Three Salisbury University undergraduate student researchers from the College of Health and Human Services’ Community Health Program recently competed in the 20th annual Student Case Competition at the International Leadership Association’s (ILA’s) annual conference in West Palm Beach, FL.
Community health majors Caryl Martirez of Great Mills, MD; Alyssa Rink of Hampstead, MD; and Vasti Zelaya of Germantown, MD, comprised the team, the first from SU to participate in the event.
The ILA Student Case Competition challenges teams to explain their research by identifying a social problem and applying a leadership theory as a possible solution to the problem.
The SU students presented their research case, “Empowering Leadership and Self-Leadership: Weapons in the Fight against Opioid Addiction,” as an interactive poster along with 14 other university teams from across the country.
“The opportunity to present was a great experience,” said Rink, captain of the SU team. “I was able to learn first-hand how to present and defend research. I also was given the opportunity to work closely with other students and mentors. This allowed me to learn different ideas and presentation techniques from each individual.”
“It was very exciting to have been the first team from SU to compete in the competition,” said Zelaya.
“This experience taught me how to be a team player and face adversity,” added Martirez.
The team’s research mentor, Dr. Sherry Maykrantz of the Community Health Program, praised the students for their efforts: “The team worked really hard and they were very prepared for the judges. They were fabulous and I couldn’t be more proud.”
SU’s researchers were supported by the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business’ Business, Education and Community Outreach Network (BEACON), the Provost’s Office, and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (OURCA).
The ILA is the largest, international, interdisciplinary leadership organization with over 6000 members in more than 70 nations. SU is an active institutional member.
Students interested in participating in future ILA competitions should contact Dr. Chrys Egan, OURCA co-director, at 410-677-5436 or cnegan@salisbury.edu.
For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.
