More than 50 Elon students present research at national conference

More than 50 Elon University students brought research and creative work to Richmond last week, placing the school among the top 10 in student attendance at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The annual gathering drew more than 5,000 students from across the country to the Greater Richmond Convention Center and, by Elon’s count, fit into a field that routinely tops 4,000 presentations from students at more than 400 colleges and universities.

For Alamance County families watching where Elon students are headed next, the conference offered a clear snapshot of the kinds of work being built on campus and presented nationally. Topics ranged from ancient Maya society to generative AI in online public relations discourse, with projects also exploring the experiences of Syrian refugees and the indigenous politics of Peru. That range underscored the reach of undergraduate research at a school that says the work is one of its five Elon Experiences.

Among the standout presentations was a project on North Carolina history from Amanda Kleintop, an assistant professor of history, and Athena Vizuete, a 2026 Elon history major from Carrboro. Their work on Reconstruction in North Carolina had been three years in the making, and the Richmond setting gave them a chance to visit historic sites tied to the same period they study. Kleintop said, “It was amazing to see the quality of Elon’s undergraduate research in our students’ presentations,” while Vizuete called NCUR a “wonderful opportunity” to present on a national stage and learn from peers.

Other Elon students tackled present-day questions with immediate relevance. Senior Professional Writing and Rhetoric major Caden Halberg, mentored by Travis Maynard, presented “The Whey Forward: Successfully Advocating for the Galactosemia Community,” a project focused on rare disease advocacy. Halberg said the conference helped raise awareness about a condition many students had never encountered while connecting with people across disciplines.

Senior strategic communications and public policy major Teresa Cao, mentored by Shanetta Pendleton, presented “Sorry, Not Sorry: Exploring Communication Patterns and Perceived Authenticity of Influencer Apologies on Social Media.” Cao said NCUR let her see the range of student interests and reinforced that there is always more to learn.

Elon’s Undergraduate Research Program says it funds student travel for events like NCUR, including registration, group travel and hotel costs. The university also points to that support as part of its broader research identity, along with a No. 8 national ranking for Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. That momentum showed again on April 28, when Elon held its largest-ever Spring Undergraduate Research Forum with 384 presentations, including 229 posters and 155 oral presentations and performances.