Graduate Showcase Competition

The Graduate Showcase is a modification of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, created by the University of Queensland in 2008, in which graduate students are challenged to summarize their research with only three minutes and one slide, to a general audience. The competition was developed to help graduate students improve their oral communication skills.

This is an incredibly exciting event and truly the cornerstone of our Graduate Student Appreciation Week. We encourage all graduate students to participate or attend!

2025 showcase winners

 


3-Minute Competition

3MGS pics

Thursday, April 10th, 6 p.m., Whitton Auditorium, Carroll Hall

You have three minutes and one slide...think you have what it takes?

 

This contest, first developed by the University of Queensland in 2008, challenges graduate students to summarize their research/project/passion within three minutes to a general audience which helps students improve their oral communication skills.

Prizes: in-person Thursday session: cash prizes will be awarded to first place ($300), second place ($150), and to a “People’s Choice” winner chosen by audience members ($150).

For the online Wednesday session, one “People’s Choice” winner will be chosen by audience members ($150).

PowerPoint Slide Deadline: 2026 coming soon!

Practice Sessions: practice sessions will be available to those who register and will be communicated ahead of time.

 

poster session

Group Poster Competition

Thursday, April 10th, 5 p.m., Whitton Auditorium, Carroll Hall

 

Groups of two or more graduate students are challenged to summarize their group research within the confines of a 30”x40” poster for presentation to a general audience.

Prizes: cash prizes ($100) will be awarded to each member of the “People’s Choice” winning group, as chosen by audience members

Poster Deadline: 2026 coming soon!

 


Thank you to our 2025 3MGS Judges!

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

  • Lee Clark, Learning Designer, Office of Online Learning
  • Sherry Hoyle, Program Director & Assocate Professor, Educational Leadership
  • April Mustian, Program Director & Professor, Special Education

Eligibility, Rules, & Judging Criteria

    • Must be a current graduate student in good academic standing.
    • Your program of study does NOT need to have a research or thesis component for you to compete.
    • Only a single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or movement of any description. 
    • No additional electronic media (i.e. sound or video files).
    • No additional props (i.e. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment).
    • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum; competitors exceeding three minutes will be disqualified.
    • The use of notes or cue cards are not permitted during the finals; however, they can be used during practice sessions as needed.
    • Presentations are to be delivered via spoken word (i.e. no poems, raps, or songs).
    • The decision of the panel of judges, for first and second place,.is final.
    • 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 promotions or other events.

    Online 3MGS sessions:

    Contestants will be held to the same standards of the in-person contestants.

    • Pre-recorded presentations are NOT permitted.
    • Presenters will need to be live during the session and during their three minute presentation will need to have most or all of their body visible within the camera frame.
    • Only a single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or movement of any description. 
    • No additional electronic media (i.e. sound or video files).
    • No additional props (i.e. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment).
    • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum; competitors exceeding three minutes will be disqualified.
    • The use of notes or cue cards are not permitted during the finals; however, they can be used during practice sessions as needed.
    • Presentations are to be delivered via spoken word (i.e. no poems, raps, or songs).
    • Presentations will be recorded and may be shared on the WU Graduate Studies website and through other media platforms.
    • “People's Choice” winners will be decided by the audience during the poster session and at the end of the 3MGS competition via online voting system.
    • A preselected panel of judges will determine the first and second place winners of the 3MGS.
    • Judges will not be privvy to the audience selection for People's Choice winner so it is possible that the same contestant may win two of the awards. Judges will only be consulted in the event of a tie during the audience vote.

     

    Judges will evaluate competitors on these general categories:

    ORAL PRESENTATION - 40 points possible

    Comprehension & Content

    • clear starting problem or question
    • clear description of the processes used, or research conducted
    • clear description of the conclusions, outcomes, and/or impact
    • call to action or description of future steps

    Engagement & Communication

    • oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience 
    • enthusiasm was conveyed for their work 
    • the presenter captured and maintained the audience’s attention 
    • conveyed a reason to care about the premise

    POWERPOINT SLIDE - 10 points possible

    • well-defined and enhanced presentation with graphics and pictures; any text is sparse and legible 
    • visible, readable and understandable from the back of the room
    • makes sense on its own

 


Graduate Showcase Winner History

 

    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

    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

    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]

    First Place | Shea Nunn | Teaching

    Second Place | Troi' Williams | Counseling and Development 

    People's Choice | Devann Gardner | Studio Art 

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

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

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

    First Place | Ashley Graham | Biology

    Second Place | Taylor Harrison | Human Nutrition

    People's Choice | Garrett Driscoll | Biology