On May 6 at the Rayburn Student Center, East Texas A&M University students highlighted research, creativity and academic growth during the Spring 2026 Learning Showcase, a campuswide event featuring the work of first-year students.

Held each semester, the showcase brought together students from CID 1300 (The Student and The University), CID 2301 (The Human Experience) and ENG 1302 (Written Argument and Research) to present projects addressing real-world challenges, cultural connections and community-based research. This spring, approximately 942 students participated, with more than 700 presenting in person and others submitting work online.

The yearly event is supported by Student Transition and Support, which helps new students adjust to college life while connecting them with campus resources and opportunities. Through these courses and initiatives, students begin developing research, communication and critical thinking skills early in their academic careers.

One memorable CID 2301 project, taught by Dr. Tracy Henley, featured a group of first-year students who created and performed an original song inspired by the classic graphic novel Maus. Written by freshman Nicolas Lee, the piece captured the tone of early- to mid-20th century band music and was performed by Lee alongside Mackenzie Deaver on vocals, Hannah Johnson on French horn, Jayson Terrell on trombone and Joshua Yeoh. The performance blended historical influence with creative interpretation, resulting in a polished and engaging presentation that drew strong interest from attendees.

Another standout presentation explored cultural differences between international and traditional college students, offering recommendations to better support students transitioning to campus life. There was a student who sought to dispel the negative presumptions about people who listen to heavy metal. There were track athletes investigating how locker room communication translates to the field. Research among the students spanned all manner of subjects, even one student who tried to understand the thinking among flat earthers.

“The Learning Showcase exists to remind us what our students are capable of,” said Sierra Jones, director of Student Transition and Support. “I’m consistently struck by the creativity and perspective they bring and the way they connect their academic work to the world they actually live in. Watching a student overcome their anxiety about presenting and leave smiling, surrounded by classmates, instructors and staff who supported them, is exactly why we do this.”

The Learning Showcase continues to serve as a launching point for student success at East Texas A&M, giving first-year students the confidence and experience to pursue research, share ideas and engage fully in their academic journey.