Liberal Studies Showcase Highlights Student Creativity and Career Aspirations

Liberal Studies Showcase Highlights Student Creativity and Career Aspirations

December 12, 2024

By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences

Students in the Individualized Major Program demonstrated the breadth and depth of their academic and career pursuits during a Liberal Studies Showcase event held Dec. 4, covering topics including American Sign Language and supporting the DeafBlind community, Japanese language and culture, philosophy, wildlife in Cherokee Park, and more.

Program director and Professor of Philosophy Andreas Elpidorou welcomed the students, celebrating the creativity, interdisciplinary learning, and career aspirations of each presenter. In addition to building their own degrees, the individualized major gives students the tools to succeed in a competitive job market and prepares them for any professional and academic graduate program. Individualized majors combine three areas of study and complete a few different requirements before entering the program, one of which is submitting a written proposal about their proposed degree program for approval by Elpidorou.

The following students presented on Dec. 4 at the Schumaker Research Building:

Sam Greer: Exploring Gender Identity Through Fashion

Sam Greer, who works in the Theatre Arts costume shop, presented her research on gender expression through clothing. They traced the evolution of gendered fashion from before the 14th century to current day, analyzing how today’s unisex clothing often defaults to men’s styles. As a designer, Greer hopes to be a force for change through creativity and exploring ways to visually break down the fashion binary. Greer concluded with a video that presented their own compilation of androgynous looks and fashions that they modeled personally, which transcend those traditional binaries. Greer is headed to Milan in the near future to continue exploring fashion’s transformative potential.

Riley Hamm: Designing Period-Specific Looks for the Stage

Riley Hamm shared her hands-on experience designing costumes for Miss Holmes, the most recent Theatre Arts Department production. From mood boards and design meetings to fittings and backstage support, Hamm brought her designs to life with meticulous attention to detail. As the wardrobe master for the Theatre Arts Department, Hamm demonstrated how her skills merge artistic vision with practical execution, preparing her for a promising future in costume design. 

Dustin Hall: Bridging Cultures Through Language

Dustin Hall, graduating this December, presented his work in East Asian Studies and linguistics. A nearly fluent Japanese speaker, Dustin has explored bilingualism, translation tools, and the nuances of Japanese dialects. His capstone included a translation project and an ethnographic study on code-switching. Dustin’s aspiration is to enhance understanding between English and Japanese speakers, making him a valuable cultural bridge in the global community. 

Karly Jones: Storytelling Through Multimedia Journalism

Karly Jones, a Multimedia Journalism major, has explored topics ranging from film, theater, and media, to celebrating women-owned businesses in downtown Louisville. Her op-ed in the Louisville Courier-Journal on surviving a school shooting prior to coming to UofL, published last year, showcased her ability to blend personal experiences with timely issues. Her multimedia projects, including a video feature for Cardinal Guide, highlight her love of storytelling. Although she’s considering law school, Karly’s passion for writing about media and more shines through her work as she considers possible career paths. 

Jana Leberecht: Exploring Cherokee Park

Aspiring interpretive ranger Jana Leberecht, also graduating this December, enthusiastically showcased her environmental research on Cherokee Park. Her project examined the park’s flora and fauna, from sugar maples to the fascinating miracle of the freeze-thaw cycles that gray tree frogs utilize within their own bodies. Using both images and sound in her presentation, Leberecht’s love for Louisville’s Olmsted parks and her desire to lead guided hikes reflect her deep commitment to environmental education and conservation. 

Jayna Walker: Advocating for the DeafBlind Community

Jayna Walker, an ASL and Health Sciences major, is already making strides in her career. Graduating this December, she has accepted a position with Helen Keller Services as a DeafBlind Employment Specialist. Jayna highlighted the unique tools and communication methods used by the DeafBlind community, including tactile ASL among many others. As someone who is hard of hearing herself, Jayna’s advocacy stems from personal experience and a drive to create inclusive environments. 

Olivia Moody: Creativity and ASL Communication

Olivia Moody, also graduating this December, shared how becoming a mother last year influenced her journey in ASL, communication, and society. Her projects include a signed podcast and an analysis of Marvel’s deaf Native American and Latina superhero, Echo. Moody's work blends creativity and advocacy, offering new perspectives on accessibility and representation in media. 

Elijah Peel: Philosophy Meets Global Perspectives

Philosophy and Modern Languages major Elijah Peel presented a diverse portfolio of philosophical and linguistic studies. A Marine Corps veteran fluent in the Russian language, Elijah explored topics from ethics to medical autonomy, drawing on global experiences in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. His capstone reflected on how nontraditional philosophies and media shape cultural understanding, preparing him for a future rich in critical inquiry. 

Laura Hanna: Addressing Health Disparities Through Policy

Laura Hanna’s project, “Assessing Non-Communicable Diseases Disparities in Jordan,” investigated the cultural norms behind tobacco use and their subsequent health impacts in Jordan. A Fulbright scholar with concentrations in Arabic, political science, and epidemiology, Hanna aims to combine public health and dentistry with policy-making in her future career. Her fieldwork in Jordan underscores her commitment to creating culturally relevant health solutions. 

Grace Meredith: Teaching Across Cultures

December graduate Grace Meredith created a Language and Literature major with a Japanese concentration to prepare for the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program application process, which she submitted for consideration. Her capstone included a study abroad experience and leadership in the Japanese Studies program through student organizations. Meredith aspires to teach English in Japan, fostering cultural exchange and paving the way for a career in international education. She will hear back about her JET application this January 2025.

Interested in the Individualized Major Program?