Saint Xavier University students transformed the Shannon Center into a showcase of ideas Monday, April 21, sharing creative and research projects that explored everything from mental health to cultural identity.
Now in its sixth year, the Student-Faculty Collaborative Research Expo brought together students and professors across disciplines to present the results of semester- and year-long research partnerships.
“The expo gives us a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our students before they graduate,” said Nathan Peck, director of the Division of Humanities & Liberal Arts and a professor of art and design. “It allows them to showcase their work and highlight what makes their research unique among a diverse range of academic disciplines.”
Since launching in 2019, the expo has become a signature event for the university, offering a public platform for collaborative student-faculty projects. The work is supported through Saint Xavier’s SFCR Initiative, which funds competitive research proposals that go beyond classroom learning.
Students presented projects in science, education, nursing, health, communication, and the arts. Many explored timely social issues or used creative expression to tell personal stories.
Among the presenters was Jacquelyn Santana, a senior whose art project, My Whole World, reflects her experience growing up between two cultures.
“My artwork shows the appreciation I have for my family and is a symbolic representation of me,” said Santana, 22. “Even though my parents are from Mexico and I’m from the United States, I embrace both cultures.”
Another senior student, Jakayla Blockmon, focused her research on mental health challenges in the nursing field.
“Nursing is an intense major with a lot of stress, and often, self-care is neglected,” said Blockmon, 21. Her project emphasized the importance of self-care across physical, psychological, relationship and professional dimensions.
“This event gives students the opportunity to share their research with people in other departments,” Peck said. “They get to expose themselves to potential future colleagues and collaborators. It’s a great way to connect.”
Throughout the expo, posters lined the Shannon Center and students gave live presentations as faculty, staff and peers stopped to ask questions and offer feedback.
Best in Show awards were given to: Angel Chavez (art); Jessica Skupien ( natural science); Maureen Hurley (nursing/health); Zariya Gonzalez (nursing/health); Alexander Art (education and communication); Christopher Jimenez (social sciences) ; Maria Belen; and Grande Tepoz (social sciences).
The SFCR Expo doesn’t just celebrate achievement — it encourages students to think bigger, connect across fields, and see research as a way to engage with the world around them.
