Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</h1> <article> <h1>Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:36:24 +0000</p> <span>Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T13:36:24-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 13:36">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:36</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) has given Tanisha Shende ’26 the tools to grow not only as a computer science researcher but also as a caring and civic-minded researcher.</p><p>Shende entered 91ֱ�� as a <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG Scholar</a>. Run by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), the STRONG Scholars Program provides first-year students with specialized mentoring and resources to help them adapt to and thrive in their STEM journey. As her first research endeavor, Shende spent her first-year winter term in a computational astrophysics lab with Professor Jillian Scudder.</p><p>Soon after, Shende earned a research role with XR Access, a Cornell Tech initiative that aims to make virtual reality programs more accessible for people with disabilities. There, she found a deeper sense of purpose in the human impact of her work.</p><p>Shende continued her journey as a computer science researcher during her second year, where she clarified her interest in making technologies such as AI more accessible across sectors. One of her projects was designing a generative AI program to make visual art more accessible to blind and low vision (BLV) users, which led her to publish a paper and present at the 2024 AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence.</p><p>At 91ֱ��, where she’s majoring in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science">computer science</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics">mathematics</a>, Shende is active in the undergraduate research community. She joined BRANCHES as a community leader, helping to create inclusive programming and support networks for STEM students. She later became a research ambassador for OUR, guiding students as they entered the undergraduate research space.</p><p>Shende also utilized resources from the <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development (CED) office</a> to expand her understanding of technology from policy and economic viewpoints. She worked with the U.S. State Department’s Diplomacy Lab and served as a student delegate to the Athens Democracy Forum, examining AI and other technologies from the perspective of governance and public policy.</p><p>In addition, Shende volunteers at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, where she supports adult learners navigating barriers such as childcare and technology access. “I am building a provider–service database and prototyping a web platform and Large Language Model-based assistant that guides learners toward appropriate programs and enables smoother, more accountable handoffs.”</p><p>Shende was selected as a Goldwater Scholar and spent last summer at the MIT Summer Research Program in the Media Lab. “Altogether, my CELA experiences have grounded my academic journey in purpose, equity, and community. They shaped the researcher I am now and the one I hope to become as I move into graduate study and work at the intersection of technology, policy, and society.”</p><p>Shende is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Computer science and math major Tanisha Shende ’26 combines high-level AI research with global policy to create equitable technology.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-23T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Finding Confidence and Community Through 91ֱ��’s Bonner Scholars Program</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:05:03 +0000</p> <span>Finding Confidence and Community Through 91ֱ��’s Bonner Scholars Program</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T13:05:03-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 13:05">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:05</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Erica Vu ’26 credits the <a href="/bcsl/programs/bonner-scholars">Bonner Scholars Program</a> within the <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> with helping her find her confidence, her community, and her sense of purpose at 91ֱ��.</p><p>As a Bonner Scholar, Vu has taken on a wide range of volunteer projects and leadership roles while at 91ֱ��. Since her first semester, she has committed much of her time to the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (NOYO). There, she learned the behind-the-scenes logistics of orchestral performances and eventually took on a new role as a production assistant. “While it was a lot of work, I saw that I have the potential to be a leader and that I am a valued asset to my work environment,” she says.</p><p>Vu also spent a summer working as a camp counselor at the Teen Action Support Center in Northwest Arkansas. “I worked with a team of social work graduate students to provide a free summer program for teens ages 13-17 within the probation system, allowing them to gain new, enriching experiences,” she says. 91ֱ��’s <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development (CED) office</a> helped her fine-tune her resume, draft a cover letter, and prepare for her interview as she pursued this role.</p><p>Seeking an opportunity beyond the Bonner Program, Vu applied for funding through CED’s <a href="/career/set/internship-plus">Internship+ Program</a> to volunteer with 91ֱ��’s Legion Garden. With that support, she spent a summer living on campus and volunteering full time at the garden.