McNair-Ballotti Undergraduate Research Symposium (MBURS)

Welcome to the online home of the McNair-Ballotti Undergraduate Research Symposium (MBURS). The Symposium is designed to showcase the scholarship of Suffolk University undergraduates participating in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program housed within the Center for Academic Access & Opportunity and recipients of the Geno A. Ballotti Scholarship in the Center for Learning & Academic Success.

This year’s McNair-Ballotti Undergraduate Research Symposium was held Friday April 19, 2024 in the programming space on the ninth floor of 73 Tremont.

Schedule of Events

Welcome   Abraham Peña, Jamie Bondar
Session 1 11 a.m. Mingyue Lao, Cristina Castillo, Luke Stocker
Lunch 12:30 p.m.  
Session 2 & Closing Ceremony 1 p.m. Isabelle Lavallee, Gwyneth Hiller, Neka Vladimirov, Abraham Peña, Jamie Bondar

Presentations

Cristina Castillo - Suffolk UniversityCristina Castillo (she/her)
McNair Scholar
“Implementing an Equitable Business Model Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives”
Research Advisor: Monique Gibbs

Gwyneth HillerGwyneth Hiller (she/they)
Ballotti Scholar
“Maximalist Tutoring: The False Dichotomy of Directive and Non-Directive Pedagogy”
Research Advisors: Jamie Bondar and Bryan Trabold

Mingyue Lao - Suffolk UniversityMingyue Lao (he/him)
McNair Scholar
“Understanding Generation Z’s Awareness of Social Media’s Privacy Policy”
Research Advisor: Ming Chen

Isabelle Lavalee - Suffolk UniversityIsabelle Lavalee (she/her)
Ballotti Scholar
“Peer-Tutor Engagement”
Research Advisors: Jamie Bondar and Keri Iyall-Smith

Luke Stocker - Suffolk UniversityLuke Stocker (he/him)
 Ballotti Scholar
“Working with Large Language Models: Tips for Students & Tutors”
Research Advisor: Jamie Bondar

Neka_Vladimirov - Suffolk UniversityNeka Vladimirov (they/them)
Ballotti Scholar
“Critical Reading in the Tutoring Center: Reading Against the Grain”
Research Advisors: Jamie Bondar and Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber