The Office of Graduate Studies and Research is proud to support the Grad Slam Competition at Stan State. The Grad Slam is a research communication competition where graduate students will present in three minutes or less to a committee of judges. Top presenters will move on to the system-wide competition. The 2025-26 Stan State Grad Slam Competition details are TBA.
Grad Slam Contact: kwilliams14@csustan.edu
Stan State Finalists: Grad Slam 2025
| Position | Name | Graduate Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Heather Collins | Interdisciplinary Studies |
| 2nd | Ally Watkins | Biological Sciences |
| People's Choice | Kathleen Serah Zemaryalai | Social Work |
Prizes
- The Grad Slam Champion (1st place) - $500
- Runner-up (2nd place) - $400
- The People’s choice (one vote per in-person and live-stream audience members) - $300
Additional Details
Eligibility Requirements:
- Graduate students who are currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program at Stan State.
- Individual presenters
- No group presentations are permitted at this time.
If you have a research project that you would like to talk about with a larger audience, this event is for you. You do not need to have a finished research project. You can present your research project to address the following 3 points:
- Why is it interesting to you?
- Describe the research you are planning to do.
- Why it matters.
Submission Requirements:
- Presentation title
- 200-word or less abstract - please have your Stan State faculty advisor review (person who supports/guides your research)
- ONE PowerPoint slide
- Slide 1: Title page
- Slide 2: Your ONE PowerPoint slide
Students will present their research to a panel of judges in their assigned session. Top presenters from each session will move on to the final round. The winners from the final round will be announced at the end of the event and move on to the system-wide competition.
Presenters for the Grad Slam will be scored in two general areas: “Comprehension & Content” and “Engagement & Communication”.
Area 1: Comprehension & Content
- Presenter effectively communicated the background and significance of the research.
- Presenter effectively communicated the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
- Presentation followed a clear and logical sequence.
- Presenter effectively communicated the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research.
Area 2: Engagement & Communication
- The presentation was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience.
- The slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience's attention
Below is the recording of the 2022 Stan State Grad Slam Competition. Participants are welcome to reference this video while creating their own presentation.
A single, static PowerPoint slide using the 2024 Grad Slam Template.
- The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
- No slide transitions, animations, or electronic media (e.g., sound or video files) are permitted.
- If photos, graphics, graphs, or illustrations are included on the slide not solely created by the presenter, a reference to the original source must be included at the bottom of the slide.
- No props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes. The timer will begin immediately when the presenter starts speaking.
- Competitors who exceed 3 minutes are disqualified.
Updated: March 24, 2025