</p><p>Vu is also deeply involved in 91ֱ��’s undergraduate research community. A mathematics major, she conducts research on campus and serves on the <a href="/clear/tutoring/branches-community-leaders">BRANCHES</a> team, helping to plan inclusive events that connect STEM students with research and career opportunities. She also serves on the Bonner leadership team. “My college adventure would not have been as fulfilling without the community that I was introduced to as a Bonner.”</p><p>Vu continues to volunteer at NOYO as the production assistant manager and checks in often with her friends at Legion Garden. After graduating, she plans to continue working in the nonprofit sector. “Uplifting, engaging, encouraging, and working with my community to empathetically strive for a better world isn’t what many people think of when they hear about math majors, but I want to challenge myself to change that narrative.”</p><p>Vu is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By pairing mathematics research with hands-on nonprofit leadership and youth mentorship, Erica Vu ’26 is charting a community-centered path beyond 91ֱ��.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-23T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Formulating a Future: Finding a Calling in Pharmaceutical Science</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:19:00 +0000</p> <span>Formulating a Future: Finding a Calling in Pharmaceutical Science</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T13:19:00-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 13:19">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:19</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> helped Alex Xie ’26 build a strong background in undergraduate chemistry research and clarify her post-graduate plans.</p><p>As a second-year student, Xie secured her first research experience at 91ֱ�� working with Professor Anthony Allen in his chemistry lab during winter term. “That experience gave me a good sense of what it was like to work in a lab, and I enjoyed building off of the organic chemistry I had learned in class,” she says.</p><p>After gaining initial research experience, Xie applied to the 91ֱ�� Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (OSURF) program, which provides stipends for students conducting summer research on campus. The OSURF program is now known as the <a href="/oberlin-summer-research-institute-fellowship">91ֱ�� Summer Research Institute Fellowship</a>. As an OSURF fellow, Xie dedicated additional time to research in a lab mentored by Professor Will Parsons. That summer, she honed and diversified her skills in the laboratory and beyond. “I learned many new research techniques through this project, but I also improved my skills in other areas such as reading scientific literature and preparing presentations.”</p><p>Xie’s success in the OSURF program motivated her to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship after receiving a nomination from 91ֱ��. In applying, she reflected more deeply on her goals and found that guidance from the <a href="/fellowships">Fellowships Office</a> strengthened her materials. ”I had come into 91ֱ�� wanting to pursue a PhD, but it had been more of a distant goal,” she says. ”Applying for the Goldwater Scholarship helped cement that goal into something more definitive and made me think about my future career plans after graduate school.”</p><p>Xie later applied to and was accepted into the Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Emory University. “At Emory, I was mentored by a graduate student and conducted chemical biology research,” she says. “Experiencing research at an R1 institution and seeing what a graduate student’s life is like further solidified my desire to go to graduate school.”</p><p>Each of these undergraduate experiences, facilitated by CELA and its offices and programs, has helped Xie develop a clear vision for her future. After graduating from 91ֱ��, she plans to pursue a PhD in chemistry and become a pharmaceutical research scientist.</p><p>Xie is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Through lab research, fellowships, and national scholarships, Alex Xie ’26 is preparing for a PhD and a future in science.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-23T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4265">Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>From Capitol Hill to Mellon Mays: A Journey in Engaged Scholarship</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:52:57 +0000</p> <span>From Capitol Hill to Mellon Mays: A Journey in Engaged Scholarship</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T12:52:57-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 12:52">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:52</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>With guidance and resources from the <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a>, Aina Tasso ’27 has drawn meaningful connections between her coursework and community engagement, learning how best to serve the causes that matter most to her.</p><p>Before coming to 91ֱ��, Tasso was selected for the <a href="/bcsl/programs/bonner-scholars">Bonner Scholars Program</a>, 91ֱ��’s community service scholarship program that mentors undergraduate students as they develop as leaders and agents of change in their communities and beyond. As a Bonner Scholar, Tasso volunteered with the 91ֱ�� City School District through the America Reads/Counts Program, tutoring students in grades K–9 in math. She also worked with the El Centro Volunteer Initiative, which connects 91ֱ�� students, faculty, and community members with Latine residents in Lorain County through community engagement and educational outreach.