English Department and College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Researcher of the Year Award: Ella Stott

English major Ella Stott has been awarded the English Department and College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Researcher of the Year Award. This prestigious award is presented annually to celebrate exceptional achievement in undergraduate research. Recipients distinguish themselves not only through academic excellence but through sustained, independent inquiry carried out in coursework, student employment, and supported research projects. While a range of scholarly activities may be considered, the award places its greatest emphasis on the depth and impact of research contributions.

Ella has been focused on research since the moment she stepped foot on campus as a first-year student. Having already placed for her memoir in the Utah Original Writing Competition, a statewide competition open to all writers in the state, Ella actively sought opportunities that would take her writing to the next level.

During her time at USU, Ella has worked on two major long-term research projects. The first was a Humanities Research Lab project involving twentieth-century Black travel guides to Utah, supported by an URCO grant under the guidance of Professor Christine Cooper-Rompato. Ella also served as a research assistant for Professor Jennifer Sinor through a research fellowship supported by the Center for Intersectional Gender Studies and Research.

This long-term, project-based work was accompanied by a growing series of fellowships and opportunities that supported Ella’s research and creative development. Ella was awarded a ChaSS Summer Research Fellowship and a Peak Summer Research Fellowship in addition to the URCO grant. Two of these fellowships supported the completion of a book-length memoir. She was also accepted to study at the American University of Paris Summer Creative Writing Institute based on the strength of her writing.

Beyond institutional recognition of her work, Ella was chosen as an editor for the National Collegiate Honors Council Journal for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, awarded best nonfiction essay for her piece published in the Sigma Tau Delta journal, and presented at Sigma Tau Delta’s national conference. 

In addition to her many accolades, Ella has also maintained a 4.0 throughout her undergraduate career, is currently completing her Honors Capstone project, and, as a writer for the The Utah Statesman, brings the same rigor and curiosity to journalistic research that she does to her academic work. 

English Department Head Brian McCuskey says, “Ella is a remarkable human being. She is wise beyond her years, dedicated, and fierce. She is the embodiment of what we hope from all of our students — to be willing to take the risk, to tell the story, to do the work, and to shine a light on the possibilities for the future.”

Ella is quick to credit the mentors who have supported her work. She thanks Christine for “teaching me valuable skills in research and kindness that I will carry with me beyond graduation.” She also singles out Jennifer “for personally mentoring me throughout the process of studying memoir and writing my own.” Ella continues, “Studying with her has been nothing short of incredible, and I truly would not be where I am without Jennifer and her patience, care, and wisdom.”

Reflecting on the award, Ella says, “Being awarded one of the Undergraduate Researcher of the Year awards for the college is an honor. To know that both academic and creative forms of research are valued and seen as important is incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to continue to explore research and its different expressions. Research has been such an influential part of my academic journey here, and I have been amazed at the opportunities it has presented me.”