The Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing (AEPCEC) at 快猫app短视 hosted its annual Student Research Symposium showcasing the next generation of technological and engineering advancements.聽

The 2026 symposium featured academic talent and innovative research, highlighting presentations from over 300 undergraduate and graduate students. More than 130 interactive technical posters were presented spanning research topics in cutting-edge computing, advanced infrastructure, robotics, smart energy, artificial intelligence and engineering innovation.  

The event drew participation from approximately 40 industry partner companies who actively engaged with the presented research, underscoring the symposium鈥檚 growing role as a bridge between student research, workforce development and industry needs. 

鈥淭his event is an essential launchpad for our students to step out of the classroom and showcase their innovative work with real-world applications,鈥� said Reinhold Gerbsch, DSc, director of industrial relations for the college. 鈥淧resenting research across fields like robotics, civil engineering and artificial intelligence teaches students how to articulate complex concepts with clarity to industry professionals.鈥� 

The symposium also featured an on-site career fair, giving students the opportunity to connect with major industry employers, including Gulfstream Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, Thomas & Hutton and more. 

鈥淗aving companies on-site creates a dynamic professional network where industry leaders are not simply judging the students鈥� work, they are there to mentor, advise and hire,鈥� Gerbsch explained. 鈥淭heir involvement ensures our students understand what the engineering and computing sectors are looking for in new hires and how their research connects to emerging industry needs.鈥�  

Team and individual awards were presented to undergraduate and graduate students. These included:

UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS

AEPCEC Top Eagle Award 

Olaudo Victor-Ofoegbu, Jalen Mordica, Iniuobong Unah

Crider Foods – Manufacturing, Robotics & Automation Award

Elizabeth McGlone, Sebastian Oviedo, Ariana Story, Anish Goyal

Gulfstream Business Technology Computer Science Award 

Nicholas Hubbard

Gulfstream Business Technology Information Technology Award 

Michael Woodcock

Gulfstream Completions Engineering – Electrical and Computer Engineering Award

Tamera Gilmore, Jack Jones, Perrin Freeman, Bryan Bosely

Gulfstream Innovation, Engineering & Flight Excellence Award

Caleb Lewis, Jack Giles, Elsie Lappin

Rolls-Royce Power Systems Mechanical Engineering Award

Milton Tomas Santizo

Thomas & Hutton Civil Engineering and Construction Award  

Rosemarie Gante, Ariful Islam Shuvo, Peya Sharif, Yocelin Ramos-Perez, Natalia Alanis, Isabella Funes

AEPCEC- Computing Award 

Alejandro Gir贸n, Thi Tran, Nicholas-Paul Webster, Casey Morgan 

GRADUATE AWARDS

AEPCEC Top Eagle Award 

John Havenar

Crider Foods – Manufacturing, Robotics & Automation Award

Emmanuella Ogun,Yong Ann Voeurn

Gulfstream Business Technology Computer Science Award 

Mary Dufie Afrane

Gulfstream Business Technology Information Technology Award 

Temitope Elijah

Gulfstream Completions Engineering – Electrical and Computer Engineering Award

Jonas Chen

Gulfstream Innovation, Engineering & Flight Excellence Award

Chowdhury Irtiza

Rolls-Royce Power Systems Mechanical Engineering Award

Melinawo Vowotor

Thomas & Hutton Civil Engineering and Construction Award  

Md. Moshiur Rahman Tushar

AEPCEC- Computing Award 

Deborah Osahor

Industry and community partners interested in engaging with Georgia Southern engineering and computing students are invited to participate in future Student Research Symposium events through judging, sponsorship, career fair participation, technical mentorship and research collaboration opportunities.

For more information about participating in the Student Research Symposium and to view all of the 2026 award finalists, please visit: /colleges/engineering-computing/research/undergraduate-research/symposium. 

快猫app短视 is once again setting the standard for excellence at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York, receiving outstanding delegation distinction for the 15th year in a row. 

“Our success is due to the quality of our students,” said Barry Balleck, Ph.D., team advisor and professor of politics and international studies. “They have a passion for Model UN and they believe in the diplomatic process. They have not been jaded to believe that diplomacy is weakness and that international cooperation is pass茅.”