</p><p>Tasso later continued her commitment to service through a <a href="/career/set/wt">winter term micro-internship</a> in the U.S. Congress, where she advocated for Somali refugees in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District. Another winter term micro-internship took her to Medellín, Colombia, where she studied peace processes and justice through sustainability initiatives.</p><p>Wanting to dive deeper into her coursework on the experiences of Afro-Latine women in higher education, Tasso applied to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. Mellon Mays fellows receive two years of close mentorship to pursue research in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Tasso’s project focuses on raising awareness and education about the Afro-Peruvian community.</p><p>Through her combined coursework, service, and research, Tasso has grown to understand the value of co-curricular experiences as she prepares for a life and career in community stewardship. “While having access to knowledge on a wide variety of topics is enriching, being able to apply them in a tangible way allows me to see the impact of a well-rounded education,” she says. “My time at 91ֱ�� and my engagement with different CELA offices have also made me realize that theory without application does nothing, but action without information can harm the people you are working with.</p><p>“The opportunities I have gotten through CELA have allowed me to see the real-world applications of theories I’ve learned in various classes,” she adds. “These experiences not only allow me to build upon and improve my skills, but also to contribute meaningfully to the organizations that I am a part of.”</p><p>After 91ֱ��, Tasso, who has a double major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/law-and-society">law and society </a>and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/hispanic-studies">Hispanic studies</a>, plans to pursue a PhD and continue engaging with social issues as both an academic and a public servant.</p><p>Tasso is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Blending community-based service, international experiential learning, and Mellon Mays research, Aina Tasso ’27 is building a future rooted in scholarship and community engagement.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-23T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2402">Winter Term</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2376">Study Away</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/law-and-society" hreflang="und">Law and Society</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/hispanic-studies" hreflang="und">Hispanic Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Connecting Hawaiian Identity and Global Advocacy</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:39:16 +0000</p> <span>Connecting Hawaiian Identity and Global Advocacy</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T11:39:16-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 11:39">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 11:39</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Through her work with 91ֱ��'s <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a>, Isabel Handa ’26 has bridged her Hawaiian identity with her academic and research pursuits.</p><p>Handa began her undergraduate research journey after being awarded a <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/mmuf">Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF)</a>. The MMUF identifies and supports selected students in the humanities and humanistic social sciences through two years of mentored research. As a Mellon Mays fellow, Handa explored Hawaiian diasporic wellbeing through health and sovereignty frameworks.</p><p>Handa later utilized CELA’s <a href="/study-away">study away resources</a> to study at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, where she deepened her research by taking courses in Māori and Pacific Studies. “I realized that I wanted to use my research to advocate for resourcing community initiatives and to engage more directly with community advocacy work,” she says. “I want to identify community needs in the continental U.S. Hawaiian diaspora and create visibility for diaspora Kānaka voices, experiences, and issues.”</p><p>To expand upon her research interests, Handa received funding through the Career Exploration and Development office’s <a href="/career/set/internship-plus">Internship+ Program</a>, which supports third-year students pursuing summer experiential learning opportunities. She worked for a Hawaiian nonprofit, where she learned about community organizing, grant writing, and fiscal sponsorship in the nonprofit sector.</p><p>Handa, who majors in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/art-history">art history</a>, later received an award from the Puko’a Fellows Program, a fellowship supporting Pacifika students living in the Hawaiian diaspora. “Through this project, I have been able to apply my personal research findings to diaspora community initiatives.”</p><p>As she applied to PhD programs to continue her research, guidance from the Mellon Mays program helped Handa craft and strengthen her application materials, from her essays to her curriculum vitae. “Through my engagement with CELA’s programs, I have realized that I want to pursue research that works alongside community advocacy and carry out these goals through experience in community organizations.”</p><p>Handa is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Blending Mellon Mays research, study in New Zealand, and hands-on nonprofit work, Isabel Handa ’26 is shaping a PhD path grounded in diasporic advocacy and community partnership.