In April 2015, Lydia Delamatta, a recent Roanoke College graduate went to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Cheney, Washington. Lydia worked with the Public Affairs department on her project titled “Discrimination Stops Here: How Education Affects Gender Political Equality Across Democratic Nations”. Lydia became involved in research after meeting Dr. O’Keef at a professional development panel organized by the Public Affairs Society. The two then worked together on their project.
Lydia enjoyed her time working with Dr. O’Keef:
“Working one on one with a professor is honestly the best way to learn, and when working with Dr. O’Keef, you feel like your research matters. Working one on one, I was able to ask all the questions I needed to as well as develop a professional relationship. Dr. O’Keef, along with all of the Public Affairs professors, truly bend over backwards to help us cultivate our skills and thoughts, and to perfect our projects, and independent study projects help you recognize their dedication.”
When we asked what Lydia’s favorite part of the conference was she had a hard time choosing one but ultimately decided that presentation day was the best:
“Overall, in the span of only a few hours, I had made two professional connections, both because of the work I had put in with Dr. O’Keef in developing this quantitative research project. I was able to represent myself and Roanoke College at this conference, and I would like to think that on that day I honored both.”
To anyone who hasn’t done research or is thinking about it, Lydia says:
“Definitely get involved in the Undergraduate Research program at Roanoke College and Summer Scholars, and get involved with a professor you would like to work with and ask for their mentorship with a research project. If you have a great work ethic and you ask one of your professors about an undergraduate research project they will help you, either by mentoring you, or finding you the best professor for your topic. Seriously they really will.”