Magsamen-Conrad receives President’s Award for Collaborative Research and Creative Work

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Dr. Kate Magsamen-Conrad, an assistant professor in the School of Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University, received a President's Award for Collaborative Research and Creative Work at the Faculty Recognition Awards April 14.

The award recognizes innovative research and creative work conducted by faculty members in collaboration with graduate students. The $5,000 award included $2,500 for continued collaborative research activities with BGSU graduate students, and a $2,500 cash award.

Magsamen-Conrad was recognized for her research into Intergroup Communication Intervention. In 2013, she launched a program in collaboration with the Wood County Committee on Aging that allowed students enrolled in small group communications courses to teach classes on how to operate new technology, such as tablets, to area seniors.

In her statement, Magsamen-Conrad explained that her research team investigates how the “ongoing systematic and supportive interactions between younger and older adults reduce negative attitudes between the generations, facilitate the development of positive interpersonal relationships, and build skills important to both generations.”

She went on to state that analysis has shown significant improvement in trust and communication apprehension of older adults toward their younger counterparts as well as significant improvement in the attitudes of the younger generation about diversity, disabilities and civic intentions.

Jeannette Dillon, a graduate student who worked with Magsamen-Conrad, said her time on the project has taught her “analyzing data and writing findings is both an art and a science.

“Perhaps what’s even more important is the knowledge that I have gained from Doc MC that I have yet to realize. I look forward to the time in the future when, as happens with so many students of exceptional teachers, her words come back to me just when I need them most.”

“I firmly believe in learning through doing,” Magsamen-Conrad wrote. “This project has far-reaching implications for both graduate student learning and skills acquisition as well as community outreach.”