A Kent State University student takes a
photo of a poster using her phone.
Undergraduate students will showcase
their scholarly work at the Northeast Ohio
Undergraduate Sociology Symposium
taking place at Kent State on March 14.

Kent State University will host the second annual Northeast Ohio Undergraduate Sociology Symposium (NEO-USS) on March 14 at the Kent Student Center. Liz Grauerholz, Ph.D., a sociology professor at the University of Central Florida, will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. The title of her presentation is “The Limits and Promise of Sociology.”

The symposium provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to showcase their scholarly work in one of three ways: panel, roundtable or poster sessions.

Manacy Pai, Ph.D., associate professor in Kent State’s Department of Sociology, says this event gives undergraduate students an opportunity to network with other students and faculty.

“This symposium gives students the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty,” Pai says. “It also is a way for undergraduate students to socialize professionally."

Students from all across the area will be in attendance, with representatives from Slippery Rock University, Oberlin College, Lakewood Community College, Ohio Northern University, Youngstown State University and more. This year, students from University of California, Irvine, and Western Kentucky University will be in attendance as well. Faculty members from these institutions will be present, serving as mentors to the students.

Clare Stacey, Ph.D., associate professor in Kent State’s Department of Sociology, says the symposium challenges students to become scientists in their own right.

“Many students who participate in this forum tell us that they enjoy the exchange of ideas, as well as the real confidence boost that comes from presenting their work,” Stacey says.

The event will begin with a networking reception on Friday, March 13, at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center. Refreshments will be provided.

On Saturday, registration will begin around 7:30 a.m. with the first presentation beginning at 9:15 a.m. Lunch will be provided. The event will conclude with a tour of the May 4 Visitors Center.

All Kent State students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the symposium. Registration fees are $40 for full-time faculty, $25 for part-time faculty and $20 for students.

For more information and to register, visit www.kent.edu/sociology/neouss.

For more information about Kent State’s Department of Sociology, visit www.kent.edu/sociology.