Nineteen University of Nebraska–Lincoln students presented research and creative projects April 3 to fellow students, faculty and staff during the 2025 Mini-Symposium for First Year Research Experience students. The event was hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships and the TRIO/Student Support Services Program.
Among the 19 students was computer science major Kaden Wangen. His faculty mentor was School of Computing Associate Professor Liang He.
Each fall, Undergraduate Research and Fellowships staff match eligible first-year undergraduates with faculty mentors to conduct a research or creative project. The FYRE employment is supported by federal work-study, the TRIO/Student Support Services Program or the STEM-POWER program. Participation in undergraduate research and first-year experiences are both considered high-impact practices for undergraduate education by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The FYRE program combines both practices, ensuring that first-year students build social connections with faculty mentors and researchers while gaining first-hand knowledge of how Nebraska’s research innovations contribute to solving global challenges.
The mini-symposium theme, “Cultivating a Growth Mindset,” reflects the FYRE program’s commitment to providing enriching research opportunities that foster curiosity, creativity, resilience, adaptability and reflection on the value of the first-year experience. In addition to the mini-symposium, FYRE students participate in monthly skill-building workshops and complete a professional development program facilitated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships and the TRIO/Student Support Services Program.
Ioanna Kipourou, a graduate assistant and master’s student in educational administration, and Chanasei Ziemann, STEM-POWER project coordinator for the School of Biological Sciences, co-lead FYRE student advising and activities throughout the year. Ziemann, a 2024 graduate in biological sciences, also recently published her Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences (UCARE) work.
At the mini-symposium, Kipourou’s keynote speech highlighted the benefits of adopting a growth mindset and learning how to engage in academic conferences in the first year.
“We provide Huskers with a supportive space to share their research and professional development achievements,” Kipourou said. “The mini-symposium celebrates their hard work toward growth and prepares students for their future research presentations. It’s also a day to look back and reflect on their first year as college students, researchers and scholars.”
Research provides experiential growth through development, opportunity and curiosity, especially for first-generation students, said Marianna Burks, assistant professor of practice in biological sciences and co-director of the STEM-POWER program. “It has been amazing to see what these students have accomplished in one year.”
Amy Goodburn, senior associate vice chancellor, dean of undergraduate education and professor of English, agreed.
“It was thrilling to see the quality of our FYRE students’ discovery and learning at this year’s symposium,” she said. “Our faculty and Undergraduate Research and Fellowship staff have done an excellent job in guiding these first-year students to foster curiosity, resilience and critical thinking through the power of academic mentorship.”
View the full list of students who presented at the FYRE Mini-Symposium in Nebraska Today.
More details at: https://news.unl.edu/article/19-first-year-huskers-present-work-at-fyre-mini-symposium