Plan to attend these events leading up to and after the Graduate Student Colloquium. Graduate Student Appreciation Week is sponsored by USI's School of Graduate Studies.
Online Event
Join us for a lively round of Graduate Student Appreciation Week Jeopardy! Test your knowledge, challenge your peers, and enjoy a fun virtual game celebrating all things grad life.
Online and On-Campus Event
The Spring 2026 Graduate Student Colloquium highlights the research, scholarship, and creative work of USI graduate students across all programs. Join us to support your peers, connect with faculty, and explore interdisciplinary ideas.
Online Event
Discover how to enhance your CV or resume using AI tools—without losing your authentic voice or professional polish. This session covers best practices for integrating AI into your writing process while ensuring your materials remain genuine, accurate, and uniquely yours.
The Spring 2026 Graduate Student Colloquium highlights the research, scholarship, and creative work of USI graduate students across all programs. Join us to support your peers, connect with faculty, and explore interdisciplinary ideas.
All USI graduate students and the USI community are welcome to attend. Use the button below to join virtually.
Join OnlineThe schedule below will update as presentation titles, times, and locations are finalized.
| Time | Title | Presenter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 p.m. (CT) | Opening Remarks | Dr. Shelly Blunt Provost | |
.png) | 1 p.m. (CT) | Keynote Address | Megan O'Connor Career Coordinator with USI Career Success Center |
| 2 p.m. (CT) | The People as the Fourth Branch of Government | Mindy Youngs |
| 2:30 p.m. (CT) | Institutional Epistemics and the Future of Knowledge Work | Spence Farmer |
| 3 p.m. (CT) | Community Cultural Wealth Among Hispanic Doctoral Students: A Testimonio Study | Frances Rivera |
| 3:30 p.m. (CT) | Mobile Eye Tracking in the Museum: A Visitors Studies Approach | Tina McCalment |
| 4 p.m. (CT) | A Curriculum Deep Dive for the Evansville Museum: The Everyday Lives of Everyday Children During WWII | Emma Brown |
| 4:30 p.m. (CT) | Urban Terminal – A Workforce Ecosystem Cultivating Industrial Expansion | Trista Crudup |
| 5 p.m. (CT) | Closing Remarks | Dr. Michael Dixon Dean |
The schedule below will update as presentation titles, times, and links are finalized.
| Title | Presenter | |
|---|---|---|
| Enhancing Discharge Process Among Travel Nurses to Reduce Hospital Readmissions | Blessing Adekunle | |
| Improving Patient Flow In Outpatient Clinics: An Operational Approach | Saima Batool | |
| Attitudes Toward LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Collegiate Sport: A Qualitative Case Study of Student-Athletes at Two Indiana Institutions | Melody Francois |
| Turning Data Into Decisions: Identifying the True Drivers of Sales Performance | Dhritiman Ghosh |
| Who Are You Becoming? Identity Formation in the Age of AI and LLMs | Corrine Hurt | |
| The Unmeasured Layer: A Framework for the Metric Nobody Is Building | Sabir Khan |
| Evaluating Indiana’s Workforce Ready Grant: A Quantitative Analysis of Enrollment and Certification Outcomes | Jeff Memmer |
| Viability of Esports at the University of Southern Indiana | Eric Reynolds |
| Decoding to Word Mastery: Exploring Eye-Tracking as a Tool for Understanding Reading Processes in a Linguistic Approach to Instruction | Kearney Robinson |
| Intersecting Inequities: War, Poverty, and Educational Access Among Burmese Refugees in The United States, Indianapolis, Indiana | Van Thawng |
| Produce Prescriptions: A Policy Solution for Public Health and Cost Savings | Jennifer Young |
Meet the graduate students sharing their work at the Colloquium. Additional presenters will be added as details are confirmed.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Blessing A., BSN, RN, is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) candidate at the University of Southern Indiana. Her scholarly project focuses on improving discharge education confidence among travel nurses to reduce hospital readmissions. Her work centers on implementing structured, evidence-based discharge education strategies to strengthen nursing confidence and promote quality patient outcomes in acute care settings.
Master of Business Administration
I am Saima Batool. I am doing MBA with concentration in Healthcare Administration. My aim is to excel in my field and to make a positive impact in healthcare industry. I hope to improve my critical thinking and gain analytical skills in my master's program to bring a positive change in healthcare industry.
Master of Science in Education
Hello, I am Emma Brown and I have worked in education for the last five years, gaining irreplaceable field experience. I have worked with many grades but have a huge heart and passion for K-5 students. I have completly fallen in love with interventions and curriculum which has led me to pursue my masters in curriculum and instruction. I strive to make my teaching environment one that fosters a love of learning and an urgancy to excell.
Master of Business Administration
Trista L. Crudup is an MBA candidate in Engineering Management at the University of Southern Indiana and a seasoned engineering consultant with over 20 years of experience in advanced manufacturing, automation, and clean energy workforce development. She has led large-scale initiatives across industry, government, and nonprofit sectors, including her current role supporting workforce programs at Argonne National Laboratory. Trista is the founder of Urban Terminal, a workforce-centered industrialization model focused on building scalable training ecosystems that align with modern manufacturing and energy technologies. Her work bridges engineering innovation with workforce strategy to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and create inclusive, career-connected pathways in high-growth industries.
Master of Business Administration
Spence Farmer is an Instructional Designer at the University of Southern Indiana, where he partners with faculty to build engaging online courses. A recipient of the 2023 IACTE Outstanding Future Educator Award, he brings experience in teaching, training, and project management to his work in advancing accessible, high-impact learning. Spence is committed to shaping the future of online education through thoughtful, learner-centered design.
