A Celebration of Academic Excellence & Student Achievement

Stockton University's 2025 Psychology Research Conference and Psi Chi Induction delivered a full day of student research, inspiring alumni stories, and powerful conversations about equity in mental health. Below is a recap of the event.

• Date: May 1, 2025
• Location: Stockton University Campus Center Theater

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 highlighted 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 rigor, creativity, and a clear drive to improve lives through science.

Morning Presentations

• Meaning in Life in Individuals with Dysautonomia — Matthew Yeager explored how chronic health conditions shape purpose and psychological resilience.

• Trust in Sexual Assault Help‑Seeking — Payton Eckell examined a critical barrier affecting sexual assault survivors’ access to support.

• Food Packaging Color & Health Perception — Autumn Bott revealed how design influences consumer decision‑making.

Afternoon Presentations

• Hyperfocus in ADHD — Katherine Wilkinson provided new insight into attentional patterns often misunderstood in public discourse.

• 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 (Class of 2012), Director & Supervisor of Special Education for Wildwood Public City School District, 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 eleven new members into this international honor society, marking a milestone in their academic journeys. The group photo captured the excitement and pride of students joining a network committed to excellence in scholarship and to advancing the science of psychology.

🧠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, during whcih students shared emerging research, exchanged ideas, and built connections. This session highlighted the depth and diversity of inquiry happening within Stockton’s psychology community.

In Conclusion...

The 2025 Psychology Conference 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 and the 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 was a day dedicated to undergraduate academic excellence, distinguished guest speakers, and compelling student research presentations.

• Date: April 26, 2024
• Location: Board of Trustees Room (Stockton University)
• Welcoming Remarks by: Dr. Helana Girgis, Psychology Program Faculty; Autumn Bott, Psi Chi President; and Gabrielle Friel, Psi Chi Vice President

Recognizing Academic Excellence

The event opened by celebrating student accomplishments through several prestigious scholarship and merit awards. Students were recognized for their academic performance, leadership, and contributions to the psychology community, reflecting the program's strong culture of achievement and support for future scholars. Award recipients included students honored through the Hughes Family Fund Awards and the Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Awards.

Hughes Family Fund Award Recipients

• Asma Homayra
• Shayla Nagle
• Mackenzie Unsworth

Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Award Recipients

• Nathan Dejesus-Goz
• Abigail Hopkins
• Michelle Richelson
• Shayla Nagle
• Katherine Wilkinson

Showcasing Undergraduate Research

A central focus of the conference was the presentation of Project for Distinction research, demonstrating the depth and diversity of student scholarship. Undergraduate researchers shared original work addressing a wide range of psychological topics. 

• Josephine Sykora:The Roles of Social Media Use and Attractiveness in Blaming Victims of Sexual Assault
• Sarah Miller:Personality Differences in Anorexia Nervosa
• Maya Vaughn:Psychedelic Use and Generalized Prejudice: Racism, Sexism, Ageism, Xenophobia, & Homophobia
• Shayla Nagle:Grit as a Possible Protective Factor for The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experience on Item and Source Memory Errors
• Nikitha Mohan:Coworker and Family Relationships, Work-Family Balance and Workplace Well-Being of Immigrant Workers
• Emma Riley:Neural Correlates of Perceived Stress
• Gabrielle Friel:Examining the Relationship between Display Rules and Emotional Regulation in Early Childhood
• Keith Jennings:The Effects of Political Affiliation on Moral Judgments

These presentations highlighted students' abilities to conduct independent research, contribute to current psychological conversations, and communicate complex findings to academic audiences.

Growing the Psi Chi Community

The conference also featured the Psi Chi Induction Ceremony, welcoming thirteen new members into the International Honor Society in Psychology. The ceremony recognized students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and a commitment to the field, reinforcing the program's emphasis on scholarship, leadership, and professional development.

The inducted students were Olivia Bereza, Emily Fania, Gabrielle Friel, Abigail Hopkins, Laura Hunt, Julianne Johnson, Shakiyah Laws, Kayla Moura, Karly Pratt, Jasmine Prestia, Arwyn Russell, Rachel Soucier and Matthew Yeager.

