Students and alumni from the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies’ Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) program recently made a strong showing at the annual Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP) conference, held July 16–18 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

The three-day national gathering brought together scholars, administrators, current students and alumni from across North America to explore humanistic inquiry, cross-disciplinary research and the evolving landscape of graduate liberal studies.

Representing Rice University, a contingent of MIS scholars presented original research and creative work spanning literature, history, education and social policy. The highlight of the conference came during the annual awards ceremony, where current MIS student and MIS Program Coordinator for Outreach & Engagement, Paulina Vieitez, was awarded first prize in the national student presentation competition for her paper, "The Ephemeral Flower, the Eternal Poem."

Fostering Cross-Disciplinary Exchange

The AGLSP serves as the professional organization for institutions offering interdisciplinary graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences. Founded in 1975, the association promotes high standards in graduate liberal studies, offers a forum for exchanging intellectual and pedagogical ideas, and advocates for flexible, lifelong graduate education.

This year’s conference theme, “New Beginnings — Knowledge in Motion,” invited participants to consider how graduate liberal and interdisciplinary education can remain inspiring and relevant amid profound change. The conference explored challenges facing higher education today while emphasizing the continued importance of interdisciplinary inquiry, thoughtful dialogue and the ability to connect ideas across fields.

"The AGLSP conference provides an invaluable platform for our students and alumni to step onto a national stage and demonstrate the true depth of interdisciplinary scholarship," said Rebecca Sharp, Executive Director of the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies program at Rice, who also serves as Treasurer on the AGLSP Executive Board. "Seeing our scholars connect diverse disciplines, from literature and history to educational equity and bioethics, reflects the exact spirit of intellectual curiosity that defines our program at Rice."

Broad Spectrum of Rice Scholarship

Throughout the conference presentation sessions, Rice MIS students and alumni highlighted the versatile nature of interdisciplinary research:

• Paulina Vieitez (Current Student): Presented "The Ephemeral Flower, the Eternal Poem," an exploration of poetic resonance, mortality and artistic permanence that captured top honors from the conference judges.
• Roberto Argentina (Alum): Delivered "Exploding a Document: A Departure Point for Deeper Knowledge" within the Artifacts and Archives panel, demonstrating how single archival texts can open broader socio-historical inquiries.
• Matt Adams (Current Student): Contributed "Piety, Plague, and Peculation: An Analysis of Fraud in Renaissance Confraternities," examining religious institutions, public crisis and financial misconduct in Renaissance Europe.
• Lisa R. Wojahn (Alum & Current Ph.D. Student at University of Exeter): Presented "Married and Alone: The Lives and Labour of Women Married to Royal Navy Officers in the Long-Nineteenth Century," detailing maritime sociology and gender history.
• Rafael Serrillos Barboza (Current Student): Highlighted systemic barriers in higher education with his paper, "Uncharted Waters: Navigating Barriers to First-Generation College Access."
• Linda K. Allison (Alum): Explored environmental conservation and human agency in "New Zeala nd – A Microcosm of Humanity's Potential for Environmental Redemption."

National First-Prize Recognition

For Vieitez, winning first prize for her presentation was both a personal milestone and a testament to her journey through the MIS curriculum. A Mexican writer, cultural promoter and communications professional, Vieitez has used her time at Rice to expand into new creative and analytical domains, including writing poetry in English for her ongoing collection, Taxonomy of the Soul.

"Receiving first prize at the AGLSP conference is deeply humbling and tremendously encouraging," said Vieitez. "The MIS program at Rice has given me the freedom to cross traditional academic boundaries, combining creative writing, social justice and biodiversity. Presenting my work alongside such distinguished peers from around the country reinforced how powerful interdisciplinary perspectives can be in making sense of our shared human experience."

About Rice's Master of Interdisciplinary Studies

Housed within the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, Rice’s Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) degree is designed for curious adults seeking a rigorous, flexible graduate experience shaped around their academic, professional and personal goals. Drawing on world-class faculty at Rice University, the program enables working professionals and lifelong learners to build an interdisciplinary course of study across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

Whether pursuing professional growth, further study, community engagement or deeper intellectual exploration, MIS students engage in rigorous inquiry, critical thinking and a culminating capstone project.

To learn more about Rice’s Master of Interdisciplinary Studies degree, visit mis.rice.edu.