ASH Scholars

Elise Milburn smiling and posing for a picture in front of a historic landmark.

May 13, 2025

An Incredible Learning Environment: Milburn Earns Constitutional Democracy and History Degrees

The Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy served as a home away from home for Elise Milburn. She was able to study abroad and conduct research through the program. Milburn was also very involved in the Honors College, earning more than 40 Honors credits as a Tiger. Photo courtesy of Elise Milburn. Story by Logan Jackson The first piece of college recruitment material that Elise Milburn received came courtesy of the University of Missouri. While Milburn wasn’t shocked to see those types of materials as a high school student, she was a bit surprised to see something from a university in…
Tanner Smith holding a microphone while speaking to a crowd.

May 12, 2025

Investigating Multiple Opportunities: Smith Earns Communication and Political Science Degrees

Tanner Smith was part of the ASH Scholars Program for all four years as a Tiger. That program allows students to conduct research in the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines. Photo by Logan Jackson. Story by Kaiya Lynch Senior Tanner Smith vividly recalls his first day at the University of Missouri. “I remember sitting in the dorms and was like, ‘What am I supposed to do now?’” Smith said. A communication and political science double-major with a sociology minor, Smith quickly realized that his next step was undergraduate research. Before coming to Mizzou, Smith was determined to become a…
A picture of several

May 6, 2025

Art of Death ASH Scholars Team Showcases Multi-Modality Project

The Art of Death ASH Scholars team showcased a multi-modality project titled “Layered” in mid-April. The project was created to memorialize Read Hall, the first women’s dorm at the University of Missouri. Photo courtesy of Michelle Teti. Story by Kaiya Lynch One team. One night. One hundred years of history encapsulated. The Art of Death team examines death, dying and grief within culture via interdisciplinary research. Photo courtesy of Michelle Teti. The ASH Scholars’ Art of Death team showcased multi-modality work at “Layered” in mid-April. The project was created to memorialize Read Hall, the first women’s…
Two students working with another individual on a writing task.

Oct. 9, 2023

Contributing to Vital Research in African Linguistics

Students who are part of the Collaborative Research in African Languages (CORAL) team at Mizzou contribute to vital research in African linguistics. Students routinely meet with native speakers to gain a better understanding of the languages they are studying. Photo courtesy of Michael Marlo. Undergraduate students who are part of the Collaborative Research in African Languages (CORAL) team at the University of Missouri contribute to vital research in African linguistics. Students perform a variety of tasks depending on their experience, their interests and the needs of the team. Some of that work includes extracting linguistic data from existing sources, such…
A student using VR technology to view a picture.

Oct. 6, 2023

ASH Scholars Program Promotes Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

The ASH Scholars Program has led to ongoing research opportunities for undergraduate students at the University of Missouri involved in the arts, social sciences and humanities (ASH) disciplines. For example, the Art of Death research project is focused on normalizing conversations about death and dying through the lens of artistic production. Photo courtesy of Katina Bitsicas. A unique collaboration between the University of Missouri Office of Undergraduate Research and the MU Honors College has led to an ongoing research opportunity for undergraduate students involved in the arts, social sciences and humanities (ASH) disciplines. The ASH…
A student showing their research via a poster presentation.

Oct. 5, 2023

Examining Close Relationships

The Close Relationships research project studies how youths’ interactions with close relationship partners shape their development and emotional adjustment. Mizzou students who are part of the project have numerous hands-on learning opportunities, including sharing their findings with the public. Here, senior Lynn Eckhardt talks with an individual about the work being done. Photo courtesy of Amanda Rose. Undergraduate students at the University of Missouri who participate in the Close Relationships research project study how youths’ interactions with close relationship partners shape their development and emotional adjustment. Students approach the study of relationships from a lifetime perspective – with a primary…
Two students sharing their research during a presentation.

Oct. 5, 2023

Studying the Importance of Minority-Focused Content

Students on the Minority Focused News as a Locus of Empowerment research team have ample opportunities to share their work. For example, Maya Morris, a recent MU grad, presented during Mizzou’s Research Symposium. Photo courtesy of Chris Josey. The Minority Focused News as a Locus of Empowerment research team investigates the manners in which news websites and streaming platforms that serve under-represented and marginalized populations provide a benefit to society. Undergraduate students at the University of Missouri who participate in the research seek to understand how identity-focused content serves as a safe space for those affected groups. The original research…
A picture of an individual sitting in a dark room looking at a photo being projected on the wall.

Oct. 5, 2023

Exploring Death Through the Lens of Artistic Production

Part of the ASH Scholars Program, the Art of Death research project has allowed undergraduate students at the University of Missouri to normalize conversations about death and dying through the lens of artistic production. Photo courtesy of Katina Bitsicas. Since 2017, the Art of Death research project has allowed undergraduate students at the University of Missouri to normalize conversations about death and dying through the lens of artistic production. Students use a variety of media tools – such as virtual reality (VR), projection mapping, augmented reality (AR) and video art – to generate creative projects that explore death and dying.
A group of students sitting around tables doing work.

Oct. 5, 2023

A Historical Dive into the Santa Fe Trail

A new project within the ASH Scholars Program, the Santa Fe Trail team is studying the importance of the entire trail, with a focus on its influence in the state of Missouri and beyond. Photo courtesy of Kyle Jackson. An important piece of Missouri history, the Santa Fe Trail connected the Show-Me State to present day Santa Fe, New Mexico, providing a valuable trade route through the middle of a still growing United States. The trail has been of interest to historians in the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy – and a new research project will now allow…
A group of students posing for a picture by their research poster.

May 9, 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 field. They are also…