Wartburg College senior MacKenzie Benson was one of 75 students to present at the Council on Undergraduate Research’s prestigious Posters on the Hill in Washington D.C.
Benson, a senior from Cedar Rapids, presented her findings on the role of gender in civic engagement among students at private colleges to members of Congress, staffers, government officials and others during the 16th annual event, April 22-23, at the Rayburn House Office Building.
Posters on the Hill is intended to help members of Congress understand the importance of undergraduate research.
“I was in awe to be among such amazing people and presentations,” Benson said.
Benson collected data from 66 Wartburg students ranging from volunteering and community problem-solving to political activity and attention to news.
She found students were most likely to be civically engaged — volunteering or doing a service project — but least likely to demonstrate an “active political voice.” Those accessing the news were more likely to be civically engaged, becoming more so during their sophomore year.
“Women,” Benson said, “were significantly more likely to try to understand someone else’s view, use diverse perspectives in class, talk about career plans with faculty and use the radio to obtain their information.
“Men,” she added, “were significantly more likely to ‘buycott’ a product or company.”
However, she found no difference between men and women in overall civic engagement.
“That highlights that college does enable men and women to be on an even field,” she said. “Previous research states that women on whole score higher in civic indicators, but low on political voice indicators where men score higher.”
Benson was Wartburg’s outstanding senior in political science, while also majoring in psychology and business administration.
“MacKenzie is an amazing student,” said Dr. Shaheen Munir, professor of psychology and chair of the social sciences department. “We are very proud of her.”
Wartburg College senior MacKenzie Benson was one of 75 students to present at the Council on Undergraduate Research’s prestigious Posters on the Hill in Washington D.C.
Benson, a senior from Cedar Rapids, presented her findings on the role of gender in civic engagement among students at private colleges to members of Congress, staffers, government officials and others during the 16th annual event, April 22-23, at the Rayburn House Office Building.
Posters on the Hill is intended to help members of Congress understand the importance of undergraduate research. Among 900 applicants from around the nation, Benson was the only Iowa college student selected.
“I was in awe to be among such amazing people and presentations,” Benson said.
Benson collected data from 66 Wartburg students ranging from volunteering and community problem-solving to political activity and attention to news.
She found students were most likely to be civically engaged — volunteering or doing a service project — but least likely to demonstrate an “active political voice.” Those accessing the news were more likely to be civically engaged, becoming more so during their sophomore year.
“Women,” Benson said, “were significantly more likely to try to understand someone else’s view, use diverse perspectives in class, talk about career plans with faculty and use the radio to obtain their information.
“Men,” she added, “were significantly more likely to ‘buycott’ a product or company.”
However, she found no difference between men and women in overall civic engagement.
“That highlights that college does enable men and women to be on an even field,” she said. “Previous research states that women on whole score higher in civic indicators, but low on political voice indicators where men score higher.”
Benson was Wartburg’s outstanding senior in political science, while also majoring in psychology and business administration.
“MacKenzie is an amazing student,” said Dr. Shaheen Munir, professor of psychology and chair of the social sciences department. “We are very proud of her.”