ortheast Regional Honors Council
The Haven of Honors:
Cultivating Innovative, Upstanding, and Impactful Leaders
NRHC 2026
March 26-29, 2026
presentation formats
There are six presentation formats at NRHC.
Choose the format that you think will work best for sharing your research. Scroll down for disciplinary track descriptions.
Academic Panel Presentations
Academic panel presentations give students the opportunity to share their research findings from any discipline on a panel with up to three other students who share similar research topics. Students are encouraged to present dynamically on their topic, and if reading a paper, to engage their audience through eye contact and, where useful, visual illustrations. Technology will be available to support a slideshow or other visual aids. Q&A time will be allotted. Students must identify the disciplinary track that best reflects their research topic.
Poster Presentations
Academic poster presentations are an excellent way to showcase research and findings to a dynamic audience. Students present their research on a tri-fold poster board, measuring 48×36 inches. During the session, presenters will discuss their research and findings with a roving audience of individuals or small groups. Presentations from all disciplines are welcome. Students must identify the disciplinary track that best reflects their research topic.
Roundtable Presentations
Unlike the academic panel presentation which foregrounds individual presentations and offers minimal time for discussion, the roundtable presentation makes discussion between presenters and audience members its core activity. Presenters craft brief presentations or a series of remarks meant to stimulate interaction and discussion. Whatever the focus of the proposal, remember that in keeping with the roundtable format, presenters should seek to gain insights, engage in conversation, offer solutions, and discuss their topic with the audience. Students must identify the disciplinary track that best reflects their research topic.
Idea Exchange Presentations
The Idea Exchange provides an opportunity to share the exciting ideas and innovative strategies used in proposers’ honors programs/colleges. Presenters create lively tabletop displays and handouts to attract others and facilitate conversations. This fast-paced session runs concurrently with poster sessions. We encourage proposals presenting ideas and practices that are new, creative, and/or innovative; that document success; and that have a clear fit with this type of session. This presentation format usually showcases presentations in the Honors Education and Practices disciplinary track. This presentation format is for students only. Faculty who wish to present must choose the Professional Development presentation format.
Performing arts and Film showcase
Presenters in this format showcase their work in music, singing, acting, dancing, filmmaking, or any other performance artform. While we encourage presenters to tap into the power of this year’s conference theme, other proposals will be considered for inclusion as well. In this presentation format, students introduce a live performance or a short film to a live audience as part of a panel of presenters. There is no limit to the length of the original film or performance submission, but the presentation must be limited to 15 minutes. Longer works can be presented through targeted excerpts. Time will be allotted for questions and discussion. These presentations will likely fit into the Arts disciplinary track; however, we welcome performance pieces from other disciplinary tracks as well.
NEW in 2026!
Professional Development
(For Professionals Only)
Are you an honors professional with a best practice to share? If so, this format has been created for you to showcase your innovations. Inspired by our previous Consultants’ Corner, this year, anyone can be a consultant. You can present your idea as a poster or engage other professionals at a roundtable or an idea exchange. All of these presentations will be at a session exclusively for honors administrators, faculty, and staff.
Disciplinary track descriptions
Once you have decided on a presentation format, identify the disciplinary track that aligns with your focus or topic.
strand descriptions
The Arts (Music, Performing Arts, Film and Photography, Fine Arts)
Presenters in the arts track are invited to share their creative scholarship on the topics of music, theater, dance, film, photography, fine art, design, or other media. Students are encouraged to integrate research with practice to share theoretical foundations as well as old and new methodologies, while focusing on relevance, application, or interpretation. This disciplinary track welcomes presentations in any presentation format.
Reviewed by Kathryn MacDonald (Monroe University) and Hillary Sackett-Taylor (Westfield State University)
strand descriptions
Business, economics, and technology
This track encourages student proposals that explore how technological innovation can be harnessed to create sustainable public or private economic growth, jobs, educational opportunities, or a higher quality of living. How has politics affected the decisions of businesses or new technology attempting to endure business cycle fluctuations, domestic and international competition, depletion of resources, and international trade wars? How will new banking and trading technologies or artificial intelligence affect capital investment, socioeconomic mobility, and the wealth gap? This disciplinary track welcomes presentations in any presentation format.
Reviewed by Mike Tasto (Southern New Hampshire University) and Hillary Sackett-Taylor (Westfield State University)
strand descriptions
Education
The Education track is the place for proposals that focus on one of our most important social institutions – our schools. There are many possibilities for important and creative analysis within this track: proposals might focus on curriculum, teaching practices, student activism, or cultural representations of teachers, students, and schools—among other possibilities. What role must our educational system play in the creation of impactful, upstanding citizens? What role should education play in resolving cultural and political conflicts? And perhaps most importantly, what education will best prepare young citizens and future innovators for the challenges and opportunities ahead? This disciplinary track welcomes presentations in any presentation format.
