UW-Superior graduate to compete in WiSys Quick Pitch State Final
Recent University of Wisconsin-Superior graduate Rachael Tuve will be among nine student researchers from across the UW System to compete in the WiSys Quick Pitch State Final on June 17 at 6 p.m.
“I feel incredibly honored and grateful to have been selected for the Quick Pitch State Final,” said Tuve, who graduated this spring with a psychology major and history minor. “It feels good to be acknowledged for my accomplishments and to have the opportunity to share my work with more people. When I won first place at the UW-Superior Quick Pitch competition, I was so happy and excited to advance to the state level. I think this is a really cool experience that not many people get to have, and it shows how hard I’ve worked to get to where I am today.”
The research-focused, elevator-style pitch competition focuses on the importance of communicating research findings to the public. Students, who were successful in campus-level events, will have three minutes to present their research to a panel of judges. Tuve will be presenting “The Relationship Between Well-Being and Financial Stress in College Students.” She also presented this research project at the Research in the Rotunda event at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. This project was one of six that was chosen to represent UW-Superior.
“My presentation is about the relationship between financial stress and well-being,” said Tuve. “I chose this topic because I have faced many financial hardships in my life and feel that it has impacted who I am as a person and how I think about money. I grew up really poor, I’m a first-generation student, and I have paid my own way through college. I wanted to conduct a study to evaluate the connection between well-being and financial stress for college students since I know it has had an impact on my own college experience.”
Due to the coronavirus crisis, this year’s state final will be held virtually and livestreamed.
“I think it will be interesting and a little challenging to give my presentation virtually,” said Tuve. “At the UW-Superior competition, it was easy for me to give my presentation since I could scan the room and make eye contact with different people. When I’m giving a virtual presentation though, I’ll just be staring at my computer screen and I think it will feel a little different than an in-person presentation. I’m going in with an open mind though and reminding myself that I’m presenting my project for the experience and to share my ideas with others, not necessarily to win this competition.”
Yet for Tuve, a native of Superior, the virtual event will have a benefit.
“I will have more family who can see the presentation,” said Tuve. “I know my mom and my fiancé will be watching the virtual competition. They probably wouldn’t have been able to come with me to Madison, if that was still happening this year.”
“In light of all of the disruptions UW students have experienced this year, we are fortunate that these budding researchers have found the time to participate in this important showcase of their work,” said Arjun Sanga, WiSys president. “Their pitches highlight the excellence at our UW campuses.”
The top presenter will win a $700 prize. A link to the livestream will be available on WiSys’ website at wisys.org/quickpitch.
