logan Jackson The Cherng Summer Scholars program turned a research curiosity into a full-fledged passion for Landon Swartz. The nine-week program, supported by a gift from Peggy and Andrew Cherng and the Panda Charitable Foundation, allows University of Missouri students pursuing the Honors certificate the opportunity to spend a summer participating in research and other creative projects. Swartz, who is from Springfield, Missouri, joined the laboratory of David Mendoza-Cózatl, an associate professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology (MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources), toward the end of his freshman year.

May 10, 2023

Senior Spotlight: Rachel Sacharin

Story by Logan Jackson Rachel Sacharin’s academic journey at the University of Missouri has included some pivots, but there has been one constant throughout her adventure – the Honors College. Sacharin, who is from Southaven, Mississippi, was first connected with the College after being named a Cherng Scholar. Her involvement in Honors didn’t slow at all during her time at MU. “Some of the best people in my life I met through the Honors College,” Sacharin said. “There are so many people here who have supported me through the ups and downs over the past four years. I…

May 9, 2023

Senior Spotlight: Sara Stiens

Story by Logan Jackson Students pursuing the Honors certificate through the University of Missouri Honors College are part of an innovative and dynamic curriculum that encourages in-depth study in traditional fields of learning as well as additional intellectual inquiry. For Sara Stiens, the Honors College also gave her a sense of belonging.   “I couldn’t imagine my college experience without the Honors College,” Stiens said. “The faculty and staff are fantastic, and they supported me not just as a student, but as a person. There are plenty of unique and exciting academic opportunities to pursue, and…

May 8, 2023

ASH Scholars Find Connections Through Research

Story by MJ Montgomery Students in the arts, social science or humanities (ASH) disciplines have the opportunity to join a faculty-led research team at the University of Missouri. Jointly supported by the Honors College and Office of Undergraduate Research, the ASH Scholars program currently has four areas of study. Each study area consists of 10 to 12 students. Linguistics and EnglishThose pursuing linguistics or English can join Documenting Luuyia, a project that aims to record and document three Luuyia languages, which are spoken in Kenya. The team is creating dictionaries and sound guides for future linguists working in the…

May 2, 2023

A Rewarding Year of Research

Story by Logan Jackson Between numerous conferences and multiple research presentations, it has been a busy year for Kristen Barwick – one that has also included a handful of awards. Her most recent accolade will allow her to continue to build on the outstanding research portfolio she has created while at the University of Missouri. Barwick, a junior biochemistry major from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was recently named a Goldwater Scholar. The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious national scholarships in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics in the United States. A total of 413 scholars were named…

May 23, 2022

Honors Student Wins National Science Foundation Fellowship

Story by Sam Ennis University of Missouri student Andrew Mitchell, a senior chemistry major from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, has been awarded a place in the prestigious and highly-competitive National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The program, totaling five years, is designed to support graduate students looking to participate in research while acquiring their master’s and doctoral degrees. It also includes three years of financial aid, comprised of a $34,000 annual stipend and a $12,000 cost of education allowance. Mitchell plans to attend Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he will be pursuing a Ph.D. in…