Students earn top awards for exceptional research presentations at this year’s Fulton Conference - BYU College of Family, Home, and Social SciencesSkip to main content
On Thursday, April 10, the floor of the Wilkinson Center Ballroom was transformed into a space of academic learning and discourse during this semester’s Mary Lou Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference.
Hosted semiannually by The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, this event highlighted the innovative research of its 304 undergraduate and 81 graduate presenters.
With the help of their 113 mentors, each participating student prepared research that was evaluated by faculty judges. This year, 54 winners were selected across the college’s nine departments for their impressive work.
Brik Royce, a junior studying sociology, conducted his research on whether counseling has a significant effect on depressive symptoms causing screen time with the help of his mentor, Lance Erickson.
“He helped me work through the theoretical framework of my question and narrow it down to where it needed to be. He also helped teach me the skills and knowledge to interpret all my findings,” says Royce referring to his mentor.
This year’s conference also featured a new center for BYU’s upcoming Sesquicentennial titled, Becoming BYU.
Eliza Hammari presented her research titled “Urban Heat islands Across Major U.S. Cities and the Relationship Between Surface Temperature and Socioeconomic Status” as part of the new center.
As a first-time presenter, the geography junior described her experience as one of learning and growth. “It has been awesome to see other students and connect with them through our research focuses,” says Hammari.
After presenting their posters in the morning, student researchers, faculty mentors, university leaders, and college supporters gathered for lunch in the Garden Court. During the meal, a short program celebrated the collaborative efforts between mentors and students and announced the recipients of this year’s conference awards.
Dean Laura Padilla-Walker also addressed the group, discussing the college’s unique opportunity for publishing mentored research. “Mentored research is just one of many ways—but an important way—that our students are able to engage in inspiring learning. We feel that the opportunities students have to engage with faculty research is a real strength of the programs that we offer.”
The Dean then recognized the contributions of donors, specifically Brent and Cheri Andrus, who offer resources and financial support to fund research projects and student research assistants such as those who participate in the Mary Lou Fulton Conference.
Some of that funding went to the increased financial rewards for students who won within their respective departments and centers as well as to those whose posters were voted for by student attendees. A complete list of winning projects appears below, and all research presentations are available to view online at fultonconference.byu.edu.
Participating in the conference has many benefits for students. Simply going through the research process and organizing the information in a presentable format, and then talking to others about the research probably brings the biggest benefit. But, as noted, students can win cash prizes. All student presenters with major in the college also become eligible for up to $250 to assist with graduate school application fees.
Talk to your professors about how to participate in future conferences or discover more about the process online. The next conference is Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Undergraduate Awards
Award
Presenter(s)
Mentor(s)
Title
Anthropology
1st
Juliana Merkley
David Johnson
Fossilized Through Life and Death: An Analysis of Fossils as Votive Offerings in Nabataean Burial Ritual
2nd
Rae Larson
David Johnson
Typologies: A Case Study of Petra Jordan Tomb Facades
It's Not All Bad: Covid-19 and Marital Satisfaction
Geography
1st
Jeremy Bennett, Adam Carsner
Grayson Morgan
A Predictive Model for Fremont Trade Routes
2nd
Samuel Badal, Dallin Hartsell
Grayson Morgan
Submarine Cable Vulnerability
History
1st
Connie Vance
Jay Buckley
Petals of Resistance: a Florist's Fight Against Wartime Bias
2nd
Dawson Muranaka
Aaron Skabelund
Topaz in Memory: The Evolving Representation of Topaz Internment Camp
3rd
Travis Ashby, Kathryn Blau
Aaron Skabelund
"Because We Shared Topaz": Shared Identity and Interracial Memory of an Internment Camp School
Political Science
1st
Mary Moody
Celeste Beesley
Under Threat, Overwhelmed: How National Security Crises Impact Support for Right-Wing Populism
2nd
Kendra Pinegar
Darin Self
Democracy: Lost in Translation? Measuring Perceptions and Support for Democracy
3rd
Laura Pacheco
Chris Karpowitz
How does Partisanship Influence Views on Teaching Abut Racism
4th
Shari Franke
Darin Self
Do Polarizing Strategies Actually Help Opposition Parties? Sometimes, it Pays Off
Psychology
1st
Hannah Fell, Quinn Mitchell, Jackson Wolfer
Bob Ridge
Mind Games: The Immediate emotional consequence of gaslighting
2nd
Meg Elvidge, Elsa Longhurst
Jared Warren
