YSU graduate student presents thesis research at national writing conference

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Youngstown State University graduate student Emily Vero recently presented her research from her master’s thesis at the Conference on College Composition and Communication, one of the largest national conferences for scholars and teachers of writing, rhetoric and composition.

Vero, who will graduate in May with a Master of Arts in English, was selected to present her work in a setting that draws thousands of attendees from across the country and around the world.

“This was my first big conference, and it was definitely intimidating,” Vero said. “But it was also incredibly rewarding to be able to share my research and represent the work being done here at YSU.”

Vero’s academic focus is rhetoric and composition, with a specialization in critical discourse analysis. Her thesis examines how bodies are discussed in American public discourse, including conversations surrounding body positivity, anti-obesity rhetoric and media portrayals of physical fitness. For her conference presentation, Vero focused on a chapter of her thesis analyzing online reactions to Southwest Airlines’ customer of size policy, drawing from social media discussions on platforms such as TikTok and Reddit.

“I was really interested in the underlying assumptions people make about bodies and accessibility,” Vero said. “Looking at how people talk about policies like this helps us understand broader cultural attitudes and the arguments embedded in everyday discourse.”

Vero said she was encouraged to submit a proposal for the conference by her thesis advisor, Jay Gordon, associate professor of English and World Languages, despite the conference’s highly competitive selection process.

“They receive thousands of submissions every year, so there was no guarantee,” Vero said. “Getting accepted felt like such an honor, not just for me, but for the mentors who helped me get here.”

Vero credits the YSU English Department’s faculty and graduate culture with preparing her to present her research on a national stage. She noted that small, discussion-based graduate courses — particularly a discourse theory course taught by Gordon — played a major role in shaping her thesis project.

“Our classes really emphasize collaboration and exploration,” she said. “Faculty members don’t just lecture. They help you develop your ideas and push you to pursue research you’re genuinely passionate about.”

In addition to her coursework, Vero has gained teaching experience through a graduate assistantship, teaching first-year writing courses at YSU. She said working closely with undergraduate students strengthened her confidence as both a scholar and an educator.

As she completes her extensive thesis project, Vero is exploring opportunities to continue teaching at the K-12 or community college level. She said the experience of completing a master’s thesis and presenting at a national conference has helped clarify her professional goals.

“This project showed me that I can do long-term, sustained research and find fulfillment in it,” Vero said. “It gave me the reassurance I needed to pursue a career in academia and teaching.”

Vero encourages other graduate students to take advantage of opportunities to share their work beyond the classroom.

“Apply, even if you don’t think you’ll get accepted,” she said. “See what happens. Even at a smaller university, the opportunities are out there. You just have to go for them.”