Purpose of Scholar’s Day:
This fall, OCCC will host its inaugural Scholar's Day—a campus-wide celebration of student research, scholarly inquiry, and creative expression. Through poster sessions and presentations, students will showcase work across all disciplines, building confidence, communication skills, and a deep connection to academic life.
Our Goals:
- Empower students to take ownership of their research. Scholar’s Day is about student voice. Let them lead the process, even if it means making a few mistakes along the way.
- Focus on growth, not perfection. Mentors can guide and suggest—but ultimately, students make the final decisions. Sometimes the best learning comes from risk-taking.
- Make academic work feel meaningful and fun. Help students see that research, scholarly, and creative projects aren’t just assignments—they can be exciting, relevant, and rewarding.
- Prepare students for public presentation. Support them in thinking through how to communicate their work clearly and answer potential questions from viewers or judges.
Helping Students Write an Abstract:
Every Scholar’s Day participant will submit an abstract—a short summary of their project that helps readers understand what it’s about.
Here’s how you can help:
- Keep it short and clear. Aim for 150–250 words. Avoid jargon or overly technical language when possible.
- Include the essentials:
- What is the topic or research question?
- Why does it matter? (Significance or context)
- What did the student do? (Methods, process, or approach)
- What did they find or create? (Results, insights, or product)
- What are the implications? (Why the work matters or next steps)
- Use a confident, scholarly tone. This is a great opportunity to practice academic writing—but remind students that clarity is more important than complexity.
- Offer gentle feedback. Encourage students to read their abstract out loud, check for grammar, and revise for clarity. It’s okay if it takes a few drafts.
Tips for Helping Students Create Posters
A well-designed poster can make a big impact. Encourage students to think visually and communicate clearly.
Here are some key tips:
- Less is more. Too much text can overwhelm viewers. Focus on essential points—use bullet lists, visuals, and headlines.
- Keep it readable. Use large, legible fonts (at least 24pt for body text) and high-contrast colors.
- Use visuals wisely. Charts, graphs, photos, and diagrams can bring ideas to life—but make sure they support, not distract from, the message.
- Practice explaining it. Encourage students to rehearse their “elevator pitch” so they can talk about their poster confidently in 1–2 minutes.
A Note of Thanks
Thank you so much for volunteering your time and expertise to mentor our student presenters. We know you have many demands on your schedule, and your support means a great deal. You’re not only helping students prepare for this event—you’re helping build a culture of curiosity and academic pride at OCCC.
If you have questions or need support, please reach out to any member of the Scholar’s Day Planning Committee:
- Lindsey Baker: lindsey.k.baker@occc.edu
- Jennifer Fike: jennifer.c.fike@occc.edu
- Gena Ford: gena.r.ford@occc.edu
- Susmita Hazra: susmita.hazra@occc.edu
- Sara Mathew: sara.p.mathew@occc.edu
- Ann Raia: annmarie.f.raia@occc.edu
We are so grateful for your help in preparing the next generation of student scholars!
*Remember- mentoring for Scholar’s Day can count as service hours and can be listed on your End-of-the-Year Accomplishments.
