HUMANITIES SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT | Aspen Bergeson
Humanities Scholars is a first-year learning community where students question the meaning of their education, consider humanities in action, and connect their interests to academic research and community engagement. Throughout the year, students develop a sense of self and their place in the world.
Aspen Bergeson
Major: Biology
Research Topic: The History of Foraging and Land Rights in Utah
Q: During the first semester, how did learning about the College of Humanities and its disciplines help you frame your academic interests?
A: The process of pursuing my Humanities Scholars research project has given me a greater awareness of the humanities as a whole, their distinctions, and one common goal - the understanding and research of stories, ideas, and words that aid us in mindfully contextualizing our world.
Q: Can you describe how the program's faculty mentors have contributed or influenced your college experience? How did they support your efforts?
A: The Humanities Scholars faculty have been extremely helpful in teaching us how to plan and follow through with a proper research project. They have done this by encouraging discourse, giving advice, and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Q: In what ways have you seen improvements in your critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills since joining the program?
A: Something I have found refreshing is how the interconnected and inductive freedom of humanities-based research enables you to follow a thread of thought, even if it means changing your topic into something entirely new. Conversing with others has been integral to my newfound understanding of research, with many opportunities to learn throughout the year about the ideas and questions we had about research.
Q: Anything else you would like to share about the Humanities Scholars Program?
A: The Humanities Scholars Program gave me the skills and resources needed to successfully start and continue community-centered research with an emphasis on communication and transparency. As I move forward with my research endeavors, I plan on taking the experiences, wisdom, and connections from the past five months with me every step of the way.
Interested in learning more about our Humanities Scholars program?