
ortheast Regional Honors Council

NRHC 2025
March 27-30
Civic Engagement
at the Crossroads
Conference Program
Conference At-A-Glance
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Thursday, March 27
Join us as we kick-off #NRHC2025!
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OPENING EVENT
7 PM to 8:30 PM
Pennsylvania ballroom
Join us for an Author/Artist Talk with artist, writer, educator, and public art producer, Jeff Copus, co-founder of Sprocket Mural Works, an organization dedicating to designing and executing community murals in and around Harrisburg.
Jeff Copus is an award-winning artist, educator, and public art producer. In 2014, he co-founded Sprocket Mural Works, a nonprofit that collaborates with neighborhoods, artists, and organizations to create vibrant community murals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Sprocket seeks to nurture community pride and civic engagement through creative action. In 10 years, Sprocket has completed 150 murals and public art installations in the central Pennsylvania region.
As an artist, Jeff has personally created 20 murals and public art pieces around the Harrisburg area. His paintings have been displayed in galleries around the region including the Susquehanna Art Museum and the Art Association of Harrisburg. As an author, his published works include a chapter on using art as a form of resistance to address community blight and a
mural how to manual.
Jeff teaches Visual Arts at Harrisburg Academy, an International Baccalaureate Continuum School. He previously taught classes at Penn State Harrisburg and York College. He received an MA in Communications from Penn State Harrisburg and a BS in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Jeff currently serves as the Vice President of Sprocket Mural Works, and he enjoys living with his wife and son in Harrisburg, PA.
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Student Event: NRHC Trivia Night
8:30 PM to 10 PM
Pennsylvania Ballroom
Looking for the perfect way to unwind, make new friends, and show off your brainpower? NRHC Trivia Night is the place to be! Whether you're a trivia pro or just in it for the fun, this event promises an unforgettable evening of laughs, competition, and connection with fellow honors students from across the region.
What to Expect
Charged & Ready: Make sure to bring your phones fully charged. Our interactive trivia platform will have you buzzing in answers in real-time.
Epic Prizes: Show off your smarts and score some awesome rewards. Prizes will be awarded to top teams and individuals, so bring your "A-game."
Connect & Compete: Trivia Night is more than just answering questions—it's about bonding with peers. Join a team, meet new friends, or compete solo.
Fun for All: Questions will cover a mix of topics, from pop culture to history, science to random fun facts—so everyone has a shot at victory.
Why You Should Join
NRHC Trivia Night is designed to be more than just a game—it's a chance to relax, recharge, and build connections while engaging in some friendly competition. You’ll leave with new friends, great memories, and maybe even a prize or two.
Don’t miss out! Bring your energy, your curiosity, and your fully charged phone. Let’s see who takes the title of NRHC Trivia Champion!
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FACULTY/STAFF Event: Social Hour
8:30 PM to 10 PM
Leland
Join us to meet and talk with other Honors directors and professional staff.

Above: Jess Copus
Friday, March 28
Today, conference attendees will have the opportunity to explore Harrisburg, our host city. We will also host our Performing Arts & Film Showcase, Art Gallery, and NRHC Banquet today.
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City As Text Opening: Frank Grumbine
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Harrisburg Ballroom
Join Frank Grumbine, Historic Preservation Specialist for Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, as we kick off exploring in Harrisburg.
Frank Grumbine is the Central Pennsylvania Community Preservation Coordinator for the State Historic Preservation Office. Frank provides technical assistance to communities and municipalities about preserving historic places, cultural resources, and community identity. Prior to this position, Frank was the historic preservation specialist for the City of Harrisburg where he managed the City’s municipal historic preservation program. Frank has experience in historic preservation planning, landscape conservation, rehabilitation construction, zoning reform, building science, and public policy. Frank is a graduate of Shippensburg University and is a lifelong resident of Central Pennsylvania.
