HACU 40th Annual Conference
40 Years of Championing Higher Education Success: One Graduate at a Time
Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2026 • Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center • Chula Vista, California
Call for Entries
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HACU Student Research Poster Competition
RESEARCH • INNOVATION • CREATIVITY • IMPACT
The Student Research Poster Competition is free and open to all students. Conference attendance is not required to participate.
The HACU Student Research Poster Competition showcases original student research from higher education institutions and provides students with the opportunity to present their scholarly work while competing for awards recognizing excellence in research and presentation.
Poster presentations will be evaluated by a panel of qualified judges.
The ultimate goals of the contest are to enrich and celebrate students’ groundbreaking research and contribute to the advancement of student research across the HACU network and the broader higher education community.
This HACU Poster competition is held in collaboration with the CSUN (California State University, Northridge) Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub.
Research Focus Areas
STEM
CSUN Culture is Currency National Challenge
Health Sciences
Business
Education
Social Sciences
Visual Arts
Creative Media
- Awards & Recognition
Outstanding posters will be recognized for excellence in research, innovation, and presentation. Winners will be recognized during the HACU 40th Annual Conference.
Prizes:
- 1st Place: Apogee Electronics JamX
- 2nd Place: Beats Headphones
- 3rd Place: Southwest Voucher
All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation.
- Date & Information
Competition Date:
Monday, November 2
Location: Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, Chula Vista, CA
Event Time: Closing Ceremony
Results Announcement: Closing Ceremony
Eligibility
- Students from any institution are eligible to participate.
- The research presented must be original work from the presenting student.
- The student must be the primary researcher for their particular poster topic.
- If relevant, the student must have permission from their project/research advisor(s) to publicly share their results.
Registration
Application Deadline: October 10, 2026
- Submission Requirements
Submit an abstract of 250 words summarizing the introduction, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of your research.
Abstracts should describe original research and include preliminary findings, when applicable.
- Judging Criteria
Posters will be evaluated by a panel of judges using a standardized scoring rubric based on the following criteria:
- Poster content (introduction, objectives, impact, significance)
- Poster design (appearance, visuals, grammar, spelling)
- Poster presentation (mastery of content, communication skills)
Poster Development Considerations
Questions to consider when designing your poster content
- Design your poster for a broad audience by using clear, accessible language and minimizing technical jargon.
- Provide sufficient background and context so that individuals outside your discipline can understand your research question, methods, findings, and their significance.
- Highlight the broader impact of your research by explaining its implications for your field and its relevance to the wider community.
- Ensure your key message and conclusions are easy to identify and understand, even for viewers who are not specialists in your area of study.
Before Printing
- Proofread headers, your name, co-author names, and the main title.
- Ensure any symbols, tables, and mathematical equations are correctly displayed.
- Ensure images are not blurry and do not obstruct any text.
- Ensure your name and the names of any co-authors are listed.
- Verify that all references and acknowledgments are included, if applicable.
- Ensure your file is saved as a PowerPoint (.pptx) or PDF (.pdf) file.
Set-Up and Removal Guidelines
- Students are responsible for printing, transporting, and displaying their posters at the competition.
- Posters must be removed immediately following the conclusion of the competition.
Presentation Expectations
- Be prepared to provide a brief overview of your research (approximately 3 minutes).
- Your presentation should summarize the research question, methodology, key findings, and significance of your work.
- Judges may ask follow-up questions regarding your research methods, findings, or conclusions.
Poster Guidelines
- Posters must be 48 inches × 36 inches (4 ft × 3 ft) in landscape orientation.
- Each poster must include: title, author(s), institution, introduction, objectives, methods, results, conclusions, and references (if applicable).
- Create a form to allow the audience to share feedback on your presentation (make sure it is open to all). Add a QR code linking to this form on the poster.
- Save your poster as either a Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) or PDF (.pdf) file.
Poster Design Guidelines
- Use clear, readable fonts. Sans-serif fonts (such as Arial or Calibri) are recommended for titles and headings.
- Ensure the poster title is readable from approximately 10–15 feet away.
- Balance text and visuals by incorporating charts, graphs, photographs, and figures whenever appropriate. Avoid large blocks of text.
- Use a simple color palette with high contrast to maximize readability and accessibility.
- Organize content logically so viewers can easily follow your research from introduction to conclusion.
Setting the Correct Poster Size in Microsoft PowerPoint
- Open a new file in Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Select Design from the toolbar at the top of the screen.
- Select Slide Size, then Custom Slide Size from the drop-down menu.
- Set the slide width to 48 inches and the height to 36 inches, then select OK to begin designing your poster.
Poster Printing Guidelines
- Students are responsible for any fees or payments incurred for poster printing.
- Students can check with their institution’s library for wide-format printing for academic purposes, as well as research poster design consultations.
- FedEx Office Print & Ship Center — FedEx Office Custom Posters: https://www.office.fedex.com/default/posters
- Staples — Custom Poster Printing: https://www.staples.com/services/printing/custom-posters/
FAQs
What should I wear for the competition?
Professional business attire.
Where can I print my poster?
Check with your institution’s library for wide-format academic printing and design consultations, or book custom poster printing through FedEx Office Print & Ship Center or Staples (links above). Students are responsible for printing fees.
What should I expect on the day of the competition?
Final details will be sent to all students the week of the competition. Please check your email for additional information.
When will the winners be announced?
Live results will be announced during the Closing Ceremony. All participants are highly encouraged to attend the Closing Ceremony in order to receive an award in person.
Get in Touch
Contact Information
Please include your name, institution and campus as part of your communication.
For questions or additional information, please contact:
- Oralia De los Reyes, Ph.D.
- Assistant Vice President of Programs and Services
- 210-576-3244
- oralia.delosreyes@hacu.net