Learning from Leaders in the Field

Attendees benefited from presentations by distinguished professionals whose work is making meaningful impacts beyond the university.

Keynote speaker Dr. Samantha Gregus Slade, Associate Professor of Psychology at Wichita State University and Director of the INSPYRE Lab, shared evidence-based approaches for supporting children experiencing chronic bullying in her presentation titled Interventions for Supporting Chronically Bullied Children. .

The conference also welcomed Dr. David Williams, Associate Dean of the School of Public Health and Director of the Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, as the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Williams led a presentation titled Promoting Self-Paced Physical Activity, demonstrating principles that can contribute to healthier communities and public health outcomes.

The conference concluded with a poster session and reception, providing additional opportunities for networking, research discussion, and celebration of the exceptional work being conducted by Stockton University's undergraduate psychology students.

Stockton Psychology Research Conference Showcases Student Achievement and Research Excellence

The 2023 Stockton University Research in Psychology Conference brought together students, faculty, alumni, and community partners for a day dedicated to celebrating academic excellence, and undergraduate research.The annual event highlighted the Psychology Program's commitment to providing students with meaningful research opportunities, leadership experiences, and pathways to graduate study and career success.

• Date: April 28, 2023
• Location: Stockton University, Campus Center Theater
• Welcoming & Introductory Remarks by: Dr. Helana Girgis, Psi Chi Advisor; Belgusa Sherifi, Psi Chi President; and Brenna Borgstede, Vice President

Recognizing Academic Excellence

A major focus of the conference was recognizing student achievement. Multiple students received competitive scholarships and merit awards for their academic performance and contributions to the psychology community, underscoring the program's culture of excellence and student support.

Hughes Family Fund Award Recipients

• Cassandra Bodner
• Ethan Mays
• Emma Riley
• Riley King

Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Award Recipients

• Alyssa Egenolf
• Nikitha Mohan
• Em McHugh
• Katherine Wilkinson
• Nichole Data

Growing the Psi Chi Community

Twenty-one new members were also inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, recognizing outstanding academic accomplishment and leadership potential. The inducted students were: Max Eisenman, Mary Burns, Rachel Ferrara, Sarah Kuperstein, Sarah Miller, Katherine Wilkinson, Nicole Gingerelli, Jessica Sromovsky, Shayla Nagle, Arden Greenblatt, Alisha Akins, Alexandra Vargas, Katherine Quintana Godoy, Kaitlyn Bennett, Melvin Bravo, Nicholas Cerniglia, Jamie Nevin, Ronald Cox, Maya Vaughn, Molly Elum and Emma Riley.

Showcasing Undergraduate Research

Throughout the conference, students demonstrated the strength and breadth of Stockton's undergraduate research program by presenting original Distinction Projects on timely and socially relevant topics. Research explored issues including mental health, social media influences, eating behaviors, prejudice reduction, growth mindset interventions, and sensory perception. These presentations reflected students' ability to apply psychological science to real-world challenges while developing advanced research, analytical, and communication skills.

• Kaylee Heslin:The effects of religiosity, social media, and parental modeling on disordered eating behaviors and cognitions
•  Ethan Mays:An examination of the effects of Loving Kindness mediation to reduce explicit and implicit homophobia
• Cassandra Bodner:Adopting a growth mindset: Effects on frontal alpha asymmetry
•  Anna Caputo:A Multisensory approach: The effect of deceptive visual and odor cues flavor perception

Learning from Leaders in the Field

The conference also connected students with accomplished professionals whose careers demonstrate the impact of psychology beyond the classroom.

Alumni Presentation and Award

Alumni speaker Veronica Campbell shared insights about conducting research in psychology, providing students with valuable perspectives on academic and professional opportunities after graduation. Distinguished Alumni Award recipient was Dr. Joseph Adams (Class of 2009) LPC, LCADC, CCS, ACS, Private Practice Psychotherapist, Partner & Chief Clinical Officer at Bridge Counseling Services and Family Empowerment Recovery Services. Dr. Adams delivered an inspiring presentation titled " Just Keep Going",  focused on resilience and personal growth.

