Graduate Student Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Graduate student Nakaja Weaver researching algorithmic bias in social media

March 19, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Sociology graduate student Nakaja Weaver is about to wrap up a research project that allowed her to blend her passion for art with her quest for knowledge.

Weaver seized the opportunity to turn her interests into a full-fledged project after taking a class with her academic advisor, Dr. Abby Templer Rodrigues.

“I began this research project after taking a class on public sociology and community (SOC 398),” Weaver said. “In that course, we discussed topics about community, social capital and inequality.”

Weaver launched her project, titled “The Impact of Social Media Algorithms on Black Artists Through a Black Feminist Lens,” in May 2023.

This April, she will discuss her findings by presenting a paper at the Midwest Sociological Society conference and then give a poster presentation at the Missouri Academy of Science conference.

Weaver also hopes to publish her finished work in an academic journal.

Aaron Khaw switches out test tubes for cameras

December 17, 2023 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

From biology to dramatic writing, Aaron Khaw, a second-year graduate student at Missouri State University, has explored many paths to fulfill his desire to be a film and TV producer.

Khaw is pursuing a master’s degree in dramatic writing in MSU’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film (CMJF).

Man stands on rocks in water — Aaron Khaw visits a lake at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota.

A native of Malaysia, Khaw began his bachelor’s degree in biology at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota.

“Science was the ‘elite’ category in Malaysia,” Khaw said. “I also loved animals as a child and thought I would become a veterinary doctor, which is why I pursued biology in the first place.”

But when he was nearing graduation, Khaw was no longer confident about his science choice. He then moved to San Francisco for a short time, where he remembered his love for Hollywood.

“I grew up watching Hollywood shows and always wondered about the filmmaking process,” Khaw said. “So, I decided to pursue a film and television production certificate from Orange Coast College.”

In 2019, Khaw directed and edited the documentary titled, “Empty Vessel.” When it was chosen to be showcased at the Newport Beach Film Festival, he knew he had found the right path.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Khaw lost the opportunity to work as a production assistant for a Nike commercial in New York. So, he returned to Malaysia and worked as an editor and producer at Comberry Studios, a German media production company.

“I worked on short-form documentaries for about eight months,” Khaw said. “After that, I knew I wanted to come back to the U.S. for grad school, so I came to MSU.”

Making sense of the world through the lens of history

October 31, 2023 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

Shania Dedigama, a Missouri State University first-year graduate student, has been fascinated by history and politics from an early age.

“My mom, a history enthusiast, read history books to me as a toddler,” Dedigama said. “From the age of six, I knew I wanted to study history and I told all my friends.”

Student poses with umbrella with castle in background — Shania Dedigama visits Dean Village in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Hailing from Sri Lanka, Dedigama earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the U.K. and a master’s degree in political science from the Netherlands. She is now pursuing another master’s degree in history at MSU.

“I chose MSU because it appeared as one of the best history programs on Google. MSU’s history program also gives me expertise not only in history, but also in political science,” Dedigama said.

She notes having expertise in two disciplines increases her prospects to work for organizations like the United Nations and the Council on Foreign Relations.

“I’ll also get a better chance of getting into an impressive PhD program in the future,” she added.

It is not surprising Dedigama has chosen to enhance her portfolio with another master’s degree.

“The workforce keeps growing; you must stand out,” Dedigama said.

After getting her first master’s degree, Dedigama worked as a journalist at News 1st, Sri Lanka’s largest private news organization.

During this period, she gained experience in investigative reporting and political writing.

“I sat on the journalists panel of a weekly political talk show called ‘Face the Nation,’” Dedigama said. “I interviewed politicians, economists and policy makers live on TV.” [Read more…] about Making sense of the world through the lens of history