Stockton University Psychology Conference and Psi Chi Induction
Psi Chi Conference celebrates students' research and academic achievement. It also celebrates the induction of new Psi Chi members. The conference takes place yearly at the end of the spring semester.
2026 Psi Chi Conference
Stockton University’s Psi Chi Conference brought students, faculty, alumni and guests together for a full day of psychology research, academic recognition and professional engagement. Held in the Campus Center Event Room, the conference highlighted the work of psychology students while celebrating scholarship recipients, student researchers, new Psi Chi inductees and distinguished alumni.
Welcome Remarks & Student Achievement Awards
The event opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Hannah Wolfe, Psi Chi Advisor & Assistant Professor of Psychology, followed by the presentation of several student awards. Honorees included recipients of the Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Awards, Hughes Family Fund Awards and the Michael and Maureen Frank Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research in Psychology.
Student Projects for Distinction
A major focus of the conference was student research. Project for Distinction students presented work on a wide range of psychology topics, including emotional responses to social media, body image and disordered eating, perfectionism, social support, mental health, bullying, campus climate, colorism, parenting, exercise, memory and inhibitory control. These presentations gave students the opportunity to share original research, discuss real-world issues and connect classroom learning with active scholarship. The following are the student researchers and their projects:
Karina Del Carmen Gonzalez, Emotional Reactivity and Social Media: How Young and Older Adults Differ in Exposure to Social Media Content
Isabella Bruno, Disorder Eating Behavior Resulting from Societal Reward of Body Image and Disgust Associations
Lorelei Crawford, The Role of Perfectionism and Eating Disorders on on Judgements of Others’ Weight
Cristian Della Fave, Associations Between Social Support and Mental Health in the Context of Secondhand Substance Use Harms
Janiya Redfurn, Bullying and Career Choices
Sifon Ukpe, Comparing the Influence of Familiarity and Same-Race Bias on Attraction
Sydney Roach, Climate Matters: The Effects of Campus Climate
Piero Olazabal, Examining The Effects Of Colorism on Bullying Experiences and the Protective Role of Parenting in Peruvians
Kasey Nguyen, NEAT and Aerobic Exercise on Improving Working Memory and Inhibitory Control
Keynote Address and Alumni Presentation & Awards
The conference also featured a Research Experience in Psychology presentation by Riley Perron and a Distinguished Alumni Award presentation honoring Ashlie Jefferson, M.A. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jessica Leffers, Assistant Professor of Psychology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, who presented on children’s and adults’ downstream consequences of racial categorizations.
Psi Chi Induction & Student Research Posters
The day concluded with the Psi Chi Induction Ceremony and a student research poster session, giving attendees another opportunity to engage with student work and celebrate the accomplishments of Stockton’s psychology community. Psi Chi Honor Society welcomed eighteen new members in 2026. The group photo on the right includes some of them. The inducted students are Alessandra Cruz, Amy DiNatale, Helena Duntley, Joseph Franzello, Riley Finn, Karina Gonzalez, Rachel Graiff, Stephanie Jones, Natalie Latham, Katelyn Longo, Aidan Lytle, Makenna Marrella, Thomas Nagamos, Jeramaine Kate Nuarin, Kylie Rola, Sarah Santiago, Aniyah Wright and Olivia Zmuda.
Conference Highlights
The Psi Chi Conference featured:
- Student scholarship and research award presentations
- Project for Distinction research presentations by psychology students
- A keynote address on racial categorization and psychological development
- A Distinguished Alumni Award presentation
- Psi Chi induction ceremony
- Student research poster session
- Opportunities for students, faculty and alumni to connect around psychology research
The conference reflected Stockton University’s commitment to undergraduate research, student achievement and the study of psychology as a discipline connected to everyday life, human behavior and social issues.
A Celebration of Academic Excellence & Student Achievement
Stockton University’s 2025 Psi Chi Psychology Conference delivered a full day student research, inspiring alumni stories, and powerful conversations about equity in mental health. Below is a recap of the event.
Welcome and Academic Excellence Awards
The conference opened with warm remarks from Dr. Helana Girgis, Associate Professor of Psychology and Psi Chi Advisor, and Autumn Bott, Psi Chi President. They set the tone for a day centered on student success and scholarly impact. The morning immediately spotlighted academic excellence through the Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Awards and Hughes Family Fund Awards, recognizing students whose dedication to psychology research and service stood out among their peers.
Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Awards recipients
Amta Azeem, Katherine Wilkinson, Nicholas Bove, Olivia Bereza
Hughes Family Fund Awards Recipients:
Mikaili Philbert, Katherine Wilkinson, Payton Eckell, Arwyn Russell
Student Project for Distinction Research
Across multiple sessions, students presented Project for Distinction research that tackled meaningful, real‑world psychological questions. Their work demonstrated methodological rigor, creativity, and a clear drive to improve lives through science.
