Student & Faculty Summer Scholarship Campaign - Day 1
Aug 31, 2026
Each summer, while students step away from campus, many Florida Southern College faculty and students collaborate to further research that extends well beyond the classroom.
Through the Faculty-Student Collaborative Research program, faculty pursue scholarly and creative projects while working alongside and mentoring students through immersive research experiences. The results of this research extend learning far beyond the classroom, fostering innovation, encouraging discovery and strengthening the College’s commitment to academic excellence overall.
“Summer is always an invaluable season for Faculty-Student Collaborative Research at Florida Southern,” said Dr. Tracey Tedder, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “Whether in laboratories, community settings, or the field, these collaborations allow students to participate in the process of discovery while faculty advance their scholarly and creative works. It is a season of innovation, creativity and intellectual exploration that ultimately enriches the entire campus community.”
Dr. Macrander and Brendon Turner:
"Does size matter? Determining optimal microfragmentation sizes in the resilient coral Porites astreoides in a collaborative effort towards Florida reef recovery"
Funded by Hansen Science Scholars Fund and the Office of the Provost.
Florida’s coral reefs face increasing threats from climate change, disease and environmental stress. Dr. Jason Macrander, Associate Professor of Marine Biology, is investigating how coral fragment size influences the growth, survival and health of the stress-tolerant mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) to improve reef restoration efforts.
“The primary goal of this project is to identify propagation strategies that maximize the growth and survivorship of Porites astreoides and assess its potential as a resilient restoration species for the Florida Reef Tract,” Dr. Macrander said.
Working with student researcher Brendon Turner, Dr. Macrander is using coral aquaculture and microfragmentation techniques to evaluate the species’ potential as a resilient restoration coral. Although an unexpected equipment setback extended the project timeline, the team continues monitoring coral recovery and collecting data that will strengthen future restoration strategies throughout the fall semester.
Dr. Jennifer Dapko with Allie Draper and Jackson Neal:
"The Authenticity Gap: Assessing Consumer Perceptions and Marketing Strategies for AI-Generated Social Media Content”
Funded by Reuschling Scholars Endowment and the Office of the Provost.
As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly common tool in marketing, Dr. Jennifer Dapko, Associate Professor of Marketing, is examining how consumers perceive AI-generated social media content and what it means for brand authenticity. Her research explores the balance between AI’s ability to streamline content creation and consumers’ desire for genuine, trustworthy communication.
“As Artificial Intelligence transitions from an efficiency tool to a primary creative engine, the landscape of social media marketing is undergoing a fundamental shift,” Dr. Dapko said. “This research investigates the dual nature of AI integration: its application as a creative tool by marketers, and the subsequent perception of these digital assets by consumers.”
Working alongside students Allie Draper and Jackson Neal, Dr. Dapko has conducted more than 50 qualitative interviews with consumers and business professionals. Participants discussed topics ranging from AI-generated logos and disclosure practices to the qualities that make social media content feel authentic. As the project concludes this summer, students are compiling interview data and preparing findings that will be presented during Florida Southern’s Fiat Lux academic showcase this fall.
Through the Faculty-Student Collaborative Research program, faculty pursue scholarly and creative projects while working alongside and mentoring students through immersive research experiences. The results of this research extend learning far beyond the classroom, fostering innovation, encouraging discovery and strengthening the College’s commitment to academic excellence overall.
“Summer is always an invaluable season for Faculty-Student Collaborative Research at Florida Southern,” said Dr. Tracey Tedder, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “Whether in laboratories, community settings, or the field, these collaborations allow students to participate in the process of discovery while faculty advance their scholarly and creative works. It is a season of innovation, creativity and intellectual exploration that ultimately enriches the entire campus community.”
Dr. Macrander and Brendon Turner:
"Does size matter? Determining optimal microfragmentation sizes in the resilient coral Porites astreoides in a collaborative effort towards Florida reef recovery"
Funded by Hansen Science Scholars Fund and the Office of the Provost.
Florida’s coral reefs face increasing threats from climate change, disease and environmental stress. Dr. Jason Macrander, Associate Professor of Marine Biology, is investigating how coral fragment size influences the growth, survival and health of the stress-tolerant mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) to improve reef restoration efforts.
“The primary goal of this project is to identify propagation strategies that maximize the growth and survivorship of Porites astreoides and assess its potential as a resilient restoration species for the Florida Reef Tract,” Dr. Macrander said.
Working with student researcher Brendon Turner, Dr. Macrander is using coral aquaculture and microfragmentation techniques to evaluate the species’ potential as a resilient restoration coral. Although an unexpected equipment setback extended the project timeline, the team continues monitoring coral recovery and collecting data that will strengthen future restoration strategies throughout the fall semester.
Dr. Jennifer Dapko with Allie Draper and Jackson Neal:
"The Authenticity Gap: Assessing Consumer Perceptions and Marketing Strategies for AI-Generated Social Media Content”
Funded by Reuschling Scholars Endowment and the Office of the Provost.
As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly common tool in marketing, Dr. Jennifer Dapko, Associate Professor of Marketing, is examining how consumers perceive AI-generated social media content and what it means for brand authenticity. Her research explores the balance between AI’s ability to streamline content creation and consumers’ desire for genuine, trustworthy communication.
“As Artificial Intelligence transitions from an efficiency tool to a primary creative engine, the landscape of social media marketing is undergoing a fundamental shift,” Dr. Dapko said. “This research investigates the dual nature of AI integration: its application as a creative tool by marketers, and the subsequent perception of these digital assets by consumers.”
Working alongside students Allie Draper and Jackson Neal, Dr. Dapko has conducted more than 50 qualitative interviews with consumers and business professionals. Participants discussed topics ranging from AI-generated logos and disclosure practices to the qualities that make social media content feel authentic. As the project concludes this summer, students are compiling interview data and preparing findings that will be presented during Florida Southern’s Fiat Lux academic showcase this fall.