Nine Valdosta State University students recently stepped into the national spotlight and presented their original research at the 2026 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Richmond, Virginia.

Dr. Anne Price, professor of sociology and experiential learning leader at VSU, said that being selected to participate in this three-day event is a significant achievement.

A Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) initiative, NCUR provides students with an opportunity to share their work alongside peers from colleges and universities across the United States, while also engaging with faculty, researchers, and professionals from a wide range of academic disciplines, Price shared.

The road to NCUR began long before this group of VSU students stepped up to the podium. It started with curiosity, a simple question or classroom discussion, an unexpected observation, a brainstorming session, a community need, or maybe a desire to better understand the world or improve the lives of others.

With guidance from faculty mentors, these students turned that curiosity into innovation. Months of inquiry, collaboration, and perseverance led each emerging scholar to develop projects that challenged them to think critically, solve complex problems, and contribute new knowledge within their academic discipline.

Their NCUR presentations sparked thoughtful conversations with other conference attendees, who asked questions, shared unique perspectives, and offered valuable feedback that further enriched the research experience. 

Each student received a $600 experiential learning grant. Conference registration fees were paid for by their college deans.  

When asked how NCUR impacted them, the students shared how the experience strengthened their presentation and communication skills and expanded their professional networks. It exposed them to innovative research and inspired new ideas for future research as well as academic, career, and personal goals.

“NCUR was an event where VSU made a resounding statement this year, both in terms of our largest contingent of accepted presenters in university history and in our faculty's leadership within the national structure of the Council on Undergraduate Research,” Price shared.

“This student contingent reflected the outstanding quality of experiential learning that occurs on our campus. It was clear that, guided by dedicated faculty mentors, our students produce work that is recognized as the best around the country and shines on a national stage.

“At VSU, we are committed to innovative experiential learning opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These experiences enhance our students' career readiness, contributing to a stronger workforce at the regional level and beyond. I served as an abstract reviewer for NCUR this year, reviewing a small portion of the thousands of abstracts received, so I can speak to the depth, rigor, and disciplinary diversity of student research at this event. It was really an honor for our VSU students to be part of such a talented group of college students from across the nation." 

On the Web:

https://www.cur.org/