Eastern Student Kayla Enwerem of Waterbury Presents Research Poster at CREATE Conference

2016 May 3

More than 250 talented students at Eastern Connecticut State University presented research and creative work at the university's second annual CREATE conference this past April. CREATE stands for Celebrating Research Excellence and Artistic Talent at Eastern, and is the university's premier, academic year-end showcase. At the culminating event, students of all majors presented professional posters, live music, dance performances, artwork, photography, documentaries and panel discussions.

Kayla Enwerem '17 of Waterbury, who majors in Social Work, presented a research poster at the event. Enwerem's presentation, co-presented alongside three other classmates, was titled "Financial Literacy Amongst High School Students."

"Whether high school aged children are transitioning into the workforce or college, the high cost of college tuition or independent living presents challenges to the career plans of persons in this age group," said the students in a joint statement. "Financial knowledge, such as how money is managed, earned, spent and invested, is one of the foundational skills that prepare early adults to better function within the economy. Little is known about how financially knowledgeable our high school aged children are. The purpose of this study is to assess the financial knowledge among high school students and factors that are associated with their literacy. Through the use of self?administered survey questionnaires, this study will gauge awareness of four major aspects of financial literacy, which include credit and spending, savings and investments, income and money management, among high school students in the northeast region of Connecticut. The results of the study will contribute to the understanding of financial capability and future prospects of current high school students in Connecticut, as well as how different systems, such as families and schools, could work together in order to enhance their financial knowledge."

Remarking on the variety of presentations, Professor Dickson Cunningham, conference co-chair, said, "CREATE encapsulates the essence of the liberal arts in one afternoon. It is an intellectual smorgasbord."

Speaking to the value of CREATE, Eastern President Elsa Nunez said, "It takes a very strong and dedicated student to produce this quality of work, and it's important for other students to see this output." Praising the faculty, she added, "It takes a committed and skillful mentor to guide students to the work that is on display. Mentorship is such an integral part of undergraduate research."

During the one-day conference, the Student Center crawled with artistic and scholarly activity. Students in professional attire addressed their peers, faculty and family. In the cafe, ensembles performed; in the theatre, student-produced documentaries were shown; in the Betty R. Tipton Room, aisles of posters depicting scientific research were displayed; across the hall, a gallery-worth of paintings lined the walls; and on the ground floor, panel discussions and oral presentations about the humanities took place.

In celebration of students' exemplary research, experiential learning and creative activity, CREATE serves to reinforce high-impact practices such as mentored research; increases the number of students presenting their work in a professional forum; raises public awareness of Eastern's liberal arts mission and student accomplishments; and contributes to the intellectual richness of the campus community.