SOC student earns Diversity Research award

January 31, 2025 - Emily Jodway

Second-year Sociology student Alana Mapp has won fourth place for her research in this year's Diversity Research Showcase.

Mapp's poster presentation "RCAH Sister Circle As a Third Place" explored how a "sister circle" impacts the sense of belonging in Women of Color at a predominately white institution like MSU. She presented the research with Kellsey Hall and Abigail Rodriguez.

The women found paticipants in the sister circle reported a "notable increase in their sense of belonging" at MSU. Participants also shared experiences of self-improvement and growth achieved through skills learned from Sister Circle events. They were mentored by Drs. Tama Hamilton Wrey and Sitara Thobani.

Mapp is among 60 MSU students who presented research as part of the 8th annual Diversity Research Showcase on January 24.

Poster presenters shared their work online, and they also had the option to informally present their work at the MSU Union to attendees and judges. 

“In bringing together students from 12 different academic colleges, the Diversity Research Showcase highlights how advancing equity and inclusion is a shared responsibility, no matter the field of study,” said Erika Crews, the MSU Honors College director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

“This multidisciplinary collaboration reflects the power of diverse perspectives to drive meaningful change and celebrates the innovative research happening across the university,” Crews said.

Thanks to generous donations from program sponsors, monetary prizes from $150-$750 were awarded to top presenters in the oral and poster categories. Students were recognized for their research at an awards ceremony and reception following the presentations.  

Mapp was awarded $300 for her work.