Georgia Southern has one of the longest-running Model United Nations programs in the country, beginning in 1972. Balleck says that the team’s wins this year have just reinforced what he’s known since he started leading the program 30 years ago. 

“Our students can match up to students from any university anywhere in the world,” Balleck said. “The difference between our students and others is that they have a passion for Model UN and for the standard of excellence that we have set in this program. We emphasize every year that our students are not just representing themselves in any particular year; they are representing the legacy of the Model UN established by 快猫app短视.”

The weight of that responsibility is heavy, but Balleck says it’s a crucial tool in preparing students for their future. 

“Our students learn research, writing and critical thinking skills that help them in whatever profession they choose,” he explained. “I have students who are teachers, diplomats, doctors, lawyers, government officials, peace corps volunteers, lobbyists — the list goes on and on.” 

Those skills helped the Georgia Southern team stand out at the conference this year, bringing home multiple awards in categories like Outstanding Distinction for Position Paper Writing and Outstanding Delegate Distinction in Committee. Balleck says the group is already preparing for next year.  

“Our delegation will be conducting three middle and high school conferences next academic year,” he said. “These conferences will bring nearly 1,200 students to 快猫app短视. Then we’ll attend the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference next year in New York City at the end of March 2027.”

That will mark Balleck’s 31st year with the organization. After all this time, he still says that Model UN is the best academic tool he’s ever been associated with. 

“It teaches students advanced methods in public speaking, research, technical writing and diplomacy,” he said. “In my opinion, the experiential components of Model UN are unmatched by any other experience.”

Winners include:

OUTSTANDING DELEGATION

• Becerra, Ruby
• Benyehudah, Ellie
• Busboom, Emma
• Chavvakula, Varshita
• Collins, Logan — Assistant Advisor
• Dykes, Kierstin
• Franco, Jaelly
• Gibbs, Amiyah
• Hill, Xenovia
• Mason, Natassia
• Millan Merchan, Jorge
• Moore, Chloe
• Norman, Malachi
• Pagelsen, Logan
• Roberts, Lily
• Rumsey, Ava
• Sherrill, Jacob
• Taylor-Williams, Ariana — Head Delegate
• Wheeler, Jaden
• Williams, Emma
• Balleck, Barry — Advisor

OUTSTANDING POSITION PAPER WRITING 

General Assembly Third Committee (GA3)

• Chavvakula, Varshita
• Pagelsen, Logan

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

• Dykes, Kiersten
• Hill, Xenovia

Human Rights Committee (HRC)

• Williams, Emma
• Roberts, Lily

OUTSTANDING DELEGATES IN COMMITTEE

General Assembly First Committee (GA1)

• Millan Merchan, Jorge
• Franco, Jaelly

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

• Dykes, Kiersten
• Hill, Xenovia

Human Rights Committee (HRC)

• Williams, Emma
• Roberts, Lily

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

• Becerra, Ruby
• Mason, Nattassia

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

• Benyehudah, Ellie
• Moore, Chloe

The RiteCare庐 Center for Communication Disorders, located on the Armstrong Campus of 快猫app短视, continually implements innovative strategies to broaden its impact throughout the community. As the clinic鈥檚 reach continues to grow, Georgia Southern Communications Sciences and Disorders (CSDS) students are finding unique opportunities to connect with the people who need them. 

鈥淭hrough continual reflection, we strive to expand our services, community support and student readiness,鈥� said Tory Candea, Ph.D., SLP.D., director of clinical education in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Georgia Southern. 

Over a three-week period, the RightCare Center partnered with local horse-therapy nonprofit Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center, a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) Premier Accredited center in Guyton, Georgia, for ‘Manes and Memories.’

鈥淭he graduate students went above and beyond to create a welcoming and supportive environment,鈥� Candea added. 鈥淭heir ability to combine evidence-based strategies, fun and compassion made the experience truly meaningful for everyone involved.鈥� 

Together, the two organizations offered free speech therapy services to people living with speech-altering health conditions, alongside their caregivers, using evidence-based therapeutic techniques, sensory-friendly stations and the healing power of equine friendship. 