The Effects of Awe and Wonder on Well-Being: A Pilot Study
3rd
Jonah Burch, Abigail Christensen, Ryan Cluff, Braden Fairbanks, Zach Flore, Jordan Harmon, Kate Woodruff, Jenson Zaugg
Steven Luke
Personal Biases Fall Short; AI-Generated Images Elicit Greater Preference and Visual Engagement
4th
Jared Miskin, Kaylee Radford
Adriane Cavallini
Anxiety Severity Levels in a Clinical Population: The Role of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Sociology
1st
Hannah Hendricks
Michael Cope
"Please Respect the Balance Between Progress and Protection": Content Analysis of Public Comments Regarding The Bears Ears National Monument Designation
2nd
Tala Alnasser, Rachel Vogelmann
Scott Sanders
On the Sociology of Faith and Culture: Morocco and Spain PEAT Study Abroad
3rd
Merelin Lesovska
Eric Dahlin
Developing a GPT for Program and Product Design in Low-income Communities
4th
Jane Henderson, Zander Kahuhu, Emma Roverts
Ben Gibbs
CLASS CROSSED LOVERS: THE INFLUENCE OF CLASS DIFFERENCES IN MARRIAGE ON PARENTING
Graduate Awards
Award
Presenter(s)
Mentor(s)
Title
Anthropology
1st
Rufus Pearce
Jacob Hickman, Jenny Pulsipher
"Go and Kill Them": The Extermination of the Timpanogos
Family Life
1st
Sofia Suxo-Sanchez
Ashley LeBaron Black
Financial Captain: How Locus of Control Bridges Financial Socialization and Self-Efficacy
2nd
Khiara Cardoza, Rylie Speirs
Sarah Coyne, Ashley Larsen, Joseph Olsen, Jeremy Yorgason
The COVID Catalyst: Did the Pandemic Transform Gender Attitudes?
3rd
Chenae Duerden
Sarah Coyne
Digital Pacifiers: The Longitudinal Influence of Using Media to Regulate Children's Emotions
4th
Julia Christensen
Shayne Anderson
The Relationship Between Therapeutic Alliance, Relationship Satisfaction, and Presenting Problem Severity in Heterosexual Couples
Psychology
1st
Anna Wheeler
Michael Larson
Executive Functioning Following a Randomized Controlled Trial of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury
Social Work
1st
Isabel Larisch, Carter Reeves
Joseph Olsen, David Wood
Life Fulfillment, Post Traumatic Stress, and Suicide Risk Among Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technicians
2nd
Mary Broadbent
Joseph Olsen, Stacey Shaw
Strength in Community: Social Support, Emotional Regulation, and Easing Distress in Syrian Refugee Women in Türkiye
3rd
Macy Paxton
Gordon Limb
Parental Enculturation and Ethnic Identity Development in Native American Adoptees and Youth in Foster Care
4th
Sierra Gray
Steven Hoffman
Opening Doors: Parental Involvement and Youth Mental Health Help-Seeking in Mexico
Sociology
1st
Greta Asay
Melissa S Jones
School Connectedness and Delinquency: Examining Gender Differences
Center Awards
Award
Presenter(s)
Mentor(s)
Title
Belonging and Diversity
1st
Camden Carter, Parker Davis
Quin Monson
Religious and Political Identity Conflict Among Black Latter-day Saints
2nd
Ellie Mitchell
Lisa Argyle, Ethan Busby, Joshua Gubler, Christ Karpowitz, Jessica Preece
How Gender and Context Shape Persuasion
3rd
Lacey Paulsen
Jane Lopez
Pathways of Privilege: How Advantage Drives Identity & Worldview Formation for Utah Immigrants
4th
Emma Bills, Beth Mitchell, Nicoline Roberts
Jon Felt
Captured in Light: Helen Snow's Compassionate Portrayal of Women and Children in Yunnan
Civic Engagement
1st
Sam Lee
Brigham Randsen
Culster-Robust Variance Estimators for Instrumental Variables: Theory and Application for Assessing the Legislative Role of Women in Reducing Carbon Emissions
2nd
AbiWagner, Cara Wilkey
Aaron Skabelund
The Hidden Crisis: Senior Malnutrition in Utah County
3rd
Martha Bown, Carley Flake, Lana Ostaszewski
Jeff Nokes
Bridging the Gap Between Critical Thinking and Civic Action Through Semi-Structured Civics Inquiries in Social Studies Classrooms
4th
Asia Reid
Michael Barber
Signed, Sealed Delivered: Analyzing the Individual Mobilizing Effect of Vote-by-Mail in Utah's Municipal Elections
Gerontology
1st
Jaime Dick
Jeremy Yorgason
Assessing Ageism in Media Coverage of the 2024 Election
2nd
Eliza Brooks
Michael Larson
Impact of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on Executive Function in Older Adults
NEW! Becoming BYU
1st
Parker Peterson
Ruth Kerry
Social Gaps & Urban Divides: How Social Factors Shape Economic Disadvantage in American Cities
2nd
Camille Elder
Ashley Fraser
Children's Observed Hope Predicts Parents' Goal-Coaching and Authoritative Parenting Style: A Child-Centered Approach
3rd
Isaiah Bates, Cambria Hayes
John Hoffmann
Parent Family Variables and Cyberbullying
4th
Daniel Boggess, Savannah Lowe, Sofia Suxo-Sanchez
Sarah Coyne, Ashley LeBaron Black, Adam Rogers
More Than Just a Money Mindset: Socioeconomic Status as a Barrier to Financial Socialization Success
Redd Center
1st
Travis Ashby, Kathryn Blau
Aaron Skabelund
The Ram-bler: A Space for Student Dissent in the Topaz
2nd
Travis Ashby, Kathryn Blau
Aaron Skabelund
"Because We Shared Topaz": Shared Identity and Interracial Memory of an Internment Camp School
3rd
Hannah Hendricks
Michael Cope
"Please Respect and Balance Between Progress and Protection": Content Analysis of Public Comments Regarding The Bears Ears National Monument Designation
4th
Alexa Merrill
Michael Cope, Carol Ward
Let Utah Manage Whose Land?
