In 2023, English 310, students weren’t just completing assignments—they were making a real impact. Led by Professor Lori Rogers, they took on research service projects that benefited community organizations, applying their scholarship beyond the classroom.

Rogers, a longtime advocate of service-learning, introduced an “agentic” approach that put students in charge of their research and solutions. Instead of letting their work “collect dust,” they tackled real issues, helping nonprofits that lacked the resources to conduct in-depth research.

The results spoke for themselves. Five students, working in a team setting in fall 2022, were selected to present at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR):

• Kristin Bianco (Environmental Biology): “Rainwater Harvesting: A Lens into Sustainability Initiatives” – Researching urban rainwater initiatives to inform local sustainability efforts.
• Jeremy Burnett (Creative Writing): “Writing to Survive: Establishing Writing Workshops for Working-Class Communities” – Exploring the role of creative writing in empowering marginalized voices.
• Nicholas DuBerry (Modern Language/Translation): “Promoting Adult Literacy Programs in Southwest Missouri” – Investigating methods to enhance adult literacy education.
• Emily McKenna (Literature): “Implementing Transformative Justice into Our Neighborhoods: A Collaborative Model” – Examining justice reform strategies within local communities.
• Jacob Rosencrans (Anthropology): “A Proposal for Blended Housing in Springfield, Missouri” – Researching sustainable and inclusive housing models.

This experience didn’t just earn the students conference recognition—it gave them a solid portfolio piece for graduate school and job applications. More importantly, it changed how they saw research. “When I met with them to go over their proposals, I can’t think of any other time where a student facing a 15 to 18-page paper said, ‘I’m really excited about this,’” Rogers said.

With this success, Rogers hopes more students realize how their academic work can drive real change. “What we do here is producing knowledge that impacts communities and creates change,” she said.

The work of these students proves that when given the opportunity, research isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a tool for making a difference.