Morning Presentations
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Meaning in Life in Individuals with Dysautonomia — Matthew Yeager explored how chronic health conditions shape purpose and psychological resilience.
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Trust in Sexual Assault Help‑Seeking — Payton Eckell examined a critical barrier affecting survivors’ access to support.
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Food Packaging Color & Health Perception — Autumn Bott revealed how design influences consumer decision‑making.
Afternoon Presentations
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Hyperfocus in ADHD — Katherine Wilkinson provided new insight into attentional patterns often misunderstood in public discourse.
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Workplace Gender Discrimination & Powerlessness — Chelsea Ray highlighted how learning about bias affects emotional and attitudinal responses.
- Learning Disabilities & Academic Resilience — Mikaili Philbert investigated how diverse students navigate learning challenges and maintain academic success.
Alumni Inspiration: Career Pathways in Psychology
The Distinguished Alumni Award honored Dr. Jean Gwathney, whose leadership in special education demonstrates the long‑term impact of Stockton’s psychology program. Her talk, Pathways of a School Psychologist, offered students a clear, encouraging look at how their academic foundation can translate into meaningful careers serving youth and communities.
🤝 Growing the Psi Chi Community
The Psi Chi Induction Ceremony welcomed elevent new members into the national honor society, marking a milestone in their academic journeys. The group photo captured the excitement and pride of students joining a network committed to scholarship, leadership, and service.
🧠Keynote: Advancing Mental Health Equity
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Bianca Villalobos and Dr. Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez, Associate Professors, Department of Psychology, California State University Northridge, Licensed Psychologists and Co-Directors of the SALUD lab. Their talk, Addressing Mental Health Disparities Among Under‑Resourced Communities, underscored the urgent need for culturally responsive care and community‑centered research.
Poster Showcase: A Hub of Ideas & Innovation
The conference concluded with poster presentations, giving students across the department a platform to share emerging research, exchange ideas, and build connections. This session highlighted the depth and diversity of inquiry happening within Stockton’s psychology community.
In Conclusion...
The 2025 Psi Chi Psychology was another incredible event that demonstrated:
- High‑impact student research that addresses real societal needs
- Strong mentorship and alumni engagement that guide students toward meaningful careers
- A thriving honor society chapter committed to academic excellence
- A department focused on equity, innovation, and community impact
It was more than a conference—it was a showcase of the future of psychology, led by students who are ready to shape it.
Stockton University 2024 Research in Psychology Conference
The annual Research in Psychology Conference, hosted by Stockton University's Psychology Program Faculty and the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology was a day dedicated to undergraduate academic excellence, distinguished guest speakers, and ground-breaking student research presentations.
- Date: April 26, 2024
- Location: Board of Trustees Room (Stockton University)
The Program
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Time |
Event / Presentation |
Speakers / Presenters |
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8:30 AM – 9:00 AM |
Light Breakfast |
|
|
9:05 AM – 9:15 AM |
Welcome & Introductory Remarks |
|
|
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM |
Scholarship Awards Ceremony |
See the Awards section below for individual recipients. |
|
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
Project for Distinction Presentations (Session 1) |
|
|
10:30 AM – 10.50 AM |
Psi Chi Induction Ceremony |
Group photo will be taken at the end of the ceremony. |
|
10:50 AM – 11:00 AM |
Morning Break |
|
|
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Project for Distinction Presentations (Session 2) |
|
|
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
Keynote Address |
Dr. Samantha Gregus Slade Interventions for Supporting Chronically Bullied Children |
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1:00 PM – 1:45 PM |
Lunch Break |
|
|
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM |
Michael and Maureen Frank Award |
Awarded For Excellence in Undergraduate Research in Psychology. |
|
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM |
Distinguished Alumni Award & Presentation |
Dr. David Williams Promoting Self-Paced Physical Activity |
|
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
Project for Distinction Presentations (Session 3) |
|
|
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
Poster Presentations & Reception |
|
Featured Speakers
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Keynote Speaker
Dr. Samantha Gregus Slade, Associate Professor of Psychology at Wichita State University & Director of Initiatives Supporting Positive Youth Relationships Lab (INSPYRE)
Presentation:Interventions for Supporting Chronically Bullied Children
II. Distinguished Alumni Presenter
Dr. David Williams, Associate Dean of the School of Public Health, Director of the Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences & Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University
♂️ Presentation:Promoting Self-Paced Physical Activity
🏅 Award presented by the Psychology Club Student Executive Board.
Academic & Scholarship Awards
We celebrated the outstanding academic achievements of our undergraduate psychology students.
Hughes Family Fund Awards
- Asma Homayra
- Shayla Nagle
- Mackenzie Unsworth
Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Awards
- Nathan Dejesus-Goz
- Abigail Hopkins
- Michelle Richelson
- Shayla Nagle
- Katherine Wilkinson
Michael and Maureen Frank Award
- Award For Excellence in Undergraduate Research in Psychology (Recipient announced at 1:45 PM).
