Center for Student Research and Creative Discovery

Holly Salome Gibson — Reflections: A Dancer's Self Image in Modern America

Focusing her research on dancers’ self-images, Holly Salome Gibson presented “Reflections: A Dancer’s Self-Image in Modern America” at the 2023 Undergraduate Research Conference. Her work focuses on the lingering effects that George Balanchine, one of the most influential choreographers in American ballet, had on modern dancer self-image. His monopoly on the American Ballet Theatre pushed the creation of the “Balanchine body” characterized by pale, slender and linear forms, which he ordained by encouraging drug abuse and anorexic behaviors. Gibson surveyed a variety of dancers and found that 95% of respondents saw themselves negatively and only 60% were familiar with Balanchine’s role in the ideal body formation. Gibson then used respondent participation to create a seven-minute video to spread awareness of Balanchine’s influence on dancers’ body expectations.

Wenjing Li awarded 2023 Faculty Mentor of the Year

Dr. Wenjing Li received the Faculty Mentor of the Year Award at the 2023 Undergraduate Research Conference. An assistant professor of marketing, Li sponsored marketing seniors Samantha Hall and Tanzi Stafford, who received the Top Scholar Award for the Rusche College of Business for their paper at the conference.

“I love doing research and mentoring students, and the URC provides an opportunity to combine those passions,” Li said. “I see how much potential our undergraduate students have for conducting research and how hard they work. They are usually the first adopters of new marketing trends, and they’re very sharp in generating new ideas for research projects. Working with them on research gives me a new perspective and keeps me updated on those trends.”