‘Bursting with Pride’: DMACC Students Stand Out at Statewide Sociological Research Showcase

DMACC Carroll Campus welcomed students and faculty from across Iowa for the 2026 Iowa Sociological Association Conference - an energizing day of research, collaboration, and big ideas about the world we live in. More than 80 attendees joined from various Iowa institutions, including Augustana University, Cornell College, Grandview University, Hawkeye Community College, Iowa State, Loras College, Luther College, Marshalltown Community College, UNI, and William Penn.

Twenty-one students presented original research on topics ranging from identity and media, with DMACC students making a strong showing among both presenters and award winners. Judging for all awards was conducted by professors from William Penn, ISU, UNI, and Hawkeye CC.

Three DMACC students won an award for their research:

Otto Lima - Mary Alice Ericson Award (1st/2nd year student open topic paper) for a presentation titled "Military Masculinity and Identity Transition."

Jacob Jay - MSS-ISA Rising Scholar in Sociology Award (1st/2nd/3rd year open topic), presentation titled "The Social Problem of Video Games."

Aslekha Nepal - Keith Crew Research Poster Award, poster titled "How internet and social media influences the way we build our personal image, identity and personality traits."

"I was bursting with pride for them," said Rebecca J. Tuxhorn, Ph.D., Instructor of Sociology at Carroll Campus and co-president of the Iowa Sociological Association. "My hope in our future is bolstered by these young minds."

The conference's student workshop featured Casandra Eames, City of Ames Engagement Coordinator, and the event's guest speaker was Dr. Chris Morris, Postdoc Research Associate at Iowa State University, whose research focuses on rural and agricultural issues.

The Iowa Sociological Association is an undergraduate-focused academic association organizing an annual meeting where undergraduates present their research in a formal yet supportive environment. The first ISA Conference was held at Iowa State University in 1959.