Reviewed by Tanya Radford (Dominican University New York) and AnnMarie DelliPizzi (Dominican University New York)
strand descriptions
History, Politics, and Culture
This track invites papers that address the study of historical and political events, movements, or trends, and their cultural and societal impact. This may include interdisciplinary explorations of identity, power, and perspectives as well as the cultural dynamics that shape them. Given this year’s theme, proposals might also address issues of moral and social responsibility and/or leadership trends throughout history. This disciplinary track welcomes presentations in any presentation format.
Reviewed by Jessica McCort (Point Park University) and Sarah Roe (Southern Connecticut State University)
strand descriptions
Honors Education and practices
This track welcomes proposals that provide examples of the many ways that honors education and practices encourage academic excellence, build strong communities, and create the leaders of tomorrow. This track is built for honors programs and colleges to showcase their best practices in all aspects of honors (i.e. advising and mentoring; communication strategies; building community; diversity, equity, and inclusion; experiential learning; programming and special events; student recruitment and marketing; student leadership and involvement; unique courses or course activities; budgeting strategies and funding; faculty and adjunct training; transition planning between directors; collaboration, buy in, administrative support; technology, distance learning, and honors education).
Student proposers can propose in any presentation format. Professionals interested in presenting about honors education and practices should choose the Professional Development format and then specify presentation type as directed.
Reviewed by Chris Brittain (Ocean County College) and Sarah Roe (Southern Connecticut State University)
strand descriptions
language, literature, and philosophy
The Language, Literature, and Philosophy track invites proposals that engage questions related to the study of language use, the interpretation of literary and other cultural texts (such as film and television), and the philosophical investigation of ideas. Research in these fields often yields insights about human nature, social and political relationships, and ethical decision-making, helping us to understand our past and envision possible futures. This disciplinary track welcomes presentations in any presentation format.
Reviewed by Diana Polley (U.S. Air Force Academy) and Jessica McCort (Point Park University)
strand descriptions
Media Studies and Communications Arts (Mass Media, Journalism, and Digital Communications)
This disciplinary track encompasses the evolution and influence of traditional forms of mass media (i.e. radio, television, or film) and journalism (i.e. print, web-based, television/cable, or satellite radio), as well as the ever-growing world of digital communications (i.e. websites, subscriber services, or apps). The possibilities are infinite, prompting the examination of how communication technologies are shaping our world and the complex narratives they convey. This disciplinary track welcomes presentations in any presentation format.
Reviewed by Kathryn MacDonald (Monroe University) and Chris Brittain (Ocean County College)
strand descriptions
natural sciences, mathematics, and allied health
The disciplines encompassed by science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) drive innovation and shape every aspect of our lives, from fueling the economy to national security. STEM nurtures critical thinking skills and cultivates the next generation of trailblazers and problem solvers. Advances such as telemedicine, drug development, and simulation training have transformed our current healthcare system. This track invites proposals that showcase research and innovation in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, technology, and allied health fields. This disciplinary track welcomes presentations in any presentation format.
Reviewed by AnnMarie DelliPizzi (Dominican University New York) and Tanya Radford (Dominican University New York)
Social Sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Archaeology, Geography, and Jurisprudence)
The social sciences explore the interconnected behavior of individuals, groups, institutions, culture, and society. They examine the relationships among individuals, social groups, and communities at large. While psychology focuses on mental processes of individuals and their behavior in small groups, other social sciences such as anthropology and sociology focus on the behavior and impact of culture and societal institutions. Still others such as geography and jurisprudence focus on the role of demography and the law in shaping behavior. Applied fields might explore the responsibilities that entities like businesses, schools, health care providers, and non-profit organizations have in considering scientific consensus regarding their policies and focus. For this track, we seek proposals that explore the sociology, anthropology, psychology, archaeology, geography, or jurisprudence branches of the social sciences. We also welcome proposals that engage in interdisciplinary study of society and the interlocking institutions that shape it. Proposals might range from critical evaluations of current problems to discussion for opportunities for change in the future. This disciplinary track welcomes presentations in any presentation format.
Reviewed by Zachary Aidala (Bloomfield College of Montclair State University) and Diana Polley (U.S. Air Force Academy)
proposal rubric
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being completely unsatisfactory and 5 being extremely satisfactory), please rate the proposal in the following areas:
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Context and Background on Topic (Does the proposer give appropriate details to contextualize their topic?)
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Presentation Purpose (Is the proposer’s purpose clear? Have they stated what the audience will learn?)
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Creativity of Idea (Does the proposer have a creative way of approaching the topic?)
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Usage and Grammar (Is the proposal coherent? Is it well-written?)
TOTAL POINTS = ___/20