Tucker Neilsen began his academic career on Michigan Tech’s campus and hasn’t seen a reason to leave since stepping into the classroom.

Recently, he and Caleb Swain were nominated by the university as representatives of graduate student work for the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools awards.

From a child’s toy to a tool students can use to break down complex topics, Neilsen says Legos have always been a tool for building.

“This thesis in itself didn’t present a one-off solution to handling first-year writing classes,” said Neilsen, a graduate student at Michigan Technological University. “Lego bricks may not be able to help with everything, but they’re certainly helpful in some aspects with working with students. And then that leaves room for other methods to come in and be able to help students navigate these different composition ideas and be able to be effective communicators and writers out there.”

Neilsen’s research can help students visualize how one concept can relate or impact another concept in their curriculum. Neilsen says he’s very honored to have their research nominated for the MAGS Distinguished Thesis Award.

Neilsen adds that like Lego bricks, the thesis could be reworked to fit a variety of classroom settings and could help students, from college to elementary, become more effective communicators.

Neilsen earned his Bachelor of Arts in English in 2022, before earning a Masters in Rhetoric Theory and Culture. Currently Neilsen is enrolled on campus in the Masters program for Industrial Heritage and Archeology. After earning his first master’s degree Neilsen began working at the university as the Thompson Scholarship coordinator. Outside of the classroom, Neilsen says Michgian Tech’s campus has become home with many ways for students to grow social circles.

“Programs such as Graduate Student Government do a lot of really cool socials and separate events that allow students to be able to step away from that academic mindset”, says Neilsen. “Be able to socialize with one another. They have the house behind the library that’s really cozy over there.”

Many students also get out into the community. Neilsen adds that events such as Heikinpaiva in Hancock break up the winters on campus, offering more activity for students to look forward to.

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