On October 19, 2014, Ms. Maya Smith of Winston-Salem State University, presented her 2014 summer research at the Geological Society of America Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Maya took part in the CReSIS Glacial Exploration Project (CReSIS-GEX) as part of her participation in the summer Research Experience for Undergraduates at Pennsylvania State University. Her presentation was titled: "Isotopic Signatures of Rain and Snow in the Juneau Icefield Snowpack."

The CReSIS-GEX project addresses the challenge of broadening the participation of a diverse student population in the geosciences by building upon the authentic partnership between Elizabeth City State University, a Minority Serving Institution, and The Pennsylvania State University. CReSIS-GEX is an attempt to address deficits in minority polar participation and create articulated pathways for undergraduate students to pursue careers in polar science.