Digital Symposium showcases students' creative online projects

By Jalonii Agnew

In the spring of 2023, I participated in Florida State University’s 14th-annual Digital Symposium. The digital work I submitted was a project from my Writing and Editing in Print and Online course. Bridgette Sanders, a doctoral candidate in the English department’s Rhetoric and Composition Program, taught the class, and she graciously nominated my work for the online event.

The symposium aims to celebrate the digital work composed by students and staff across the university. This year, I spoke with Giana Nardelli, who is a master’s student in the Rhetoric and Composition Program. As the coordinator for the 2025 Digital Symposium, which is hosted by the Reading-Writing Center and Digital Studio, Nardelli is in charge of bringing the symposium to life. The open house is scheduled for April 1.

She began her journey with the English department as an undergraduate major in English-Editing, Writing, and Media. She responded via email to a series of questions regarding the process of planning the symposium and her hopes for event’s outcomes.

Is there a specific theme for this year's symposium? What kind of submissions do you look for as the curator?

The theme this year will be “Milestones in Digital Composing.” Since this year is the 16th symposium, we are using the metaphor of a “Sweet 16” birthday to celebrate the great digital work that has come from the English department. For submissions, we are looking for work from undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty, that showcases excellent digital composition.

Historically, the symposiums have featured many ENC1101/ENC2135 e-portfolios, which we love; but this year, I’d like to see digital creations not only from our composition classes but also those in the English concentrations: Creative Writing; Editing, Writing, and Media; Literature, Media, and Culture; and Rhetoric and Composition.

How would you describe your overall experience of putting the event together?

I’ve really enjoyed working with Dr. Kamila Albert, the director of FSU's Reading-Writing Center on finalizing the theme and working on the initial outreach strategies. Now that the spring semester has started, there is a lot more to do.

How does planning the event impact your student schedule?

I have a pretty light schedule thankfully, and a lot of my planning time will be factored into my working hours at the Digital Studio. I'll have a good time keeping up with symposium planning and schoolwork as long as I stay on schedule.

How has curating this event changed your perspective as a student taking on a role that involves direct collaboration with instructors and highlights the work of others?

I am a huge fan of celebrating the “little” things, so I think this has overall encouraged that. There’s so much great work that people do, and we forget about how cool our projects are when we only think of them as “schoolwork.” In terms of direct collaboration with instructors, that’s been exciting because most of the instructors in the English department are my graduate student peers. I think it’ll be fun to talk and work with my colleagues to show off their students’ work.

What would you say is the most rewarding part of curating the symposium?

The most rewarding part will come on the day of the symposium. We want this year’s symposium to be a celebration, and having people stop and take the time to reflect and share about their hard work will be very rewarding.

How do you think this experience may benefit you in your future academic and professional career?

Leading a team has been a great experience. The symposium is not a one-person show, it’s the effort of the entire Digital Studio. I think being able to work with a team and collaborate will help me grow in my skills as a team player, which is beneficial in any area of life.

This year’s symposium is sure to be engaging and successful thanks to the efforts of Nardelli and her team at the Digital Studio. As a student who formerly participated in this event and felt both seen and appreciated for my creative efforts throughout my academic career, I am looking forward to seeing the exemplary projects put on display.

Most importantly, I am eager to see how the endeavors pay off for students once again for the 16th annual symposium.

Jalonii Agnew recently graduated from FSU with her bachelor's degree in English-Editing, Writing, and Media major, with a minor in communication.

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