2025 WIRE students in a workshop learning about the National Archives Records Administration (NARA).

The inaugural Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE) was an exceptional journey that transformed budding scholars into confident researchers. This immersive program provided 11 student fellows with the skills and experiences necessary to excel in academic research.

Throughout the 4-week program, students attended multiple professional development workshops providing the group with the essential skills for their research projects. The workshops included, “How to Do Research”, “Career and Graduate School”, “Presenting and Publishing Your Research”, and “Mock Presentations”. These workshops were a cornerstone of the WIRE experience, providing practical knowledge and hands-on training.

The culmination of the WIRE program was the highly anticipated WIRE Research Showcase. This event provided a platform for students to deliver a five-minute presentation about their projects to 75 Wilkinson College faculty, staff, and guests. The showcase was a vibrant celebration of achievement and innovation, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the participants. The diversity of topics covered in the showcase was truly impressive, reflecting the wide range of interests and expertise among the participants.

“The Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience is more than just a research program; it is a comprehensive journey of discovery, growth, and achievement,” said Allison DeVries, Wilkinson College’s Manager of Research Development and Administration. “I encourage all aspiring student researchers to seize the opportunity to participate in WIRE and embark on their own transformative journey.” 

To learn more about each of the student projects, please see our December blog post, Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE) Program: Empowering Student Innovation, and stay tuned, as WIRE students share with us their experiences with WIRE and reflect on the program in their own words in future newsletters, blog posts, and on Instagram.