Three Wayne Community College students and WCC Chemistry Instructor Brian Duffy presented at the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s research showcase held on the university’s campus.
Tracy Hu, Miyah Saunders, Katelyn Xivir, and Duffy shared the research projects that resulted from their participation in UNCW’s Community College Undergraduate Research Experience (CCURE).
The CCURE program is intended to open pathways to undergraduate research for community college students before they transfer to a four-year institution. It provides students with an introductory-level applied research experience that is taught by a community college instructor and supported by a UNCW faculty mentor.
The program’s 16-week course is offered through UNCW and is taken at participating community colleges, allowing students to be dually enrolled as they complete their research. The course is fully transferable to any four-year institution and is free for participants.
Students in the program complete an applied research project that culminates in a research poster or presentation.
Hu, Saunders, Xivir, and Duffy examined the health and well-being of the Neuse River as it runs through Wayne County. Amy Long, senior lecturer in UNCW’s Department of Environmental Sciences, helped train the WCC students in key field equipment used for the project.
The students studied the river’s physical parameters and nutrient levels and performed soil and biological material analyses at two frequently used boat ramps along the river. They also investigated the presence of macroinvertebrates in the water, a key factor in the biological assessment and determining the river’s pollution level based on the species found.
“This opportunity provided our Wayne Community College students a unique experience to conduct experiments and learn more about a central component of Wayne County, the Neuse River,” Duffy shared. “It is also exciting for us as a community college to offer this experience for our students to build their résumés and advance their college careers.”
Over 200 students from community colleges across the state and from UNCW presented their research at the showcase.
“The ability for Tracy, Miyah, and Katelyn to present their findings on such a high level with university students was a great experience,” Duffy said.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.