From left, Ryan Rust, Riley Whiskeyman, Serena Aumick, Jocelyn McCray, Madilyn House-Groff, and Kelly Heider
Four IUP students took their interdisciplinary research beyond campus on Friday, October 2, during a professional development trip to Pittsburgh organized by Kelly Heider, associate vice provost for Libraries and Research Support Services and coordinator of the Fusion Fellowship program.
The 2026 Fusion Fellows visited WQED and the Senator John Heinz History Center to gain professional insights, receive project-specific mentorship, and explore new ways to share their research with broader audiences.
Telling the Story of Honduras
Serena Aumick and Riley Whiskeyman toured WQED’s facilities and met with Executive Producer Ryan Rust, who offered feedback and guidance on producing their documentary about the people, places, and conservation efforts shaping the future of Honduras.
Aumick described the visit as an invaluable opportunity to learn from an award-winning documentary producer. “Touring WQED and speaking to Ryan Rust was a wonderful experience. Ryan was incredibly knowledgeable in the process of creating a documentary and was eager to provide us with advice. Moving forward, we are grateful to have him as an expert willing to aid us in the post-production process.”
Uncovering Brown’s Farm
From left, Jocelyn McCray, Madilyn House-Groff, Serena Aumick, and Riley Whiskeyman
Madilyn House-Groff and Jocelyn McCray enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the Heinz History Center and met with Sierra Green, outreach archivist at the Detre Library & Archives, and Alonna Carter, director of the African American Program. Their conversations explored oral history, archival research, and community engagement in connection with Brown’s Farm, an early racially integrated settlement of Black, White, and Indigenous peoples in the Laurel Highlands.
“Visiting the ‘From Slavery to Freedom’ exhibit at the Heinz History Center was a powerful experience,” House-Groff said. “Our discussions about Black history in western Pennsylvania and oral history have enriched our perspective and will inform the continuation of our project.”
The Pittsburgh experiential learning opportunity reflects the Fusion Fellowship’s commitment to connecting ideas, disciplines, and communities while helping students develop their research, creative, and professional skills.
Through hands-on learning and meaningful connections with professionals, IUP’s Fusion Fellows are bringing their projects to life—and discovering new ways to tell stories that matter.