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Center for Undergraduate Excellence
Student Scholar Symposium

»Student Scholar Symposium

Fall Symposium 

Abstract Volume

Wednesday, December 3 - Poster Sessions

Sandhu Conference Center
Poster 1 - 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Poster 2 - 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Thursday, December 4 - Oral Sessions

Argyros Forum 209

Oral 1 - 10:00-11:00 AM
Oral 2 - 11:30 - 12:30 PM
Oral 3 - 1:00-2:00 PM
Oral 4 - 2:30-3:30 PM

Chapman University understands the importance of undergraduate research and creative activity as fundamental to a student's academic journey. The Center of Undergraduate Excellence continuously strives to support and provide opportunities for undergraduates to thrive and expand their research knowledge and creative accomplishments. The Student Scholar Symposium celebrates the breadth and depth of scholarly research and creative exploration by Chapman University undergraduate students.

Experience a showcase of projects from diverse academic and creative disciplines. Interact with student researchers and their innovative presentations, reflecting rigorous inquiry across the campus.

Presentations are open to ALL disciplines.

Guidelines and Requirements


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Participation and Important Dates

  • Abstract submission deadline – Sunday, November 2, 2025
  • Poster printing deadline – Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM (noon).
Visit the Presenter Information Portal for the link to upload your poster

Abstract Guidelines and Requirements

  • Clearly state the project's central research question and/or purpose. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context that demonstrates how the project contributes to the area of inquiry. Provide a brief description of the research or creative methodology. State expected results and/or conclusions. Include text only (no images or graphics). Be well-written and well-organized.

  • Abstracts should run 200-300 words with no paragraph breaks. Maximum length: 2100 characters (approximately 300 words).

  • Use plain text format for your abstract. The form will not process some formatting and special characters (e.g., scientific symbols). References are allowed but not required.
     
  • When submitting your abstract, have the following information:
  • Name of Primary Author and Co-Author(s)
  • Chapman e-mail address for each student and faculty mentor
  • Field of study for each faculty mentor and student co-author
  • Title and abstract

  • GROUP PROJECTS - Designate one person from your group to submit the abstract. Only one abstract should be submitted for each project during the same poster session.

Poster Guidelines

Poster design can significantly enhance or severely diminish the effectiveness of your presentation. The guidelines are general considerations.

  • Standard size: 48" x 36" landscape (template)
  • Minimum font size - (32 pt)
  • Preferred Font type - Arial or Helvetica
  • Font Color - Black  
  • Need help designing your academic poster?  View the video link for helpful poster design tips: Academic Poster Design Tutorial

Poster Printing Deadline - Thursday, November 20, Print Here

Fall Presentations


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Poster Presentation

Research-based presentation accompanied with an academic poster.

  • Each session is 1.5 hours in length.
  • Presenters must arrive at least 20 minutes early to check-in and set up at assigned presentation location.
  • Poster printing is available through CUE. See Poster Printing Guidelines drop down for specific details and deadlines.

Professional Courtesy

This symposium provides a setting for attendees to observe and learn conference etiquette. Presenters are expected to be available at their poster for the entire session to present and engage with session attendees.

Oral Presentation

The research-based oral presentation is generally supplemented with a slideshow or video (i.e., PowerPoint, original film).

Presentation

  • Each session is one hour in length with four (4) presenters.
  • Oral presentations are limited to 15 minutes per presenter. Individual presentation timelines are as follows:
  • 10 minutes for presentation
  • 5 minutes for Q&A
  • Time limits are strictly enforced by the moderator.
  • Presenters are required to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the assigned session to set up presentation and any other resources necessary for a successful presentation. 

Professional Courtesy

This symposium provides a setting for attendees to observe and learn conference etiquette. Presenters are required to remain in the room until the completion of the session.

Spring Presentations


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Poster Presentation

Poster Presentation

Research-based presentation accompanied with an academic poster.

  • Each session is 1.5 hours in length.
  • Presenters must arrive at least 20 minutes early to check-in and set up at assigned presentation location.
  • Poster printing is available through CUE. See Poster Printing Guidelines drop down for specific details and deadlines.

Professional Courtesy

This symposium provides a setting for attendees to observe and learn conference etiquette. Presenters are expected to be available at their poster for the entire session to present and engage with session attendees.

Oral Presentations

Research-based oral presentation generally supplemented with a slideshow or video (i.e., PowerPoint, original film).

Presentation

  • Each session is one hour in length with four (4) presenters.
  • Oral presentations are limited to 15 minutes per presenter. Individual presentation timelines are as follows:
  • 10 minutes for presentation
  • 5 minutes for Q&A
  • Time limits are strictly enforced by the moderator.
  • Presenters are required to arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of the assigned session to set up presentation and any other resources necessary for a successful presentation. 

Music, dance, theatre, film, and visual art research and/or analysis, i.e., theory, education, or history, fall under oral presentations.

Visual Arts

Music, dance, theatre, film, and visual art research and/or analysis, i.e., theory, education, or history, fall under oral presentations.

Types of Artwork

Submissions of artwork will be considered from students in any major and in the following material forms, including but not limited to:

  • Fine Art
  • 2D – works on paper, works on canvas, collage
  • 3D – sculpture, installation, ceramics
  • Video
  • Graphic Design
  • Logo design
  • Shirt & Apparel Design
  • Books, magazines, catalogs
  • Illustrations

Presentation

Visual Arts presenters must give an oral presentation documenting their work and creative process.

