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The LaChance Library is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Best of College Research contest, an annual celebration of outstanding student scholarship and academic writing. Each year, this competition highlights the incredible research being done by students across campus. This year’s winners impressed the judges with their originality, insight, and depth of analysis.
First Place: Shaun Tubert
Essay: “From Struggle to Strength: How FGCS Succeed in Higher Education”
 Prize: $150
Course: College Writing I with Jessica Kuskey
Shaun Tubert earned first place for his compelling exploration of the resilience and success strategies of first-generation college students (FGCS). His essay stood out for its thoughtful analysis and well-supported arguments, shedding light on an often underrepresented student population. Tubert’s work highlights both personal narratives and systemic perspectives, offering a nuanced view of the challenges FGCS face and the strengths they develop in overcoming them.
Second Place: Deborah Freitas
Essay: “Relationships: A Crucial Role in Surpassing Challenges Faced by College Students”
 Prize: $100
Course: College Writing I with Jessica Kuskey
Deborah Freitas captured second place with an insightful examination of how relationships, whether with peers, mentors, or family play a critical role in helping students navigate the emotional and academic hurdles of college life. Freitas’s work stood out for its clarity and emotional resonance, offering a thoughtful take on how human connection fosters resilience.
Third Place: Hillary Durkee
Essay: “Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care”
 Prize: $50
Course: College Writing I with Eli Carlsen
Hillary Durkee’s third-place essay addressed the urgent topic of mental health, advocating for its integration into primary healthcare systems. Her paper combined research-driven arguments with a strong call to action, highlighting how this integration could lead to more holistic, accessible care. Durkee’s work is both timely and vital in the context of ongoing conversations about mental health awareness.
Congratulations to the winners
Now in its latest iteration, the Best of College Research contest continues to support the academic achievements of student writers. Sponsored by the LaChance Library, the competition underscores the library’s mission to foster research excellence and student engagement with critical issues.
The LaChance Library congratulates this year’s winners and commends all participants for their hard work and intellectual curiosity. Each submission demonstrated the power of student research to ask important questions and propose meaningful solutions. As the contest continues in future years, the library encourages even more students to share their work and take part in this celebration of academic excellence.