By: Stephanie Wingerter

SSCA is an association for communication throughout the Southern states.  For the past 25 years this association has been hosting a conference at which college undergraduates can participate and submit research.  I was luckily given the opportunity to submit research that I had been working on for my undergraduate senior capstone.

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http://stephaniewingertercofc.blogspot.com/2015/04/my-time-at-ssca-conference.html

My project was on the nonverbal code of vocalics and whether or not it could be used to communicate even when presented with a foreign language.  I found through surveys that presented participants with three different messages in different languages that they significantly deciphered the purpose of the messages even without sharing the same language which supported my hypothesis.

In Tampa, I got to present my research on a panel of four other undergraduate presentations in front of professors and doctors in the field of communication.  This was an amazing experience and has made me interested in pursuing graduate school after graduation.  I feel that this was an experience that I will never forget and has interested me in furthering my education in the field of interpersonal communication.

My mentor and adviser, Dr. Jen Kopfman, helped me to feel prepared and comfortable while presenting.  She was very supportive, and was the one who convinced me to submit my research as well as originally sparked my interest in graduate school.  It was also great getting a chance to talk with Dean Hale about the work I have been doing while attending College of Charleston, as well as the work I hope to continue after graduation.

Overall, I feel this conference was a great experience that has opened many doors and opportunities for my future in the field of communication.  Many of the members of the association kept referring to the participants in the undergraduate conference as, “the future of our field.” Some even said, “they hope to see us at future conferences as graduate students, and eventually even colleagues.”  These are two things that will stick with me and inspire me to continue my career and education in communication.

Stephanie is a communication major at the College of Charleston. She was awarded the HSS Dean’s Excellence Fund for her trip to Tampa, FL to present her research at the Southern States Communication Association.