Along with providing services throughout South Georgia, the RiteCare Center has continued to expand services for children and adults beyond the boundaries of the University鈥檚 four campuses. Recently, the center was named the for the state of North Carolina. 

Graduate students will now have the opportunity to provide free research-based treatment for people with Parkinson鈥檚 and related disorders, helping individuals regain and retain their speech and swallowing through high-quality virtual sessions. 

鈥淲e are incredibly grateful to be chosen as North Carolina鈥檚 SPEAK OUT! Therapy and Research Center. This allows us to broaden access to care and empower students to learn, serve and lead under the guidance of exceptional clinical instructors, “said Candea.

The SPEAK OUT!Therapy Program at Georgia Southern was made possible by grant funding from , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living with Parkinson鈥檚 Disease worldwide. 

For Candea, working across communities benefits both patients and their future clinicians, helping students deliver the highest level of care to the people they serve.

She said, 鈥淥ur students are not waiting for graduation to make a difference; they are already changing lives through knowledge, consistency, and commitment to high-quality care.鈥�

Beth McGee, Ph.D., associate professor and assistant chair in the , has been named the 2026 Postsecondary Professional of the Year by the Georgia Association of Teachers of Family & Consumer Sciences (GATFACS). This award recognizes her transformative impact in Career Technical Education (CTE) and her success in connecting academic study with community needs.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition from my peers in GATFACS,” said McGee. “Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) provides a vital foundation for students to improve the quality of life for individuals and families. At Georgia Southern, we strive to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world impact, and this award is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our entire department.鈥� 

During her time as the interior design program coordinator, McGee helped double the program’s size to more than 300 students while maintaining top-tier accreditation. She also led the 2025 launch of a new interdisciplinary major in Family and Consumer Sciences Education to address the regional shortage of middle and high school teachers.

Trent Davis, Ph.D., interim chair of the School of Human Ecology, praised McGee鈥檚 dedication, noting that her work aligns with national high-quality CTE frameworks. 

鈥淚n both of Dr. McGee鈥檚 roles as assistant chair and program coordinator for interior design, she consistently exemplifies excellence through her contributions to program quality, innovation and leadership,鈥� said Davis. 鈥淗er work has had a profound effect on students, educators and the broader community.鈥� 

The GATFACS Postsecondary Professional of the Year award honors educators who drive innovation and show an unwavering commitment to advancing CTE within their institutions.

快猫app短视 has received high honors from Forbes in recognition of its commitment to institutional culture with the recent announcement of the publication鈥檚 list of 鈥�.鈥� Out of 600 companies on the list, Georgia Southern impressively landed in the top tier at #33.

鈥淎t Georgia Southern, we prioritize investing in our people, being accountable leaders, and fostering an environment of high performance, evidenced by results aligned with institutional goals and ultimately, student success. It is that alignment and commitment to continuous growth (growing ourselves to grow others) that creates a positive institutional culture at 快猫app短视,鈥� said 快猫app短视 President Kyle Marrero. 鈥淭he successful implementation of our strategic plan and the achievement of our institutional goals, aligned with our strategic priorities, are only accomplished if each and every faculty and staff member is actively engaged.鈥�

This is the second year Forbes has published the list, and . Representing the education industry, Georgia Southern was second on the list behind Columbia University (#10). 

Marrero emphasized that persistent efforts to strengthen institutional culture must produce measurable results that positively impact faculty and staff. To support this, the institution tracks its initiatives, evaluates them through ongoing feedback, and uses key performance indicators to assess their effectiveness.

鈥淎 positive culture is maintained through continuous communication and connecting to the 鈥榳hy’ and ‘how,’ empowering the collective intellect to help be part of solving the challenges (solve and evolve),鈥� he added. 鈥淲e are in this together, always focused on the ‘why’ of student success!鈥澛�

快猫app短视 has also been recently recognized on the Forbes lists for (#171), (#58 – Georgia), and (#243 in Research Universities and #100 in the South).

