Four University of North Georgia (UNG) students presented their research at the Conference on the Americas, held Feb. 21-22 at the University of Georgia (UGA).

Christopher Jones received an honorable mention award for his presentation on his paper "Government Responses to Gang Violence in El Salvador, Mexico, and Ecuador." Jones, a sophomore from Marietta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science, said the more he researched his topic, the more interesting it became. He appreciated the chance to interact with others on the topic at the conference.

Dr. Cristian Harris, professor of Political Science and International Affairs, mentored Jones on his presentation.

"He's a phenomenal professor. He makes everything super interesting," Jones said. "He gave me room to grow. I wasn't nervous about presenting at the conference because of how comfortable Dr. Harris made me feel."

Other UNG students presenting at the conference were:

• Thomas J. Hageli, "A Comparison of the Party Systems in Uruguay and Peru and Their Effects."
• Susana Olivo Sandoval, "La peor adicción del dolor" (based on a short story by Uruguayan author Horacio Quiroga).
• Jorge Romero, "Strategic Analysis on Mexico's War Against the Cartel."

Olivo Sandoval, who has presented at other conferences previously, is a fall 2024 graduate with degrees in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature and East Asian studies with a concentration in Japanese. Dr. Alvaro Torres-Calderon, associate department head of Modern Languages and associate professor of Spanish, is her mentor. The Gainesville, Georgia, resident said these experiences have been transformational.

"It has made me a better speaker. I explain my topic, answer questions and make my presentation in the clearest way possible," Olivo Sandoval said. "My professors always gave me a lot of courage to do things like this and to try for other opportunities."

Romero, a senior who is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, and has lived in Dahlonega, Georgia, for 10 years, is pursuing a degree in history. He is the head teaching assistant for Spanish in the Language Lab at UNG's Dahlonega Campus and serves as an alumni student host for the Alumni Association. Aside from UNG, he is also serving as an intern at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Tamara Spike, department head of History, Anthropology & Philosophy, is Romero's primary mentor, with Torres-Calderon and history faculty members Dr. Jon Beall and Dr. Victoria Hightower also mentoring him.

The senior said the McNair Scholars Program "has provided me with all the tools I need to do research." The Conference on the Americas was another chance to share his work.

"It's very easy to say something is wrong," Romero said. "My research seeks to go a step further by helping others and offering solutions for how Mexico can try new things in seeking to combat the drug trade."

Harris also mentored Hageli on his presentation. The faculty member was grateful for his students to be able to hear from students at other schools about the high quality of their work.

"When they hear such positive feedback from other students, it builds up their confidence," Harris said. "It strengthens their resolve to continue studying and graduate."

UNG will host the 2026 Conference on the Americas at its Dahlonega Campus.