Winners Photo Gallery
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0 Brent & Cheri Andrus- Award of Appreciation-(web).jpg
Brent and Cheri Andrus pose with President Shane Reese after receiving an Award of Appreciation.
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0Anthropology 1st Winner-(web).jpg
Graduate student Rufus Pearce poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and his mentor Jacob Hickman for their 1st place award in Anthropology.
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1 Chenae Duerden-(web).jpg
Graduate student Chenae Duerden poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Sarah Coyne for their 3rd place award in the School of Family Life
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2 Khiara Cardoza- Rylie Speirs- Jeremy Yorgason- Sarah Coyne- Ashley Larsen- Joseph Olsen-(web).jpg
Graduate students Khiara Cardoza and Rylie Speirs pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and their mentors Sarah Coyne and Jeremy Yorgason for their 2nd place award in the School of Family Life
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3 Sofia Suxo-Sanchez - - Ashley LeBaron Black-(web).jpg
Graduate student Sofia Suxo-Sanchez poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Ashley LeBaron Black for their 1st place award in the School of Family Life
6 of 48
4 Anna Wheeler- Michael Larson-(web).jpg
Graduate student Anna Wheeler poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Michael Larson for their 1st place award in Psychology
7 of 48
5 Macy Paxton- Gordon Limb-(web).jpg
Macy Paxton poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Gordon Limb for their 3rd place award in Social Work
8 of 48
7 Carter Reeves- Isabel LARISCH- David Wood- Joseph Olsen-(web).jpg
Graduate student Carter Reeves poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, for his 1st place award in Social Work. (Not pictured: Isabel Larisch and David Wood)
9 of 48
6 Sierra Gray- Steven Hoffman-(web).jpg
Graduate student Sierra Gray poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for her 4th place award in Social Work.
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8 Rae Larson- David Johnson-(web).jpg
Rae Larson poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for her 2nd place award in Anthropology
Conner Wilkinson, Josh Nicholis, Bryson Mumford, Maxwell Dunbar, and Britton Davis pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and their mentor Joe Price for their 1st place award in Economics
12 of 48
Abi Wagner- Cara Wilkey- Aaron Skabelund-(web).jpg
Abi Wagner and Cara Wilkey pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for their 2nd place award in Civic Engagement
Aubrielle Miner, Hailey Stoddard, Brooke Baugh and Emma Roberts pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and their mentor Jeremy Yorgason for their 4th place award in the School of Family Life. (Not pictured Kegan Adams)
14 of 48
Alexa Merrill- Michael Cope- Carol Ward-(web).jpg
Alexa Merrill poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Michael Cope for their 4th place award for the Charles Redd Center
15 of 48
Asia Reid- Michael Barber-(web).jpg
Asia Reid poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Michael Barber for their 4th place award in Civic Engagement
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Camille Elder- Ashley Fraser-(web).jpg
Graduate student Camille Elder poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Ashley Fraser for their 2nd place award for the Center of Becoming BYU
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Cambria Hayes- Isaiah Bates- John Hoffmann-(web).jpg
Cambria Hayes poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for her 3rd place award for the Center of Becoming BYU and the student choice award for Best Presenter
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Cara Wilkey- Kate Rich- Jocelyn Wikle-(web).jpg
Cara Wilkey and Kate Rich pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for their 1st place award in the School of Family Life
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Carley Flake- Lana Ostaszewski- Martha Bown- Jeff Nokes-(web).jpg
Carley Flake and Lana Ostaszewski pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and their mentor Jeff Nokes for their 3rd place award for the Center of Civic Engagement
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Drake Crapo-(web).jpg
Drake Crapo pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for being an Honorable Mention in Political Science
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Dallin Hartsell- Samuel Badal- Grayson Morgan-(web).jpg
Samuel Badal poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and his mentor Grayson Morgan for their 2nd place award in Geography
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Eliza Brooks- Michael Larson-(web).jpg
Eliza Brooks poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for her 2nd place award for the Center of Gerontology
23 of 48
Ellie Mitchell- Ethan Busby- Chris Karpowitz- Jessica Preece- Joshua Gubler- Lisa Argyle-(web).jpg
Ellie Mitchell poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentors Chris Karpowitz and Joshua Gubler for their 2nd place award in Political Science
24 of 48
Hannah Hendricks- Michael Cope-(web).jpg
Hannah Hendricks poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Michael Cope for their 3rd place award for the Charles Redd Center