Mohammad 鈥淔uad鈥� Hassan, a Ph.D. student in 快猫app短视鈥檚 Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, has been awarded the 2026 Society of Tribologists and Lubrications Engineers (STLE) Elmer E. Klaus Fellowship. The $5,000 fellowship supports his research in developing 鈥渟mart,鈥� self-adjusting sealing technologies for supercritical carbon dioxide turbomachinery, an innovation designed to boost the efficiency and reliability of clean energy power plants.

The Klaus Fellowship is a nationally competitive award presented by STLE, one of the world鈥檚 leading professional societies in tribology, lubrication engineering and sealing science.The award highlights the growing national recognition of Georgia Southern鈥檚 research efforts in tribology, sealing technology and advanced energy systems. 

鈥淭his fellowship reflects the high quality of Hassan鈥檚 research and the strong momentum of our tribology program,鈥� said Sevki Cesmeci, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of the University鈥檚 Thermo-Fluidic Systems Laboratory. 鈥淥ur group is actively engaged in federally funded projects related to supercritical CO鈧� power cycles and advanced sealing technologies in collaboration with national laboratories. Recognition from STLE confirms that our students are contributing to research areas that are strategically important for future U.S. energy systems.鈥�

Under Cesmeci鈥檚 mentorship, Hassan conducts vital research into advanced elastohydrodynamic (EHD) sealing technologies for supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO鈧�) turbomachinery. Specifically, he is designing high-tech seals for power plant machinery that uses “supercritical” carbon dioxide to generate electricity. By using advanced computer modeling and physics, Hassan is creating “smart” seals that can automatically adjust themselves to prevent leaks. 

鈥淚 am grateful to my peers and especially to my supervisor, Dr. Sevki Cesmeci,鈥� said Hassan. 鈥淭his achievement would not have been possible without his guidance, encouragement and inspiration. He has always supported me and shared opportunities that have helped me grow as a researcher.鈥�

This technology helps the U.S. Department of Energy build power plants that last longer and run more efficiently. Hassan is already well-known in this field, having authored over 15 professional research papers for major engineering journals and conferences. Awarded annually to a single researcher by the STLE Presidential Council, the award recognizes exceptional research with significant potential for impact in the fields of energy, aerospace, manufacturing and transportation technologies. 

According to Jack McKenna, immediate past president of STLE and chair of the Presidential Council, the selection process for the fellowship is highly competitive. 鈥淢embers of the Presidential Council had the difficult task of selecting one recipient from many well-qualified applicants,鈥� said McKenna. 鈥淭he Selection Committee was impressed with [Hassan鈥檚] application and current research activities.鈥�

Hassan will be formally recognized at the 80th STLE Annual Meeting and Exhibition, to be held in May in New Orleans, Louisiana, where leading researchers and engineers from academia, industry and national laboratories gather to present advances in tribology and lubrication engineering.

Civil engineering graduate student Elsie Lappin will represent Georgia Southern at the state level in the inaugural University System of Georgia (USG) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

Lappin was selected as the top candidate following the 2026 Eagle Fast Pitch event, a University-wide competition supported by 快猫app短视鈥檚 , Parker College of Business and student-led organization the Eagle Entrepreneurs.

鈥淕eorgia Southern plays a vital role in cultivating entrepreneurs by giving students the tools and confidence to turn ideas into action,鈥� said Associate Vice President of Innovation Dominique Halaby, DPA. 鈥淔rom concept to execution, we鈥檙e preparing students not just for careers, but to lead, innovate and create meaningful impact.鈥�

Lappin鈥檚 winning pitch, Echo Oracle, is a physics-informed AI tool for automated ultrasonic inspection and structural code-based pass/fail decisions.

鈥淚 chose this project because it addresses a critical challenge in infrastructure inspection by reducing subjectivity and improving efficiency in defect detection and evaluation,鈥� Lappin said. 鈥淭his work began during my undergraduate studies and has continued to develop through my graduate research in nondestructive testing and structural health monitoring.鈥�

The pitch is a culmination of her passion for creating more reliable and accessible infrastructure assessment tools. She credits her mentor, Hossein Taheri, Ph.D., associate professor of manufacturing engineering, and director of the Laboratory for Advanced Nondestructive Testing and In-situ Evaluation (LANDTIE), with guiding her through the process.