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-22T12:00:00Z">Sun, 03/22/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2402">Winter Term</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2376">Study Away</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/art-history" hreflang="und">Art History</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Exploring Identity and Research Pathways Through CELA</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:52:57 +0000</p> <span>Exploring Identity and Research Pathways Through CELA</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T13:52:57-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 13:52">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:52</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Katelyn Liu ’26 has used opportunities through the <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> to clarify her academic interests and solidify her long-term career goals. Supported by consistent mentorship and resources, her journey highlights the power of undergraduate research.</p><p>Liu began her time at 91ֱ�� exploring Asian and Asian American experiences, which guided her first two winter term projects. She later applied to the <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/mmuf">Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship</a> (MMUF), proposing research centering around Asian and Asian American asexualities. The fellowship provides selected students with two years of mentored research experience in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. </p><p>As a Mellon Mays Fellow, Liu participated in the <a href="/undergraduate-research/osri">91ֱ�� Summer Research Institute (OSRI)</a>, where she spent the summer on campus working intensively on her project. “OSRI’s programming guided me as I undertook research for the first time,” she says. “By the end of the program, I felt a significant growth in my writing and presentation skills.”</p><p>With support from 91ֱ��’s <a href="/study-away">Study Away</a> office, Liu spent her spring 2025 semester in Amsterdam. There, she expanded her research by conducting interviews with asexual East Asian Dutch people. “Something that shocked me during my time abroad was the unique ways in which East Asian Dutch people were marginalized as perceived foreigners to a much greater extent than in the U.S.,” she says.</p><p>Liu also utilized funding from Career Exploration and Development’s <a href="/career/set/internship-plus">Internship+ program</a>, which allowed her to participate in the University of Chicago’s Summer Research Training Program. Additional support from the Jerome Davis Research Award helped fund her compensation and other expenses.</p><p>After 91ֱ��, Liu hopes to pursue a PhD in sociology to continue her research and teach at a university. “CELA’s support and resources have greatly guided me and shaped my undergraduate trajectory,” she says. “Without CELA’s guidance, I would have never realized that I wanted to pursue a career in academia.”</p><p>Liu is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Through Mellon Mays research, global study, and funded summer programs, Katelyn Liu ’26 is connecting sociology and identity.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-22T12:00:00Z">Sun, 03/22/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2376">Study Away</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/gsfs" hreflang="und">Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>How CELA and CLEAR Empower Biochemistry Research</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:24:30 +0000</p> <span>How CELA and CLEAR Empower Biochemistry Research</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T11:24:30-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 11:24">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 11:24</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> fosters a community where students connect academic learning with real-world application. For Julia Ludwig ’27, that community has helped her build meaningful experiences beyond the classroom, form lasting friendships, and give back whenever possible.</p><p>In her first year at 91ֱ��, Ludwig joined a research lab for her winter term project. “What was meant to be a short-term project became the longest and most transformative research experience of my undergraduate career,” she says. “I was trusted to shape questions, interpret unexpected results, and follow curiosity where it led.”</p><p>Conducting research at 91ֱ�� gave Ludwig the foundation and confidence to seek out opportunities at other institutions. During a summer research experience at Ohio State University, using the skills she gained in 91ֱ�� research communities, including the 91ֱ�� Summer Research Institute, she felt empowered to help cultivate a collaborative dynamic among her new peers. “Having come from an environment where friendship and teamwork meant the same thing, I was able to adapt well and connect with others, motivating graduate students and lab leaders to celebrate their successes outside of the lab,” she says.</p><p>Through leadership roles within CELA, Ludwig has given back to the community that shaped her values. <a href="/clear">The Center for Learning, Education, and Research in the Sciences (CLEAR)</a> creates an inclusive and welcoming environment for students interested in STEM fields. As a CLEAR mentor, Ludwig supported fellow students in STEM courses. Later, as a CLEAR coordinator, she oversaw new cohorts of mentors and helped them grow into their roles. “Over time, I discovered that my greatest strength was not only achieving goals but also empowering people to uplift themselves and find solutions.”</p><p>Ludwig is grateful for how CELA has strengthened both her academic confidence and her sense of purpose. “I found something transformative in 91ֱ��’s academic rigor and culture of cooperation.”