Graduate Showcase Competition

The Graduate Showcase Competition challenges graduate students to present the significance of their work, research, or creative enterprise in a very short amount of time to a general audience.

This is the cornerstone event during our Graduate Student Appreciation Week. 

 

Graduate Showcase Group Poster Session

Thursday, April 10th, 5-6pm

Carroll Hall

 

The Graduate Showcase Group Poster Session was created as a way for groups to participate in the competition and excitement of the 3-Minute Graduate Showcase. This is a contest that challenges graduate students to summarize their group research within the confines of a 30”x40” poster for presentation to a general audience.

 

Cash prizes ($100) will be awarded to each member of the winning group, as chosen by audience vote.

 

Abstract Submissions: If you are working under the guidance of a faculty member, no abstract is needed. If you are not, please submit your abstract and group information online! Submission link TBA. 

 

Poster Deadline: Digital files (sized to 30”x40”) must be submitted to Gabby Jacobsen (jacobseng@winthrop.edu). Deadline TBA.

 

3-Minute Graduate Showcase Competition

Online Competition: Wednesday, April 9th, 4:30-5:30pm, via Zoom

In-Person Competition: Thursday, April 10th, 6-7:30pm, Whitton Auditorium, Carroll Hall

 

The Three Minute Graduate Showcase (3MGS) modifies the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition created by the University of Queensland—a contest that challenges graduate students to summarize their research within three minutes to a general audience. The University of Queensland developed the contest in 2008 to help graduate students improve their oral communication skills.

 

This year we have also added an online 3-Minute Showcase for those who are unable to come to campus on April 10th. Your program modality does not affect your participation in any of these events. If you are an in-person student but getting to campus is a challenge, you are welcome to participate in the Wednesday, online showcase. And if you are an online student but want to participate in-person, we would love to have you join!

 

Cash prizes will be awarded to first place ($300), second place ($150), and to a “People’s Choice” winner chosen by audience members ($150).

 

Competition Entry: Register using this link.

 

PowerPoint Slide Deadline: Tuesday, April 8th to Gabby Jacobsen jacobseng@winthrop.edu

 

3MGS Practice Sessions: Practice sessions, both in-person and online, will be available the week prior and the week of the competition. Dates and times will be communicated to the participants. Contact Gabby Jacobsen (jacobseng@winthrop.edu) with questions.

 

This is a Cultural Event.

Cultural Event Credit

 

Competition Details

 

*This video contains some helpful tips for the presentations. However, it was produced during COVID-19, and pre-recorded presentations are no longer permitted.

 

Information for Participants

If you’re interested in competing in the Graduate Showcase Competition, you can find the information you need to participate below.

    • Only current graduate students in good academic standing are eligible to compete.
    • A student’s program of study must contain an original research or creative project.
    • The degree program does not require a thesis or dissertation. 
    • Students participating in the 3MGS cannot also participate in a group poster session.
      • Abstracts for the poster session are due by e-mail to Dr. Philip Gibson, Spring 2025 deadline TBA.
      • Abstracts for the 3 Minute Graduate Showcase are now closed. Spring 2025 deadline TBA.
      • Presentations are to begin with students introducing themselves and identifying their graduate program.
      • Presentations will be recorded and may be shared on the WU Graduate Studies website and through other media platforms.
      • Posters may be retained by Graduate Studies for use in other events.
      • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations, or movement of any description). The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
      • No additional electronic media (i.e. sound or video files) are permitted.
      • No additional props (i.e. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
      • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum; competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified automatically.
      • Presentations are to be delivered via spoken word (i.e. no poems, raps, or songs).
      • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
      • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

    The winning group of the Graduate Showcase Poster Session and the “People's Choice” winner of the 3 Minute Graduate Showcase will be decided by audience vote.  Instructions for voting will be available at the finals event.

    There will be three judges for the first and second place winners of the 3 Minute Graduate Showcase competition. Judges will evaluate competitors on these general categories:

      • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
      • Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
      • Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
      • Was the research topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
      • Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
      • Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of the presentation - or did the presenter elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
      • Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
      • Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize the research?
      • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for the research?
      • Did the presenter capture and maintain the audience's attention?
      • Did the speaker have sufficient presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
      • Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

 

Thanks to our 2023 3MGS Judges!

We greatly appreciate the time, feedback, and expertise of our 3MGS final contest judges. 

  • Celeste Tiller, Vice President of Talent & Workforce Development, York County Chamber of Commerce

  • Jennifer McAdams, Executive Director of Planning, Catawba Nation

  • Lee Clark, Learning Designer, Office of Online Learning, Winthrop University

 

3MGS Winners

2024 Winners

First Place | Austin Reynolds | Studio Art

Second Place| T'Keya Isom | Social Work

People's Choice | T'Keya Isom | Social Work

Group Poster Session | Alison Chisolm, Jacklyn Lyu, Belen Salazar Tijerino and Aliraj Virani | College of Business

 

2023 Winners

First Place | Jasmine Moyd | Teaching [View Video]

Second Place | Emily Shelton | Studio Art [View Video]

People’s Choice | Jasmine Moyd | Teaching [View Video]

Group Poster Session | Thamer Almushaigah, Marvin Brooks, Andrew Cumbo and James Marino | College of Business

 

2022 Winners

First Place | Christina Melchiorre | Studio Art | [View Video]

Second Place | Grant Mahan | Studio Art | [View Video]

People's Choice | Bethany Salisbury | Studio Art | [View Video]

 

2021 Winners

First Place | Shea Nunn | Teaching

Second Place | Troi' Williams | Counseling and Development 

People's Choice | Devann Gardner | Studio Art 

 

2020 Winners

First Place | Nicole Davenport | Arts Administration  [View Video]

Second Place | Oscar Soto | Studio Art  [View Video]

People's Choice | Carson Pender | English  [View Video]

 

2019 Winners

First Place | Ashley Graham | Biology

Second Place | Taylor Harrison | Human Nutrition

People's Choice | Garrett Driscoll | Biology