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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Source: Bobby Gomez, gomez@k-state.edu
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-6415.
Video available: http://www.k-state.edu/media/audio/podcasts/devscholars.mov
News release prepared by: Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, 785-532-6415, ebarcomb@k-state.edu

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

K-STATE JUNIOR FROM SHAWNEE SAYS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT TEACHES DISCIPLINE, OFFERS EXPOSURE TO THE RIGORS OF THE PROCESS

MANHATTAN -- Looking for a pencil sharpener, a Kansas State University student instead found inspiration for an undergraduate research project that supports his goal of studying educational policy.

Bobby Gomez, junior in elementary education, Shawnee, is working on the research project "We Are the Community: Principles of K-State" as part of a K-State program that supports undergraduate researchers. The Developing Scholars Program offers underrepresented students research projects with faculty mentors. Gomez is mentored by Kay Ann Taylor, assistant professor of secondary education.

Gomez found out about K-State's Principles of Community when he was looking for a pencil sharpener in a classroom. Posted on the wall by the classroom door, the document spells out the university's belief in the dignity and value of all people, its value for diversity and K-State's obligation to positively engage with the outside community.

Because he was intrigued by the Principles of Community, Gomez decided that for his research project with the Developing Scholars Program he would examine ways in which students, faculty and staff could become more engaged with the document.

The research project is teaching Gomez about the rigors of research, an experience that some students may not have unless they go on to graduate school.

"You have to be very dedicated when you're doing research as an undergraduate," Gomez said. "You have to prioritize your time. It is hard, but if you have the work ethic and the ambition, it is possible.

Researching K-State's Principles of Community fits in with Gomez's goal to ultimately earn master's and doctoral degrees in educational policy. First, he'd like to spend a few years teaching elementary school.

Gomez said he isn't particular about which elementary grade he teaches. Although his early field experience was in secondary education, Gomez's interest in working with young children was sparked by his volunteer work with the Wonder Workshop, a nonprofit after-school program in Manhattan.

"I just really enjoyed working with children that age," he said.

Gomez said his other activities have included coaching 7- and 8-year-olds with the Little Apple Soccer Club and serving as a College of Education ambassador, as well as membership in Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity, Kappa Delta Pi education honorary, the Developing Scholars program and the Mortar Board senior honorary society, of which he will serve as president. He also was a finalist for the Commerce Bank Distinguished Service to Multicultural Students award in 2008.

Gomez is a 2005 Shawnee Mission Northwest graduate. He is the son of William and Julie Gomez, Shawnee.