By going on to the system-level contest, she now has the chance to earn a trophy, professional mentorship and $25,000 in cash prizes. The USG Innovation Competition is a two-day event taking place on April 6-7 at Kennesaw State University鈥檚 Marietta Campus.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to presenting alongside such a diverse group of student innovators and seeing how different disciplines approach problem-solving,鈥� said Lappin. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a unique opportunity to refine how I communicate a highly technical idea to a broader audience and to gain feedback that can help push the project further.鈥�

ABOUT BUSINESS INNOVATION GROUP
The Business Innovation Group (BIG) at 快猫app短视 works to build an ecosystem throughout the State of Georgia to help entrepreneurs create, incubate and accelerate their for-profit business enterprises. BIG works to facilitate access to university resources, to create opportunities for student experiential learning, and to foster an environment that supports a growth mindset throughout the state.

As a unit of the Office of Research at Georgia Southern, BIG is committed to developing and deploying new technological platforms, innovative programs, quality services and educational events to help meet the needs of area businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to expand business operations and/or launch new business enterprises, products and services. For more information explore the Georgia Southern Business Innovation Group.

Parkinson鈥檚 Awareness Month is an annual observance held in April designed to increase awareness and support for individuals and families living with Parkinson鈥檚 disease. 

According to the Parkinson鈥檚 Foundation, it鈥檚 , and that number is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030. It鈥檚 considered the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease.

After receiving a grant totaling more than $280,000 in 2023 from (PVP), RiteCare庐 Center for Communication Disorders at 快猫app短视 on the 快猫app短视 Armstrong Campus has worked to improve access to vital community health resources through the PVP鈥檚 辫谤辞驳谤补尘.听

Georgia Southern was one of 16 universities chosen to receive a grant from the organization’s national funding opportunity, 鈥淐ampaign to Reach America,鈥� which awards higher education clinics for their compassion and commitment to serving their communities. The free program provides accessible, high-quality care through in-person and remote speech therapy, as well as encouragement and hope to patients in the community.

Tory Candea, Ph.D., SLP.D., director of clinical education in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Georgia Southern, understands the importance of providing these invaluable services to community members living with Parkinson鈥檚. As a certified SPEAK OUT! provider and the primary clinician of the SPEAK OUT!^庐 Therapy & Research Center located at RiteCare, Candea is a first-hand witness to the benefits of the program. 

鈥淥ne of the most rewarding parts of this work is watching participants rediscover their voice,鈥� Candea explained, 鈥淲hen therapy is accessible and consistent, the progress people make can be truly remarkable.鈥�  

Candea worked with Assistant Professor of Psychology Robert G. Franklin Jr. from Anderson University in South Carolina to conduct research evaluating leadership qualities in patients before and after participating in SPEAK OUT! Therapy. The work was then published in the .

鈥淲hen people living with Parkinson鈥檚 strengthen their voice, they often strengthen their confidence as well,鈥� Candea said. That ripple effect is one of the most powerful outcomes we see through SPEAK OUT! Therapy.鈥� 

PVP鈥檚 commitment to provide grant funding to university-based clinics across the country exemplifies the organization’s dedication to providing speech therapy, encouragement and hope to individuals and families living with Parkinson鈥檚. 

Georgia Southern junior Ariana Taylor-Williams will spend her summer in New York City after earning a Schomburg-Mellon fellowship. This prestigious opportunity will allow her to advance her undergraduate research on the Harlem Renaissance by giving her access to unique documents in the New York Public Library鈥檚 extensive archives.

鈥淏eing able to do research with primary sources is a big deal,鈥� said Taylor-Williams. 鈥淭his will be the highest level of research I have gotten to do and I鈥檓 really excited for the opportunity. It鈥檚 exactly what I need to be able to advance my thesis.鈥�

The Schomburg-Mellon fellowship is given to 10 rising college seniors annually.

