Hancock Joins Colleges Across Central Coast for SURP + Symposium

DECEMBER 15, 2022-- Allan Hancock College students and faculty joined their peers and colleagues from across the Central Coast to present nearly 75 summer research projects at the Summer Undergraduate Research Plus (SURP +) Symposium hosted by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Oct. 14.

Students from the Cal Poly College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Orfalea College of Business and the LSAMP B2B California Central Coast Community College Collaborative that includes Allan Hancock College, Cabrillo College, Cuesta College, Monterey Peninsula College, Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Santa Barbara City College and Ventura College worked on a variety of projects either individually or in interdisciplinary teams studying topics from mental health services to consumer patterns, to sports biomechanics, and everything in between.

“Allan Hancock College is proud to participate in collaborative efforts like the symposium, which showcases the talent and diversity of students pursuing degrees and careers in STEM fields,” said Hancock superintendent/president Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “This is how we change the odds for our STEM students.”

The California Central Coast Community College Collaborative (C6) helps STEM students across the Central Coast to excel in their academics and develop professional networks designed to assist them in entering into the STEM careers of their dreams.

“The alliance is committed to building a network between Central Coast colleges, local industry, neighboring universities and alumni to provide support and resources for our STEM students,” said LSAMP grant co-principal investigator Dominic Dal Bello, a professor of engineering and chair of mathematical sciences at Allan Hancock College. “The symposium provided an opportunity for our students to participate in hands-on learning while meeting with their peers and mentors.” 

This year, Cal Poly’s SURP + Symposium was jointly organized by the Cal Poly College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts, Orfalea College of Business and Office of Student Research in collaboration with LSAMP B2B California Central Coast Community College Collaborative. Additional support is provided by the Division of Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education and CSU Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in STEM Program at Cal Poly.

“The SURP + Symposium is a wonderful example of the successes that can happen when students are able to collaborate with each other and with faculty members,” said Cal Poly Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore. “Seeing the research projects and findings on display and hearing the conversations happening around these projects, I am inspired by the students’ commitment to addressing our communities’ and state’s issues in collaborative, innovative ways.”