The Arts (Music, Performing Arts, Film and Photography, Fine Arts)

Art is a powerful medium through which we can ask difficult questions, present unique perspectives, make new connections, and engage our hearts and minds. Presenters in this strand are invited to share their creative scholarship in 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 new strand welcomes presentations in any presentation format. Presenters are encouraged to tap into the power of this year’s conference theme of “Civic Engagement at the Crossroads.”

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Reviewed by Hillary Sackett-Taylor (Westfield State University) and Tanya Radford (Dominican University New York)

Business, economics, and technology

This strand encourages student proposals that explore how technological progress or innovations in technology 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? We seek your creativity in these technical fields and look forward to reviewing your creative solutions to our theme: “Civic Engagement at the Crossroads.”

Reviewed by Mike Tasto (Southern New Hampshire University) and Tanya Radford (Dominican University New York)

Education

The Education strand invites proposals that focus on one of our most important social institutions – our schools. There are many possibilities for important and creative analysis within this strand: proposals might focus on curriculum, teaching practices, student activism, or cultural representations of teachers, students, and schools—among other possibilities. What cultural and political crossroads currently confront the education system? 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 crossroads ahead?

Reviewed by Jess McCort (Point Park University) & Chris Brittain (Ocean County College)

History, Politics, and Culture

This strand 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. Authors are encouraged to consider the conference theme while crafting their abstract. How do pivotal moments alter the trajectory of history and politics or impact culture? How does moving forward shift the direction of momentum, altering where one might go from the crossroads?

Reviewed by Gwen Kay (SUNY Oswego) and Hillary Sackett-Taylor (Westfield State University)

Honors Education and practices

Honors is a unique community of students, faculty, and staff who have insatiable curiosities, a hunger for knowledge, and a passion for lifelong learning. The Honors Education and Practices strand 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. Honors can be the leader in higher education by crafting meaningful, engaging, and creative experiences for students, faculty, and staff alike. We welcome presentations that discuss the unique successes of the honors programs and colleges of this region. Possible focal areas for presentations in the Honors Education and Practices strand could include but are not limited to: 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. This strand is designed to celebrate collaboration and sharing of strategies to ultimately improve our honors community as a whole. What crossroads lie in the path of honors education? And how are your programs charting a path through them?

This strand is unique, and we encourage proposals from both students and faculty/administrators. Student proposers may submit a proposal in any presentation format. Faculty or administrator proposers must choose the idea exchange format.

Reviewed by Chris Brittain (Ocean County College) and Gwen Kay (SUNY Oswego)

language, literature, and philosophy

The Language, Literature, and Philosophy strand invites proposals that engage questions related to the study of language use, literary and other cultural texts (such as film and television), and the philosophical investigations of ideas. While all proposals are welcome regardless of topic, the Language, Literature, and Philosophy strand encourages proposers to engage this year’s conference theme, “Civic Engagement at the Crossroads.” Questions students might consider include: How might our study of language, the literary arts, popular culture and philosophy help us to negotiate the crossroads in our culture, past and present, and envision a human future that is more just and more sustainable? How might interdisciplinary approaches, a crossroads approach common in this field, contribute to greater civic and cultural understanding?

Reviewed by Tanya Radford (Dominican University New York) and Jessica McCort (Lake Park University)

Media Studies and Communications Arts (Mass Media, Journalism, and Digital Communications)

This strand offers proposers a vast landscape for research, which could encompass 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). Potential research topics could explore the impact of social media on political discourse, the ethics of persuasion in advertising, or the representation of minority groups in film, to name a few. Gamechangers like mobile technologies have led to the rise of "citizen journalism," which challenges traditional news outlets. The endless cycle of streaming content allows for research that examines any number of phenomena (i.e. the effectiveness of health communication campaigns or the impact of increased screentime on an audience). The possibilities are infinite, prompting the examination of how communication technologies are shaping our world and the complex narratives they convey. As we look toward the 2025 NRHC Conference in Harrisburg, we encourage you to consider how media and communication technologies create "crossroads" between messenger and audience. Or how media can mobilize individuals to effectuate societal change. Or the phenomenon of how hit podcasts, television shows, or films unite people and close cultural divides. Whether you connect your research with our conference theme or not, we welcome your proposals in this strand.

Reviewed by Kathryn MacDonald (Monroe College) and Zachary Aidala (Bloomfield College of Montclair State University)

natural sciences, mathematics, and allied health

The disciplines encompassed by science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are drivers of innovation. STEM permeates all aspects of our lives and plays a pivotal role in fueling the economy and securing our nation’s future success. STEM nurtures critical thinking skills and cultivates the next generation of trailblazers and problem solvers. Innovations in STEM fields (such as telemedicine, drug development, and simulation training) have helped to shape our current healthcare system. We welcome proposals that share your discoveries in the fields of the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, technology, and allied health. Presenters are encouraged to consider how their research is at the crossroads of driving future innovations and societal changes.

Reviewed by AnnMarie DelliPizzi (Dominican University New York) and Gwen Kay (SUNY Oswego)