Taylor-Williams is an Honors College student double-majoring in history and English while working as an archivist in the Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections. She is the head delegate of the University鈥檚 Model United Nations team and the vice president of Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society. Her research into the effects of Cumberland Island鈥檚 commercial development on the Gullah Geechee community earned her the history department鈥檚 Richard S. Beene Scholarship. Now she is preparing her Honors thesis: 鈥淗arlem鈥檚 Federal Writers: Transnationalists, Humanitarians, and Public Historians,鈥� which examines how the work of African American authors in the 1930s contributed to the preservation of American history. 

Associate Professor of History Julie de Chantal, Ph.D., noted that Taylor-Williams took her work beyond expectations when teaming up with graduate students to produce an exhibit on American Independence.

鈥淪he operates at a level I have never seen before and she is tenacious like no other,鈥� said de Chantal. 鈥淪he has a profound ability to read text and subtext, so she finds patterns nobody else sees.鈥�

Taylor-Williams believes her success in so many fields comes from the supportive environment created by Georgia Southern faculty.

鈥淎ttending Georgia Southern is one of the best decisions I have made,鈥� said Taylor-Williams. 鈥淚 feel very lucky to have gotten these opportunities because not many students, especially in my field of archives, get to do this as an undergraduate student. All of the different extracurricular activities I have been able to hold leadership positions in, that鈥檚 not something you see at a lot of other universities.鈥�

De Chantal notes that a common theme in Taylor-Williams鈥檚 studies is using her own success to help others grow.

鈥淣ot only does she excel in her own work, she helps others to accomplish their goals too,鈥� said de Chantal. 鈥淲ith the Model U.N., she鈥檚 not only using the feedback that the faculty give her on her submissions, she shares the lessons that she learns with high school students whom she mentors. She does not just take knowledge in, she gives it back.鈥�

As Taylor-Williams prepares for a busy summer filled with rare books and handwritten notes, she already has her sights set on her next educational challenge. 

鈥淚 plan to get my master鈥檚 in history and library science because I really want to pursue a career as an archivist,鈥� said Taylor-Williams. 鈥淥nce I started working in Special Collections at the library, I realized it combines both history and English, so that became my goal. I want to do hands-on work that will help preserve historical documents for future generations to make their own discoveries.鈥�

Ariyana Braxton, radiation therapy student at 快猫app短视鈥檚 Waters College of Health Professions and native of Savannah, has been selected to participate in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Student to Leadership Development Program. This competitive three-year initiative is designed to cultivate future leaders in medical imaging and radiation therapy. Braxton is one of three students representing the state of Georgia at the national level.

The Student to Leadership Development Program provides selected students with opportunities to attend educational sessions, engage in national conferences and build meaningful mentorship relationships with professionals in the field. The program is designed to strengthen students鈥� leadership abilities while expanding their professional networks.

鈥淏eing selected for this program is truly an honor,鈥� Braxton said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to grow beyond the classroom, connect with professionals across the country and develop the leadership skills that will shape my future as a radiation therapist.鈥�

After discussing the opportunity with a classmate, Braxton felt inspired to apply to the program. She鈥檚 eager to gain greater insight into the field that she feels passionate about.

鈥淩adiation therapy is a close-knit field, and building professional relationships is so important,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to meet students from other programs, learn from experienced professionals and really put myself out there within the profession.鈥�

Through the program, Braxton hopes to gain deeper insight into the day-to-day realities of working in radiation therapy while developing practical leadership skills she can carry forward

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to learning what it takes to succeed in this field and gaining mentorship that will help guide me through the rest of my program and into my professional career,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he opportunity to participate in monthly mentorship meetings and attend the conference is something I鈥檓 especially excited about.鈥�

Braxton credits the chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences Laurie Adams, Ed.D., lecturer and clinical coordinator Theaonica Roberts, and senior lecturer and clinical coordinator Kerry Dunn, Ed.D., for introducing her to the program and encouraging her to apply.

Her selection reflects both her initiative and the strength of Georgia Southern鈥檚 radiation therapy program in preparing students for national-level professional engagement and leadership.