BHSU Geek Speak Lecture to feature research by first international Honors student

Karin Humar, business administration-marketing major from Slovenia in south-central Europe, will present the final Geek Speak Lecture of 2016 featuring her capstone project for the University Honors Program, "BHSU Edge: Creating the Professional Student Development Program."

When Karin Humar enrolled in the University Honors Program at Black Hills State University she was ready to embark on an academic journey that would challenge and inspire. Her work has led to the creation of a professional development program that will inspire future students to maximize their educational careers too.

Humar, a business administration-marketing major from Slovenia in south-central Europe, will present the results of her Honors academic study and research during the final Geek Speak Lecture of the fall 2016 semester Thursday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. in Jonas Hall 110. The presentation is free and open to the public.

As the first international student in the BHSU Honors Program, Humar says she wanted her final capstone project to be connected to BHSU.

"I've always been a great supporter of extracurricular activities and growth outside of the classroom," says Humar. "When I saw how involved students are at BHSU, I wanted to find a way where I could incorporate my international experience with soft skills and tie it into a program that would track students' involvement and professional development."

The result of Humar's research is "BHSU Edge," a professional student development program that would allow students to track their extracurricular activities and count them towards completion of their academic program.

"Soft skills" such as communication, leadership, problem solving, and adaptability are in demand by employers, according to LinkedIn economist Guy Berger, Ph.D.

Humar says her program supports learning outside the classroom and helps students prepare for life after graduation.

"For the purpose of the research I interviewed community employers, BHSU alumni, developers of similar programs and students at other universities that completed such programs to find out what soft skills are sought after in prospective BHSU graduates," says Humar.

As an internationally-certified soft skills trainer, Humar says the program she developed leads students through professional development experiences challenging them to stretch their education to provide continuity among curriculum, community, campus life and careers.

"This program will foster personal development on a professional level, combining the classroom's theoretical expertise with real-world vocational knowledge," says Humar.

Humar will graduate Dec. 10 as an International University Scholar as a result of her successful completion of the University Honors Program along with her significant international experiences while at BHSU. Humar and other BHSU students recently returned from an International Service Learning visit to Botswana, Africa. Humar has received numerous awards during her educational experience at BHSU including receiving the prestigious Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship by Zonta International.

The Geek Speak lecture series, sponsored by the BHSU University Honors program, features academic discussion and topics not normally discussed in the traditional classroom. The goal of the weekly lectures is to expose students to diversity within the disciplines.

For more information about the BHSU Honors Program visit BHSU.edu/Honors or contact Dr. Courtney Huse Wika, director of the University Honors Program and assistant professor of English, at 605-642-6918 or email Courtney.HuseWika@BHSU.edu.