By Colin Williams / Staff Writer

With midterms finished, Missouri Valley College is now preparing for the annual Missouri Valley College Student Research Symposium for the fall semester.

The Student Research Symposium is a showcase that takes place at the end of the semester, giving students the opportunity to display what they have learned, what their specialty is, and what their craft is. It allows students to not only show faculty what they have accomplished but also demonstrate their skills to potential employers.

English professor Claire Schmidt coordinates nearly every aspect of the event.

“Right now, we are working with faculty, students, and staff,” Schmidt said. “So with faculty, we are checking in and saying, ‘Hey, we know you guys are doing awesome stuff with your students. Heads up.’”

The symposium can be an exciting moment for students. One student in particular, Axel Garcia, a senior majoring in history and psychology, expressed his enthusiasm.

“As a student, Missouri Valley College’s Research Symposium allows me to apply what I have learned to real-world research experiences, which enhances my academic and personal growth,” Garcia said. “It is a great opportunity to share my knowledge, work professionally, and prepare for the future.”

This will be the ninth year of the symposium. While some things remain the same each year, others continue to evolve.

“Hey, talk about this. The symposium where you’ll have a bigger audience,” Schmidt said. “I’m hoping we’ll see a lot more internship presentations, and I’m hoping that will then lead to even more.”