Visual Arts sessions will be one hour in length.

  • Each session is one hour in length.
  • Presentations are limited to 5 minutes per presenter. 
  • Presenters are required to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the assigned session to set up presentation and any other resources necessary for a successful presentation. 

Visual Art Exhibition

CUE will display the presenter's artwork in the Student Scholar Symposium Visual Art Exhibition in the Student Union in Argyros Forum.

  • Art piece must be turned into CUE by Friday, April 14th for installation.

Performing Arts Presentations

Music, dance, theatre, film, and visual art research and/or analysis, i.e., theory, education, or history, fall under oral presentations.

Types of Performance
  • Music
  • Music: original composition or arrangement 
  • Musical performance 
  • Lecture recital 
  • Dance
  • Dance performance or choreography 
  • Theatre
  • Original work: monologue or scene (up to 5 actors) 
  • Interpretive work: monologue or scene (up to 5 actors) 

Presentation

Performing Arts presenters must give an oral presentation documenting their work and creative process along with a brief performance of their project. 

Music and Theatre

  • Each session is one hour in length with three presenters.
  • Presentations are limited to 20 minutes per presenter. Individual presentation timelines are as follows:
  • 15 minutes for presentation
  • 5 minutes for Q&A
  • Time limits are strictly enforced by the moderator.
  • Presenters are required to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the assigned session to set up presentation and any other resources necessary for a successful presentation. 

Dance

  • Each session is one hour in length with four presenters.
  • Presentations are limited to 15 minutes per presenter. Individual presentation timelines are as follows:
  • 10 minutes for presentation
  • 5 minutes for Q&A
  • Time limits are strictly enforced by the moderator.
  • Presenters are required to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the assigned session to set up presentation and any other resources necessary for a successful presentation. 

Professional Courtesy

This symposium provides a setting for attendees to observe and learn conference etiquette. Presenters are required to remain in the room until the completion of the session.

Publication and Past Presentations


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Past Keynote Speakers

2019: Dr. Zeinab Dabbah '12, born in Cairo, Egypt, and received her MD at Cairo University; she graduated cum laude in 2012 with an Emphasis in Advocacy and Dispute Resolution from the Fowler School of Law, and recipient of the Chapman University Distinguished Alumni Award. Watch Zeinab Dabbah's Keynote! 

2018: Frederick J. Simon, 20 years of service with the FBI, Office of Public and Congressional Affairs, Evidence Response Team

2018: Anissa Hassouna, Member of Egyptian Parliament, Frist woman elected to the Board of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and Author of Without a Prior Notice.Watch Anissa Hassouna's Keynote! 

2017: Carolyn Forche, Award-winning Poet of Witness, Human Rights Advocate, Chapman University Presidential Fellows, Director of Center for Poetics and Social Practice at Georgetown University. Watch Carolyn Forche's Keynote!

2017: Mike Paul Hughes, NASA Engineer, Music Producer, Composer, Writer, Inspirational Speaker. Deputy Project Manager, ASPIRE, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and Researcher in Advanced Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems. Watch Mike Paul Hughes' Keynote!

2016: Nancy Perloff, Ph. D., Curator of Modern and Contemporary Collections for the Getty Research Institute. As a trained musicologist and art historian, scholarly research and creative activity have played an integral role in Perloff’s life and career. Watch Nancy Perloff's Keynote!

2016: Robert Akscyn, Founder and President of Knowledge Systems, Hypertext pioneer, First Chair of SIGLINK, ACM’s special Interest Group on Hypertext and the Web, honored by field colleagues via “Akscyn’s Law,” former Chairman of the Board for four high-technologies companies. Watch Robert Akscyn's Keynote!

2015: Kenneth E. Phillips, Ph.D., Curator for Aerospace Science at the California Science Center, Caretake of Space Shuttle Endeavor. Watch Kenneth E. Phillips' Keynote!

2015:  M.G. Lord, Cultural critic, investigative journalist, and comedian. Author of The Accidental Feminist, Astro Turf, and Forever Barbie. Former Newsday editorial cartoonist.

2014: Akin C. Ceylan, COO Home Entertainment, Lionsgate. Chapman University Alumnus, Class of 1990, Chapman Alumni Association Board, VP Communications.

2014: Jennifer Backhaus, Founder and Artistic Director of Backhausdance, OC award-winning contemporary dance company. One of OC Metro's "40 Under 40" in 2009. Alumna of the year, Chapman University. Teaching Artist for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts' community education program.

2013: Robert Diaz, Corporate Transactional Attorney, Finlayson Williams Toffer Roosevelt & Lilly LLP., Chapman University Alumnus, Class of 1997.

2012: Dr. Arthur Benjamin, Professor of Mathematics, Harvey Mudd College and Magician.

Abstract Volumes

Digital Commons

Chapman University Digital Commons is an open-access digital repository designed to collect, store, index, and provide access to the scholarly and creative output of Chapman University faculty, students, staff, and affiliates. In it are faculty research papers and books, data sets, outstanding student work, audiovisual materials, images, special collections, and more, all created by members of or owned by Chapman University.

If you present at the Student Scholar Symposium, your poster will be uploaded to the Digital Commons. You can access the Digital Commons here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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