</p><p>After 91ֱ��, Ludwig, who majors in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry">biochemistry</a>, plans to pursue an MD-PhD, with the goal of bridging clinical insight with biochemical and neurobiological research.</p><p>Ludwig is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Through hands-on research, peer mentorship, and leadership in CLEAR, Julia Ludwig ’27 is preparing for a future at the intersection of medicine and neurobiological science.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-22T12:00:00Z">Sun, 03/22/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2594">CLEAR</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4075">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4265">Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience" hreflang="und">Neuroscience</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>From Ninde Tutor to Future Pediatrician</h1> <p>kviancou — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:56:54 +0000</p> <span>From Ninde Tutor to Future Pediatrician</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-13T13:56:54-04:00" title="Friday, March 13, 2026 - 13:56">Fri, 03/13/2026 - 13:56</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">The Center for Engaged Liberal Arts</a> (CELA) has helped Ellie Pollock-Ballard ’26 refine her goals of becoming a pediatrician and volunteering in the nonprofit sector.</p><p>With support from 91ֱ��'s <a href="/bcsl">Bonner Center</a>, Pollock-Ballard, a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology">biology</a> major, obtained her first volunteer role with the Ninde Scholars Program. As a Ninde tutor, she worked one-on-one with high school students in the 91ֱ�� City School District. “Working with my scholars at the local high school has helped me uncover my desire to work with youth and support them in pursuing their endeavors,” she says.</p><p>Pollock-Ballard later volunteered as a tutor with the America Counts program, where she worked with local elementary school students. In this role, she expanded her mentorship experience to younger learners.</p><p>Further developing her passion for service, Pollock-Ballard spent a winter term volunteering with 91ֱ�� Community Services (OCS). There, she learned how the needs of different communities vary and was inspired to continue serving beyond her four weeks.</p><p>During a summer internship, Pollock-Ballard joined the development team at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio, a nonprofit serving children and families. She balanced day-to-day operational tasks with strategic and logistical work behind the scenes. “It was incredible to see how both sides of the house work together to achieve their mission of ‘keeping families close.’”</p><p>CELA also helped Pollock-Ballard strengthen her interests and skills in medical research. As a fellow in the 91ֱ�� Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (OSURF) program—now known as the <a href="/undergraduate-research/osri">91ֱ�� Summer Research Institute</a> Fellowship—she worked in a developmental biology lab. “Clinical research is a key component of medicine, so it was important to me to gain experience conducting research as an undergraduate to help set myself up for success on my journey to become a physician.”</p><p>During a later winter term, Pollock-Ballard shadowed a pediatrician at a local clinic. This experience reaffirmed her interest in pediatrics and helped her develop practical interpersonal skills essential to the profession. </p><p>Her experiences working with and mentoring children have deepened her sense of purpose. She now plans to pursue a medical degree and become a pediatrician, while continuing her commitment to nonprofit service.</p><p>Pollock-Ballard is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Through hands-on service, nonprofit leadership, and undergraduate research, Ellie Pollock-Ballard ’26 is building a future in pediatric medicine rooted in community care.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-13T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/13/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4064">Biology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</h1> <p>kviancou — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:34:39 +0000</p> <span>Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-11T16:34:39-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - 16:34">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 16:34</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nathaniel Liu ’26 understands why 91ֱ��’s motto, “Learning & Labor,” has stuck around so long: it’s because the <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> connects students’ academic interests with real-world experiences, allowing the two to inform one another as students navigate college and life beyond 91ֱ��.</p><p>Throughout his time at 91ֱ��, Liu has participated in winter term micro-internships, which allow students to gain internship experience and winter term project credit through 91ֱ��-affiliated activities on and off campus. 91ֱ��’s <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development</a> office, within the CELA space, sponsors the program.</p><p>First, Liu apprenticed with an 91ֱ�� alumnus at his sculpture studio in New York City. There, he applied his classroom-based photography and videography skills in a professional, day-to-day context. “I realized that while I enjoyed the work, the lifestyle of a professional artist was not for me. It was a valuable lesson: learning what you don’t want to do is as important as learning what you do.”</p><p>With new career aspirations, Liu pursued another winter term micro-internship, writing articles about climate change for the National Park Service. Although the position was cut short due to political tensions in the U.S., he retained his passion for environmental communication. “I learned that unpredictability is often the price of environmental public service, yet it only solidified my commitment to the field.”