Keynote Address

Attendees further benefited from a keynote address by neuropsychologist Dr. Chris Niebauer from the institute for Creative Living, whose presentation titled No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology is Catching up with Buddhism explored the intersection of neuroscience and mindfulness.

By bringing nationally recognized experts to campus, the conference provided students with exposure to emerging ideas and contemporary issues shaping the field of psychology.

The conference concluded with poster presentations and recognition of students involved in the Gerontology Minor and SCOSA internship programs, reinforcing Stockton's emphasis on experiential learning and applied scholarship. Together, these achievements demonstrated the Psychology Program's emphasis on preparing students to become researchers, practitioners, and leaders in their communities and professions.

Stockton University Research in Psychology Conference 2022: Celebrating Student Achievement, Scholarship, and Professional Growth

The 2022 Stockton University Research in Psychology Conference brought together students, faculty, alumni, and community partners for a day dedicated to academic excellence and student research innovation. 

• Date: April 29, 2022
• Location: Stockton University, Campus Center Theater
• Welcome & Introductory Remarks by Dr. Helana Girgis, Psi Chi Advisor; and Carlee Bellapigna, Psi Chi President

Recognizing Academic Excellence

The conference opened by celebrating student achievement through the presentation of the Hughes Family Fund Awards and the Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Awards. the following psychology students were recognized for their academic performance, leadership, and commitment to scholarly excellence, underscoring the program's continued investment in student success.

Hughes Family Fund Award Recipients

• Poorva Patel
• Reet Patel
• Van Nhi Ho

Keith B. Williams Psychology Merit Scholar Award Recipients

• Kattleya Leigh T Go
• Moujnir Lewis
• Van Nhi Ho
• Nichole Data
• Tierra Houston
• Brooke Mischlich
• Em McHugh
• Jessica Hunt

Supporting Student Research and Leadership

A central theme of the conference was the importance of undergraduate research as a transformative learning experience. Student leader Carlee Bellapigna shared insights on the value of research experiences in psychology, demonstrating how hands-on scholarship prepares students for graduate studies, careers, and leadership opportunities. 

Showcasing Undergraduate Research

Two student researchers presented their projects for distinction addressing important social and health-related issues. Topics included the benefits of guided autobiography programs for older adults and strategies for improving attitudes and behaviors related to concussion awareness. These projects reflected students' ability to apply psychological research to real-world challenges and demonstrated the program's emphasis on evidence-based problem solving.

• Nicole White, Benefits of Guided Autobiography for Older Adults
• Carlie Pascale, Determining the Best Approach to Promote Change in Attitudes and Behaviors Towards Concussions
•  

Growing the Psi Chi Community

The event also included the Psi Chi Induction Ceremony, welcoming a new cohort of high-achieving students into the International Honor Society in Psychology. This year twenty-one students were inducted.

Connecting Students to Career Pathways

One of the conference highlights was the Distinguished Alumni Award presentation featuring Dr. Matt Strobel, a Stockton graduate, licensed psychologist, and founder of Navesink Psychological Services. His presentation, Psychology: Where Can It Take You?, provided students with practical perspectives on translating their academic experiences into successful professional careers. The session was a great opportunity to strengthen connections between current students and accomplished alumni.

Advancing Conversations on Diversity and Inclusion

The conference keynote address by Dr. Freddie Pastrana Rivera of the University of Southern Mississippi explored the effects of bias-based victimization on youth and the importance of supporting diverse populations. The presentation is an example of how psychological research can inform more inclusive communities and improve outcomes for vulnerable groups.

Celebrating Community Engagement and Experiential Learning

The event also recognized students involved in the Gerontology Minor and SCOSA internship programs, highlighting the value of experiential learning opportunities that connect classroom knowledge with community impact. These programs provide students with practical experience while serving the needs of older adults and community organizations.