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Publishing in Honors
3 PM to 4 PM
Leland
Join us for our first-ever session where both professionals and students can learn how to publish in honors publications.
For professionals, these publications include the Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council (JNCHC), HIP (HIP), and NCHC monographs. For students, we will touch on the NCHC's student publication UReCA and our regional publication, Illuminate.
The following authors have agreed to share their insights and will serve on our panel:
Professionals:
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Matthew Baran, SUNY Buffalo State University
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Susan Dinan, Adelphia University
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Patrick Fazioli, Mercy University
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Andrew Martino, Salisbury University
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Jennifer Willford, Slippery Rock University
Students:
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AJ de la Cruz, Point Park University
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Cloe Loosz, Point Park University
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Amber Lyons, Westfield State University
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Grace Maldonado, SUNY Buffalo State University
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Performing Arts & Film Showcase
4 PM to 5 PM
Leland
Moderator: Kat MacDonald, Monroe University
"Words of Freedom: Poetry as Activism"
Tyrese Fletcher-Hewlett, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University
"kamala is brat: Memes in Politics"
KateLynn Garden, Camden County College
“Civic Engagement: The Turning Point of Tackling Waste Management and Food Security”
Christina Freeman, New Jersey City University
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NRHC Expo & Student Art Gallery
5 PM to 6:30 PM
Metropolitan ABC
NRHC Expo Tables
Bard College
Towson University
National Collegiate Honors Council
Lock Haven University
Chatham University
Point Park University
Shippensburg University
SUNY Oswego
Westfield State University
Thiel College
Art Gallery Presentations
"A Moment in Time"
Emily Burdikoff, Hudson Valley Community College
"Every Body is Beautiful"
Pacey Connor, Stevenson University
"A Sacrificial Offering"
Emily Eisenhard, Northampton Community College
"An Abstract Interpretation of the Pennsylvania Flag"
Ava Kavulla, Thiel College
"Pastoral Pennsylvania"
Ava Kavulla, Thiel College
"THIS IS KILLING ME"
Finch Kluegel, Fairleigh Dickinson University
"Surrealist Collage Series"
Amber Lyons, Westfield State University
“Sustainable Fashion Materials”
Grace Maldonado, SUNY Buffalo State University
"Wandering"
Amanda Olachea, Dominican University New York
"PTSD: An Attempted Kidnapping, An Attempted Survival Series"
Elisabeth Small, Monroe Community College
"Progression of Still Life"
Aaron Smart, Westfield State University
“¿Tu voto apoya a quién? : Manifestation of Latine Division at the Polls”
Destiny Zhinin, Gallaudet University
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NRHC Banquet & Keynote Address with Lenwood Sloan
7 PM to 9 PM
Harrisburg Ballroom
Enjoy dinner and remarks from Lenwood (Leni) Sloan, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Monument Project, which preserves, conserves, and rededicates historic and cultural monuments throughout the state.
In that capacity, he spearheaded the placement of the first monument dedicated to the 15th and 19th amendments in the United States at Pennsylvania’s Capitol.
He is co-chair of the building committee for the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Smith Center for History and Democracy targeted to open in Lancaster in October, 2025.
Sloan served as Pennsylvania Governor Wolf’s appointee to the Commonwealth Capitol Preservation Committee (CPC). In addition, he was a founding board member for The African American Irish Diaspora Network (AAIDN),
He has provided stewardship as a member of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (MAAFA, the Pennsylvania Downtown Association (PDA), the Lancaster (Pa.) Heritage Society (LHS), the Lancaster (Pa.) Public Arts Program. (LPAP), the Harrisburg Sprocket Mural Project, and co-convenor and moderator of Lancaster: ARTS TALK!
Sloan is well known across the U.S. as a catalytic agent, animator, and facilitator of cultural and heritage programs. His artistic credits include creating the “Art in the Marketplace” programs for the Rouse Corporation in New Orleans, St. Louis, Boston, and Baltimore. In addition, he participated as a movement specialist on the artistic team “12 Years A Slave”, and four national public television documentaries, Treme- Untold Story, Emmy award winning Ethnic Notions, Stephen Foster, and the Emmy award winning Dance Black America.
