In an era where technology is evolving at lightning speed, one Willamette University student is ensuring no generation gets left behind. Connor Everetts BS’26 tackled this issue as part of his research with Assistant Professor of Computer Science Fred Agbo, during which the two developed specialized techniques to teach older adults how to do everything from basic computer use to coding.
Inspired by a course on human-computer interaction, Everetts first approached Agbo about research in the fall of 2023. By the spring and summer of 2024, Agbo and Everetts were working together to develop methods for engaging and increasing understanding among older adults.
“Older adults learn differently from traditional college-aged students, so we developed online digital programming exercises to give them hands-on challenges that give them scenarios to work through,” Everetts says. What began as casual conversations while Everetts catered events for the Institute for Continued Learning at Willamette through his job with Bon Appetit blossomed into a formal research partnership. “It was perfect; we found a diverse crowd of older adults who were enthusiastic to learn.”
The impact of Everetts and Agbo’s research was recognized when Everetts presented at the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges 2024 Northwestern Regional Conference, held at Willamette, where judges awarded his research second place. This recognition was followed by an invitation to present at the highly selective Murdock College Science Research Conference.
“Presenting our research was a helpful way to refine my communication and research skills,” Everetts says. “Each conference let me showcase our work’s relevance. It was empowering to have people in higher education listen to me present.”
For Agbo, the collaboration carried special significance. “Mentoring Connor has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” he shares. “As my first undergraduate mentee in the School of Computing and Information Sciences, Connor’s brilliance, diligence, and passion for computer science education research not only brought our project to life but also fulfilled my goal of meaningful student collaboration in my first year at Willamette University. His growth as a researcher has been remarkable.”
The partnership exemplifies Willamette’s commitment to research that combines academic rigor with community impact. Everetts credits Agbo’s mentorship for transforming him from a curious student into a confident researcher.
“Writing a research paper was a reach for me at first, but Prof. Agbo mentored me every step of the way. He’s not only knowledgeable about this topic, but also taught me sophisticated data analysis techniques,” Everetts says.
As he enters his last year in the program, Everetts plans to build on his research experience to continue working on projects that address society’s needs with his expertise. His experience is a powerful example of how student-faculty collaborative research at Willamette can extend beyond campus to create meaningful change throughout communities and across generations.
