Each spring, Winona State University comes alive with curiosity and creativity during its annual Research & Creative Achievement Day.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 23 in Kryzsko Commons, the university will host its annual celebration that brings together students, scholars, and faculty to highlight the innovative work happening across campus. The day offers the community a chance to explore diverse disciplines, celebrate academic accomplishments, and engage directly with presenters about their research and discoveries.
Research & Creative Achievement Day is more than a showcase; it’s a reflection of Winona State’s commitment to providing students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities. Attendees encounter projects ranging from scientific experiments to marketing studies, senior capstones, creative works, and community‑based research. The event embodies the intellectual energy of campus and the collaborative spirit that drives innovation.
Madelynn Joi Punzal, a marketing major in the Class of 2028, is assisting on a research project led by Professor Phileshia Dombroski that examines how Winona County residents form perceptions of six major local festivals.
The study explores how those perceptions relate to attendance, feelings of comfort or sense of fit, and information‑seeking patterns. It also looks at how these dynamics are shaped by media exposure, disability, caregiving responsibilities, and migration history.
“After discovering the topic of the research, I felt excited to be researching more into the different groups and experiences of individuals around the community,” Madelynn said.
The study, she said, was inspired by misinterpretations and assumptions surrounding local festivals — especially for individuals with disabilities.
“Festivals and events are meant to bring groups of people together… but can be challenging for those who have a skewed perception based on how they learn about the festivals or the assumptions that are made about them,” Madelynn explained.
She hopes their research will help the community grow more understanding of the diverse circumstances that shape people’s comfort and engagement in shared spaces.
In many ways, Madelynn’s work perfectly illustrates the broader mission of Research & Creative Achievement Day: encouraging students to investigate real‑world issues, engage thoughtfully with others, and spark conversations that promote awareness and change.
“By contributing and showcasing this project, I think it reflects the care for others and continuous ways of learning fostered by WSU,” she said.
Through projects like Madelynn’s, Winona State students are not just learning — they’re leading conversations that help shape a more inclusive, informed, and connected campus and community.
