Two graduate students from the College of Health Sciences have received the 2019 Graduate College Travel Award which helps fund student conference travel for the presentations of their research projects.
Lexy Gomes, a Master of Social Work student, and Rachel Phinney, a Master of Health Sciences student, were two of six students who received the award for the 2019 summer submission period.
The Graduate College Travel Awards, sponsored by the Boise State Graduate College, the Division of Research and Economic Development, and the Provost’s Office, recognizes outstanding scholarship on the part of graduate students and covers up to $500 in conference travel costs per award recipient. Presentation experience that graduate students gain from academic conferences makes them more competitive in the job market and better prepares them for their future careers.
Gomes, who also serves as a graduate research assistant for James Beauchemin, assistant professor for the School of Social Work, was funded to present their collaborative work on “Effectiveness of a Web-based Solution-Focused Module on Social Wellness among College Students” at the Council of Social Work Education Conference in Denver, Colorado on October 23 – 27. This research project provides insight into the role that technology can play in the promotion of positive social wellbeing outcomes for college students.
“Having the opportunity to attend the Council of Social Work Education Conference will contribute to my educational experience in a variety of different ways,” said Gomes. “I look forward to networking, getting up to speed on the most recent research findings, and understanding what it means for the profession of social work. Additionally, I look forward to contributing our current research on social wellness and further challenging myself as a researcher, academic, and student.”
“I am very excited for Lexy to receive the opportunity to present her hard work,” said Randy Magen, director of the School of Social Work. “It is well deserved, and having the opportunity to present continues to add value to the student research experience.”
Phinney was granted an award to present her research on “Recognizing and Reducing Potential Hazards in Northwest Potato Production” on August 7-9 at the Western Regional Agricultural Safety and Health Conference in Seattle, Washington. Phinney’s collaborative research study focused on understanding potato growers’ perceptions about the frequency and severity of injuries associated with various potato production tasks.
“The Graduate College Travel Award presented a great opportunity for me to engage with and learn from other occupational health students, researchers and faculty from across the country,” said Phinney. “The award also allowed me to share some of the important work that’s happening at Boise State.”
The Graduate College has a limited number of travel funding opportunities, with review/submission periods taking place three times per academic year. Learn more about Graduate College Conference Travel funding.