Three students from The College of New Jersey presented research papers on Apr. 20 at the biennial Kentucky Conference on Health Communication. The undergraduate and graduate students, Gabriella Rees, Timi Kapp, and Alexa Gombas, shared their work in poster sessions after developing their papers in classes taught by John Pollock, professor of communication studies.
The conference is notable for bringing together scholars to discuss health communication topics. Nancy Harrington, a long-time conference organizer, said, “In a trend inspired by Pollock, who began bringing his undergraduate students to KCHC decades ago, this year witnessed particularly strong undergraduate student representation, with multiple universities represented beyond TCNJ.”
Rees described her experience as special and said it allowed her to expand her understanding of health communication and share her research with others. Kapp said she was honored to represent TCNJ and share her work with peers and experts. “The intellectually stimulating posters, papers, and workshops showcased the work of multiple esteemed researchers and scholars in the public health/health communication realm,” she said.
Gombas also found the event inspiring. “Expanding knowledge in health communication is essential to improving health systems, and this conference provided valuable exposure to innovative and influential research advancing that goal,” she said.
Faculty members praised the students’ achievements. Natasha Patterson said interdisciplinary collaboration is key for innovation: “This decade-spanning tradition of scholarly excellence not only elevates our students’ professional trajectories but also highlights TCNJ’s role in shaping the future of health communication.” Yachao “Bruce” Li added: “It is exciting to learn that our health communication students and faculty can serve as vibrant exemplars for those at other colleges and universities.”
Student participation was supported by a scholarship fund established by Charles and Barbaranne DiMarco in memory of their son Garrett DiMarco. The College offers degree programs across disciplines like arts, business, and engineering according to the official website. It focuses on education aimed at cultivating critical thinkers and leaders according to the official website, maintains a 289-acre tree-lined campus according to the official website, has earned recognition such as a Phi Beta Kappa chapter in 2006 according to the official website as well as an award from the Council on Undergraduate Research in 2015 according to the official website, and its teams have secured numerous NCAA championships according to the official website.
