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UCM Scholars Symposium
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines are encouraged to present their research, creative projects, and scholarly work at the annual UCM Scholars Symposium at the University of Central Missouri. This symposium takes place during the spring semester each year.
The goals of the Symposium are to showcase the outstanding quality and diversity of research and scholarship at UCM.
Benefits of presenting at the Symposium
- Allows students or staff to build their resume and faculty to build their vitae.
- Provides a comfortable environment and good starting point for student's professional and scholarly careers.
- Provides students, staff, and faculty with the opportunity to practice and enhance their communication skills.
- Enables students, staff, and faculty to share their projects and scholarly work with the UCM campus.
- Does not cost anything to participate.
Registration is free for current UCM students, faculty, and staff . Registration is open to all current UCM students enrolled during the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters, current faculty, and current staff performing any type of research, scholarship, or creative work, completed or in progress. The registration deadline is Friday, February 6, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.
Before accessing the registration form, collect the following items/information:
- title of presentation
- abstract for presentation (250 words)
- all authors/presenters (faculty, staff, student) name and email addresses
- RSVP information for all co-authors
- presentation format selection
- DOR response letter or IRB/IACUC approval letter
- Thursday, April 2, 2026 marked on your calendar!
UCM Student Presentations
UCM students enrolled for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 are eligible to participate. The Symposium is open to any student performing any type of research, scholarship, or creative work, completed or in progress. UCM students can participate in the Symposium through one of the following presentation formats:
Oral or Performance-Based Presentation details:
- Students can share their scholarly work via oral presentation (in-person)
- Multiple students can present
- 10-12 minute presentation, with 3 minutes for Q&A
- Overall, the presentation must provide an in-depth explanation of the research project, professional topic, or creative work
- Visual aid required (Google Slides or PowerPoint is recommended)
Poster or Creative Work Display details:
- Students can share their scholarly work via poster or display (no verbal presentation)
- All posters will be displayed during the Symposium on April 2, 2026
- Projects with multiple students are acceptable
- Overall, the poster must provide an in-depth explanation of the research project, professional topic, or creative work
- See here for additional information and recommendations for designing your poster
- Please review the Scholars Symposium Poster Judging Rubric, which our judges will use to evaluate the poster submissions. Students selected for outstanding work will be recognized during the afternoon Awards Ceremony.
- If requested, student posters can be printed by the Office of Undergraduate Research at NO COST to the student.
- If you would like our office to print your poster, poster file must be submitted via email, in an electronic file, to undergradresearch@ucmo.edu by midnight on February 27, 2026
- If you are printing your own poster, it must be dropped off in the Graduate Studies office, Ward Edwards 1900 by March 26, 2026 (It is the responsibility of the staff/faculty to coordinate, print, and pay for their poster.)
E-entry Video Presentation details:
- Students can share their scholarly work via a pre-recorded electronic presentation available on April 2, 2026 via the UCM website
- Multiple students can present
- Students can create a 5-10 minute prerecorded narrated PowerPoint presentation or similar presentation format
- The electronic presentation must include a verbal explanation and visual aids
- Overall, the presentation must provide an in-depth explanation of the research project, professional topic, or creative work
- Presentations must be submitted via email, in an electronic file, to undergradresearch@ucmo.edu by midnight on February 27, 2026
Staff and Faculty
UCM faculty and staff are invited to showcase their scholarly work to the campus community. The Symposium is open to any faculty or staff performing any type of research, scholarship, or creative work, completed or in progress. All faculty and staff can participate in the Symposium:
Poster Presentation details:
- Staff and faculty can share their scholarly work via poster (no verbal presentation)
- All posters will be displayed during the symposium on April 2, 2026
- Projects with multiple authors/researchers are acceptable
- Overall, the presentation must provide an in-depth explanation of the research project, professional topic, or creative work
- Posters must be dropped off in the Graduate Studies office, Ward Edwards 1900 by March 26, 2026 (It is the responsibility of the staff/faculty to coordinate, print, and pay for their poster.)
Students who register for the Symposium by the registration deadline will receive an official certificate of participation to include in their resume/digital portfolio. Students will also receive a gift of appreciation for participating in this year's event.
2026 UCM Scholars Symposium
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Elliott Student Union (various locations)
Warrensburg Campus
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
8:30am-9:15am - Breakfast - Union 240
9:00am-3:00pm - Open viewing of Research Posters - Union 238
9:30am-10:45am - Student Oral Presentations - Session 1, Union, various rooms
11:00am-12:15pm - Student Oral Presentations - Session 2, Union, various rooms
12:15pm-1:45pm - Luncheon - Union 240
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Provost Panel Discussion
2:00pm-3:15pm - Student Oral Presentations - Session 3, Union, various rooms
3:30pm-4:15pm - Award Ceremony - Union 240
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Awards presented to the Reid Hemphill Outstanding Graduate Student Scholarship, Warren C. & Dorothy B. Lovinger Graduate Student Scholarship, and Graduate Student Achievement Scholarship recipients
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Awards presented to poster winners
4:15pm-5:00pm - Reception and social time - Union 238
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Open viewing of Research Posters
Contact
Dr. Tom Goldstein
Director of Undergraduate Research
(660) 543-8128
Tel: undergradresearch@ucmo.edu
