Digital Communication students Carleigh Beres and Noelle Santana presented their research which analyzed digital and social media discourse of nonprofit organizations focused on one ofGMercyU’s critical concerns  at the annual GMercyU Research Conference.

Noelle Santana’s research focused on legal issues related to  immigration,  showing how three different immigration-focused nonprofits use social media to communicate their messages and connect with the public. She looked at how each organization communicated its mission, tone and visuals on its online platforms. “I noticed that even when nonprofits have similar goals, the way they communicate can be very different,” Noelle said. “Some are more emotional stories, some are more informational, and that makes a difference in how people respond.”

Carleigh Beres presented research on earth and climate change, exploring how three environmental nonprofits used Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook to raise awareness of climate issues and encourage action. She examined how visuals, videos and messages are used to bring in audiences and spread information on sustainability.

Noelle also shared her thoughts about the conference experience, saying “It was really interesting to see everyone’s different topics and how creative people got with presenting their research. It made the event feel so engaging and meaningful.”

Isabella Zima, an Occupational Therapy major, also shared her thoughts on the conference. “It was really nice seeing all the different topics. It showed how diverse research can be across different fields.”

The event was an opportunity for students from various fields to present research, share ideas and engage in academic discussion in a collaborative environment.

The research was the final project for their Digital Media & Society course.