Carthage student presents research in Washington, D.C.

Rebecca Woiteshek, '09, traveled to Washington, D.C., in May to present her senior thesis to members of Congress.

Rebecca Woiteshek, a geography and earth science student who just graduated from Carthage in May, was selected to present a summary of her senior thesis to members of Congress at the prestigious Posters on the Hill event in Washington, D.C.

Posters on the Hill is an annual event sponsored by the Council of Undergraduate Research intended to help lawmakers understand the importance of undergraduate research programs. Students from across the country are invited to present their research to members of Congress, their staffs, and representatives from federal funding agencies.

More than 400 students apply each year; approximately 60 students are selected to participate. This year's event was held May 5 in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Ms. Woiteshek met with Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to discuss support and funding for undergraduate research projects. Pictured are Rep. Ryan, Ms. Woiteshek and Ms. Woiteshek's advisor, geography and earth science professor Julio Rivera.

Prof. Julio Rivera and Ms. Woiteshek stand by the poster display of Ms. Woiteshek's research.

Ms. Woiteshek, of Racine, Wis., presented her senior thesis, "Dire Straits: Using Geographic Information Science (GIS) to Better Identify and Serve the Urban Poor." Her research used GIS to analyze and identify the urban poor in the Watts neighborhood of urban Los Angeles. Specifically, her research focused on ethnic changes within Watts as it changed from a predominantly African-American neighborhood to a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. She detailed the needs of the Spanish-speaking community as it is isolated in an English-speaking culture.

Ms. Woiteshek's academic advisor, Prof. Julio Rivera, accompanied her in Washington.

"Her research was to help a nonprofit in Los Angeles better understand the demographics of its neighborhood," Prof. Rivera said. "She spent several summers working out there. She used very sophisticated tools to help them better understand their neighborhood, taking apart census data and analyzing it in a different way."

Based on her research, Ms. Woiteshek was able to recommend that the organization increase its Hispanic outreach and Spanish-speaking language programs, Prof. Rivera said. "I think that's what made the project stand out."

While in Washington, students are asked to visit the offices of their Congressional representatives and senators to ask for continued support and funding of undergraduate research programs. Ms. Woiteshek met with Sen. Russ Feingold and Rep. Paul Ryan.