Sloan was guest artist with the International “Silk-Road” Project for PBS and Irish Public Television released in fall of 2024.
For over 30 years, he collaborated with the renowned late Dr. Mick Moloney presenting programs, concerts and masterclasses on the convergence, contributions, and conflicts of Black and Irish experiences in the United States. Their collaboration took the pair from New York to San Francisco and Cuba to Limerick, Ireland.
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Student Event: Karaoke Night
9 PM to 11:30 PM
Harrisburg Ballroom
Show off your vocal skills (or just have fun) at Karaoke Night! Sign up in person to take the stage and belt out your favorite tunes with friends. The top three performances will be announced at the award ceremony on Sunday and will receive an award (one per winning group). Between songs, join the Swag Swap—bring college merch from your school and trade for gear from other honors programs. Whether you're singing, swapping, or just cheering everyone on, it’s a night of music, memories, and new connections you won’t want to miss!

Above: Frank Grumbine

Above: Lenwood Sloan
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
Today is the big day of presentations! Check the schedule carefully for your session time and location.
**Please note that for Academic Panel Presentations, presenters will present in the order listed in this program.**
Click the links below to scroll to the appropriate conference activity.
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM - Networking Breakfast & Idea Exchange
8:45 AM to 10 AM: Session 1
10:15 AM to 11:30 AM: Session 2
11:45 AM to 1 PM: Presidential Luncheon
1:15 PM to 2:30 PM: Poster Session 1
2:45 PM to 4 PM: Session 3
4:15 PM to 5:30 PM: Session 4
8:30 PM to 11:59 PM: Student Gala: The Secret Garden
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Networking Breakfast & IDea Exchange
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM
Harrisburg Ballroom
“Honors Passports Initiative: Encouraging Participation”
Christopher Berdnik, Community College of Allegheny County
“Empowering Student Voices: The Impact of Student-Administrator Collaboration on Honors Program Initiatives”
Caitlin Grant, Post University
“Community Engagement High Impact Practices: Exchanging Ideas for Creating Positive Social Change”
Gerardina Martin, West Chester University
“Servant Leadership in Honors: Experiments and Experiences”
Micaela Peterson and Cassandra Siple, Community College of Allegheny County
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Session 1
8:45 AM to 10 AM
Breakout rooms
Academic Panel Presentations
Penn Harris A
The Environment, Housing Infrastructure, and Sports
Moderator: Elizabeth Kravanya, Cleveland State University
“Dyeing for Change: Exploring the Environmental Impact of Textile Dyes and Sustainable Solutions”
Isaiah Ahmeen, Thomas Jefferson University
“From Local to Global: The Crossroads of Globalization and Sports”
Ivan Breton, Monroe University
“The Impact of Housing Infrastructure on Relief Policy: Evidence from Mobile Homes in Florida (2017-2022)”
Remmy Goyette, Chatham University
“A River at Risk: Saving the Susquehanna”
Grace Shartle, Loyola University Maryland
Penn Harris B
Rethinking Educational Frameworks: Global Perspectives, Equity, and Innovation
Moderator: Natalia Peña, Post University
“The International Apple Core: A Deeper Dive in the Educational Perspectives and Practices of the United States of America and Sierra Leone”
Justice Simpson, Stevenson University
“Place and Space-Based Learning: Actualization of Place for the Global Learner”
K.C. Thoman, West Chester University
“Achievement Bias in Gifted Education: A Foundation for Disparity”
Jessica Cavalier, Cuyahoga Community College
“Stepping Beyond Borders: Science Education in the Heart of the Amazon”