Master of Science in Sport Management
Melody Francois is a graduate student pursuing her Master’s degree in Sport Management. A dedicated leader and advocate for student involvement, she reinstated the SPTM Club during her junior and senior years of college and went on to serve as its president, helping rebuild and strengthen the organization’s presence on campus. Passionate about athletics and mentorship, Melody also coaches junior high girls’ basketball, where she focuses on skill development, teamwork, and empowering young athletes both on and off the court. She is committed to growing within the sports industry while making a positive impact in her community.
Master of Business Administration
Dhritiman Ghosh is an MBA candidate at the University of Southern Indiana with a professional background spanning more than twelve years in scientific research, data-driven analysis, and cross-functional leadership. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil and Molecular Microbiology and has worked extensively in agricultural R&D, commercial analytics, and product strategy. His graduate work focuses on applying statistical modeling and data-driven decision frameworks to real-world business problems. Dhritiman is passionate about transforming complex datasets into actionable insights that support strategic decision-making in science-driven industries.
Doctor of Education
Corrine Hurt is a doctoral candidate in Pedagogical Leadership at USI and holds an MBA in Data Analytics. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and strategic communication, her work examines how propaganda, misinformation, and emerging technologies shape identity, belief formation, and civic engagement. Her research focuses on the intersection of education, political influence, and digital media, with particular attention to how systems of power are reinforced through algorithmic and AI-driven communication. Her work has been published in The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, Reframe's Journal of Education and Training Studies, and more!
Doctor of Education
Sabir is a strategy practitioner working in enterprise operations within a Fortune 500 disability insurance environment. His professional focus is on translating measurement and analytical frameworks into operational decisions across international teams and multi-million-dollar initiatives. His academic interest lies in understanding how incentives, constraints, and uncertainty shape leadership judgment in complex systems. We're pleased to have him as part of a community focused on advancing both research and practice.
Doctor of Education
Tina McCalment is an Independent Museum Professional and researcher. She has a Masters Degree in Arts Administration from IU and an EdD from the University of Southern Indiana.
Doctor of Education
Jeffrey W. Memmer is a workforce development professional with a background in advanced manufacturing, continuous improvement, and technical training systems. He served in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power Program as a submarine electrician in reactor plant operations. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Indiana, where his research focuses on workforce policy and credential attainment outcomes. He holds an MBA from Indiana University and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.
Master of Science in Sport Management
I am currently a graduate student working towards my Master of Sport Management degree from the University of Southern Indiana. I graduated from USI in the Spring of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management with a Concentration in Intercollegiate Athletics. I am working as a Graduate Assistant In the Sports Communication sector of the USI Athletic Department. In addition to this, I am also the President of the Esports Program at USI. Under my leadership, the Esports program has reached heights that it had never reached in both campus notoriety and roster size. We have also fielded multiple national tournament level esports teams.
Educational Leadership Certificate (EdS)
Frances Rivera is a Doctor of Education student in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Indiana, expected to graduate in 2028. Her research examines how Hispanic doctoral students leverage community cultural wealth to persist and thrive in educational leadership programs. Frances also serves as a Special Projects Coordinator at Indianapolis Public Schools, supporting students with diverse learning needs and promoting inclusive educational practices.
Doctor of Education
Kearney Robinson is a doctoral student in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Indiana. Her research focuses on reading development, effective literacy instruction, dyslexia, and the ongoing development of the Robinson Reading System.
Doctor of Education
My name is Van Thawng, and I am based in Greenwood, Indiana. I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration, with an anticipated completion date of Spring 2027. My academic interests center on advancing equitable access, student success, and institutional effectiveness within higher education. In addition to my doctoral studies, I am actively involved in coaching volleyball at both the club level and within a high school boys program. This work allows me to mentor student-athletes, foster leadership development, and support personal growth beyond the classroom.
Master of Public Administration
Jennifer M. Young is a final-term Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at the University of Southern Indiana, set to complete her degree this summer before beginning her Master of Social Work (MSW) this fall. A recipient of the USI Student Collaboration Award, Jennifer is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) with a Master of Health Administration (MHA). She currently serves as an investigator for IRB Project [2387617-2], focusing on Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs. As a Health Promotion Specialist and CNA, Jennifer is dedicated to addressing health disparities through community-based policy. Her research on Produce Prescription Programs reflects her career goal of utilizing her dual expertise in public administration and social work to transition from reactive healthcare models to proactive, legislative solutions that address the social determinants of health.
Master of Public Administration
Mindy Youngs is an experienced community builder and social services professional who is working to complete a master's in public administration this summer. She has goals of working towards research, teaching and community empowerment and would appreciate your feedback on this crash course presentation in civic engagement.
The School of Graduate Studies is excited to partner with Megan O’Connor from USI’s Career Success Center to launch a special Career Excellence Series during Graduate Student Appreciation Week. Throughout the week, we will release new, focused video content designed to support USI graduate students as they explore new job opportunities, strengthen their professional skills, and advance in their careers. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to empowering graduate students with practical tools, expert insights, and meaningful guidance as they take their next steps forward.
| Title | Drop Date | Downloads |
|---|---|---|
| Your AI CoPilot Career Toolkit | Monday, April 6th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) |
| Creating an Impactful Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Monday, April 6th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |
| Building Your Graduate-Level Resume & Cover Letter | Tuesday, April 7th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |
| LinkedIn Optimization | Tuesday, April 7th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |
| Strategic Job Search Techniques | Wednesday, April 8th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |
| Professional Networking | Wednesday, April 8th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |
| Interview Mastery | Thursday, April 9th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |
| Salary Negotiation & Offer Evaluation | Thursday, April 9th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |
| Beyond Your Borders | Friday, April 10th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |
| Your Degree, Your Moment | Friday, April 10th at 8 a.m. (ct) | Watch (YouTube ►) Guide (pdf ↥) Slide Deck (pdf ↥) |