Emily Anderson and Lindsey Blake pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for their 3rd place award in the School of Family Life
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Jaime Dick- Jeremy Yorgason-(web).jpg
Graduate student Jaime Dick poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Jeremy Yorgason for their 1st place award for the Center of Gerontology
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Jenna Coleman-(web).jpg
Jenna Coleman poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Andrea Busby for an Honorable Mention for the School of Family Life
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Jordan Harmon- Braden Fairbanks- Abigail Christensen- Jenson Zaugg- Zach Fiore- Jonah Burch- Kate Woodruff- Ryan Cluff- Steven Luke-(web).jpg
Jonah Burch, Abigail Christensen, and Ryan Cluff pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for their 2nd place award in Psychology
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Jeremy Bennett- Adam Carsner- Grayson Morgan-(web).jpg
Jeremy Bennett and Adam Carsner pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Grayson Morgan for their 1st place award in Geography
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Kate Glover- Amanda Nikoline Poulsen- Ada Romney- Cambria Siddoway- Aubrey Tew- Sydnee Hunt- Sarah Coyne-(web).jpg
Cambria Siddoway poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Sarah Coyne for their 1st place award in the School of Family Life
Kathryn Blau and Travis Ashby pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for their 1st and 2nd place awards for the Charles Redd Center.
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Kendra Pinegar- Darin Self-(web).jpg
Kendra Pinegar poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Darin Self for their 2nd place award in Political Science
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Kaylee Radford- Jared Miskin- Adriane Cavallini-(web).jpg
Kaylee Radford and Jared Miskin pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and their mentor Adriane Cavallini for their 4th place award in Psychology
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Lacey Paulsen- Jane Lopez-(web).jpg
Lacey Paulsen poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for her 3rd place award for Belonging and Diversity
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Laura Pacheco- Chris Karpowitz-(web).jpg
Laura Pacheco pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Chris Karpowitz for her 3rd place award in Political Science
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Meg Elvidge- Elsa Longhurst- Jared Warren-(web).jpg
Elsa Longhurst poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for her 2nd place award in Psychology
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Mary Moody- Celeste Beesley-(web).jpg
Mary Moody poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Celeste Beesley for their 1st place award in Political Science
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Nicoline Roberts- Beth Mitchell- Emma Bills- Jon Felt-(web).jpg
Nicoline Roberts pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for her 4th place award in Belonging and Diversity
Parker Davis and Camden Carter pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and their mentor Quin Monson for their 1st place award in Belonging and Diversity
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Quinn Mitchell- Jackson Wolfer- Hannah Feil- Bob Ridge-(web).jpg
Quinn Mitchell and Jackson Wolfer pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for their 1st place award in Psychology
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Parker Peterson- Ruth Kerry-(web).jpg
Parker Peterson pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for his 1st place award for the Center of Becoming BYU
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Quinn Mitchell- Jackson Wolfer- Hannah Feil- Bob Ridge-1-(web).jpg
Jackson Wolfer poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker
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Sam Lee- Brigham Frandsen-(web).jpg
Sam Lee poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for his 1st place award in Civic Engagement
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Sofia Suxo-Sanchez - - Savannah Lowe- Daniel Boggess- Sarah Coyne- Adam Rogers- Ashley LeBaron Black-(web).jpg
Sofia Suxo-Sanchez, Savannah Lowe, and Daniel Boggess pose with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and their mentors Sarah Coyne, Adam Rogers and Ashley LeBaron Black for their 4th place award for the Center of Becoming BYU
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Shari Franke- Darin Self-(web).jpg
Shari Franke poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Darin Self for their 4th place award in Political Science
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Student Choice 3-(web).jpg
Gracie Stokes poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Blake Jones for the student choice award for timeliest topic
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Tala Alnasser- Rachel Vogelmann- Scott Sanders-(web).jpg
Tala Alnasser poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, Dean Laura Padilla-Walker, and her mentor Scott Sanders for their 2nd place award in Sociology
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Student Choice-(web).jpg
Emery Southam poses with President Shane Reese, Academic Vice President Justin Collings, and Dean Laura Padilla-Walker for the student choice award for Most Eye-Catching Poster