</p><p>Next, with guidance and support from CELA’s <a href="/fellowships">Fellowships and Awards</a> office, Liu applied for several prestigious fellowships and ultimately earned the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship for Environmental Studies.</p><p>Overall, CELA has honed Liu’s practical skills and clarified his future plans. “CELA has done more than just provide work experience; it has helped me identify and fill the gaps in my skill set, ensuring my education remains aligned with my professional goals.”</p><p>After graduating, Liu—a triple major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" target="_blank">environmental studies</a>, <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" target="_blank">East Asian studies</a>, and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" target="_blank">politics</a>—plans to pursue a fellowship in Asia. He looks forward to further refining his interests and goals, with the hope of returning to Maine for a long-term career in environmental public service.</p><p>Liu is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Through an arts apprenticeship, climate communication, and a Udall Scholarship, Nathaniel Liu ’26 connects experiential learning with a career in environmental public service.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4074">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>From the Great Lakes to the East Coast: Connecting Research and Service</h1> <p>kviancou — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:19:57 +0000</p> <span>From the Great Lakes to the East Coast: Connecting Research and Service</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-11T16:19:57-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - 16:19">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 16:19</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nyrobi Whitfield ’26 found that learning beyond the classroom through 91ֱ��’s <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for the Engaged Liberal Arts </a>(CELA) has informed her personal values as well as her plans for the future.</p><p>Whitfield began her CELA journey at 91ֱ�� as a member of the <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG</a> and <a href="/bcsl">Bonner Scholars</a> programs, which she cites as integral to establishing a sense of confidence and intentionality in her research pursuits.</p><p>Run by 91ֱ�� Undergraduate Research (OUR), the STRONG Scholars Program provides a specialized first-year experience designed to help students adapt to college and thrive in their STEM journey at 91ֱ��, including early research opportunities, close mentoring from STEM faculty and staff, community building, and academic skill-building for STEM courses.</p><p>Whitfield’s first research experience through STRONG was in Professor Rachel Eveleth’s aquatic science lab. It was there that she connected her passion for swimming with her interest in environmental and geological science, studying the biogeochemistry of the Great Lakes.</p><p>After her first-year research experience at 91ֱ��, Whitfield conducted marine ecology research at UConn Avery Point’s summer program. There, she put classroom material into action, gaining hands-on experience studying coastal environments. “Concepts that once lived only in lecture notes—nutrient cycling, species interactions, environmental gradients—became tangible in the ecosystems I was studying,” she says.</p><p>The Bonner Scholars Program is a four-year scholarship that provides selected students with community service and leadership opportunities. For her Bonner service, Whitfield worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor, which demonstrated to her the value of making a difference in the lives of others through community engagement. Additionally, as an eco rep for the Office of Environmental Sustainability, Whitfield connects her passion for environmental science with real-world event management and campus engagement, further affirming her commitment to service.</p><p>“Together, these two experiences taught me something central to my CELA journey: impact is not only measured by scale, but by intention.”</p><p>Now, Whitfield—who is double-majoring in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences">geoscience</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies">environmental studies</a>—is a research ambassador for OUR. In that role, she helps fellow students forge their own paths through research and community engagement, drawing from her experiences in Bonner, STRONG, and CELA more broadly. “Being a research ambassador feels like the natural extension of everything Bonner and STRONG taught me.</p><p>“Each opportunity taught me something different, yet all reinforced the same lesson: learning extends far beyond the classroom,” she adds. “It happens in community pools, labs, offices, and during late-night conversations—wherever students show up with purpose.”</p><p>After graduating, Whitfield plans to pursue a PhD in marine ecology and a career in climate change research. “My CELA journey has given me the tools, values, and sense of purpose I will carry with me as I begin my post-91ֱ�� path.”</p><p>Whitfield is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">A STRONG Scholar, Bonner Scholar, and research ambassador, Nyrobi Whitfield ’26 blends marine ecology research, community engagement, and experiential learning to shape a career path.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences" hreflang="und">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> </main></body></html>