Middle Tennessee State University’s Scholars Week 2026 once again brought student research, scholarship, and creative activity to the forefront, showcasing the breadth of academic inquiry happening across campus and reinforcing MTSU’s growing research culture.
Held throughout the week and culminating with a universitywide poster exposition, Scholars Week provided students from every discipline the opportunity to present projects developed through months of work alongside faculty mentors. From STEM research and social sciences to the arts and humanities, the event reflected the university’s commitment to high‑impact, mentored learning experiences.
At the center of the planning efforts were student leaders Gulnur Ashyrnepesova (industrial-organizational psychology) and Zaynab Alnassari (biology), co‑chairs of the Student Scholars Week Committee.
“Our biggest goal was to create a space where students felt excited and comfortable sharing their hard work,” explained Ashyrnepesova. “We really wanted to show how much amazing research and creative work is happening across campus, and make the event feel welcoming and engaging for everyone, especially for people who were attending to see what our beloved students have been researching.”
For Alnassari, stepping into the role was both challenging and rewarding. She emphasized that the success of Scholars Week 2026 ultimately came down to teamwork.
“Scholars Week is the space where months or even years of research are showcased. It is indicative of a positive and advancing research culture at MTSU,” she said. “The success of organizing Scholars Week 2026 has truly been a team effort. I could not have asked for a better group to work with.”
To encourage participation across different disciplines, the committee intentionally drew from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
“We had students majoring in biochemistry, business, biology, psychology, and more, which allowed us to gather diverse input and effectively spread awareness across different departments,” Alnassari said.
The committee also partnered with the Student Organization for the Advancement of Research, or SOAR, used social media outreach, distributed yard signs across campus, and introduced a Scholars Week T‑shirt design contest, with the winning design featured at the event.
“One moment that really captured the spirit of collaboration was the work done by the marketing team,” Alnassari said. “They created flower‑themed flyers that could fold into an actual flower. Seeing that idea come together really showed the passion behind Scholars Week.”
Behind the scenes, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs plays a critical role in coordinating and sustaining the annual event. Katie Medrano, ORSP program manager, said Scholars Week directly reflects the university’s research mission.
“Scholars Week showcases student research, creative projects and academic work,” Medrano said. “This event represents the university’s mission by emphasizing the importance of student research, academic excellence, and collaboration between students, faculty and the community.”
Planning for Scholars Week is a year‑round effort. This year’s participation levels stood out.
“The number of student presenters was the highest since I began working at MTSU four years ago,” Medrano said. “The percentage of graduate student participation skyrocketed, and we saw increased faculty support through volunteer judges and attendees. Community members joined us this year as well, along with families of student presenters.”
Preparing students to take part in Scholars Week begins long before the event itself, with support from the Undergraduate Research Center. According to URC Director Jamie Burriss, preparation is embedded throughout the academic year.
“Through programs like URECA, peer mentoring, and skill‑building workshops, we support students at every stage of the research process — from idea development to dissemination,” Burriss said. “Leading up to Scholars Week, the URC provides targeted resources such as poster templates, presentation workshops, and one‑on‑one guidance.”
Burriss described Scholars Week as a direct expression of the URC’s mission.
“At its core, our work is about expanding access to mentored, high‑impact learning experiences,” she said. “Scholars Week reinforces the idea that students are not just learners, but knowledge creators.”
Rather than pointing to a single standout project, Burriss highlighted the diversity of work on display.
“What stands out most is the breadth of disciplines represented, from STEM and social sciences to the arts and humanities,” she said. “Many projects demonstrated strong community impact, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clear connections to future career pathways.”
For many students, presenting at Scholars Week is transformative.
“Participating often marks the moment when students begin to see themselves as scholars,” Burriss said. “Presenting their work builds confidence, validates their efforts, and helps them articulate the value of their experiences.”
For more information, visit mtsu.edu/scholarsweek/.
— Robin E. Lee (robin.e.lee@mtsu.edu)