Grace Fontoura, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Harrisburger A
Race, Activism, and Political Leadership
Moderator: Jawad Zaman, St. Joseph's University
“Invisible Boundaries: Redlining, Racism, and the Spatial Legacy of Segregation”
Trevor Adams, Thomas Jefferson University
“Madame Stephanie St. Clair Demonstrates Activism in Unconventional Ways”
Sarah Brandle, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
“The Echo of Progress: Confronting Gender and Racial Disparities in Employment Law for Black Women”
Gabrielle Williams, Stevenson University
Harrisburger B
LGBTQIA2S+ Community Resilience
Moderator, Ashleigh Fox, Community College of Allegheny County
“Brunches, Bingos, and Beatniks: Drag Performers as Creators of Resistance Since 2009”
Connor Dapp, West Chester University
“Gender in the Roman Empire: Norms, Perceptions, and Exceptionalities of a Binary System”
Lillian Norbeck, Towson University
“Let's Get Physical: How We Can Redefine Queer Sexuality through BDSM”
August Stephens, Point Park University
Leland
Use of Technology to Optimize Efficiency in Real-World Applications
Moderator: Yuvaraj Vagula, Cleveland State University
“Exploring Triaxial Electrospinning as a Sustainable Encapsulation Method for Phase Change Materials”
Gabriella Begley, Rowan University
“Improvement in kNN Algorithm to Decrease False-negatives in Imbalanced Datasets”
Vaishnavi Dixit, Adelphi University
“The Life of Evidence: The Impact of DNA Technologies on Historical Investigations”
Alison M. Edwards, Cedar Crest College
Brady
The Crossroads of Communication: Movies, Social Media, and Marketing
Moderator: Matt Baran, SUNY Buffalo State University
“How Do You Make Long Movies Palatable For A Modern Audience”
Jack Anderson, University of Hartford
“Hedgehogs, Heroes, Hashtags and Harassment: Blurring Lines Between Producers and Consumers in the Social Media Age”
Chris Morrison, Stevenson University
“Storytelling in Marketing”
Adrienne Brewster, Sacred Heart University
"Mind the Synaptic Gap: Bridging the Divide Between Truth and Misinformation"
Emily Gunnip and Isabella Schaefer, Molloy University
Lochiel
Crossroads I: Identity and Culture
Moderator: Halle Elder, Cleveland State University
“The Increased Risk of Suicide for Transnational Adoptees: An Intersectional Study of Cultural Identities, Race, and Ethnicity”
Elisabeth Small, Monroe Community College
“History, Origin, and Traditions of the Knanaya Jacobites”
Annu Shajimon, University of Saint Joseph
“Mediating Mestizo Definitions Through Indigenous Folk Music”
Amira Merino, Mercer County Community College
William Penn
Advances in Experimental Psychology
Moderator: Jennifer Willford, Slippery Rock University
“Earth and Ice: Testing the Calming Capacity of Earthing After an Acute Stressor”
Jamie Czikowsky, Westfield State University
“Kick Social Media Out, Bring Sudoku In: Take Back Control Over Your Attention”
Mauricio Rodriguez, Jeanette Altarriba, and Dailyn Clark, SUNY Albany
“Bilingual Speakers at the Crossroads”
Mgim Gousse, Adelphi University
United States
Education: Challenges and Trends
Moderator: Gwen Kay, SUNY Oswego
“The Teaching of Government & Nonprofit Accounting at Higher Education Institutions in the Northeastern United States and Its Impact on the Profession”
Daniel Currier, Westfield State University
“Meeting the Needs of Diverse Students Through Equity: A Comprehensive Inquiry”
Ian Beck, Camden County College
“Diversity in Discovery: Inclusion of Women in Science Classrooms”
Grace Romanowski, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Roundtable Presentations
***All roundtable presentations are in the Pennsylvania Ballroom***
Moderator: Sean Oros, Thiel College
Discussions About Performing Arts and Film
“Telling The Horrific Story Of Sibling Sexual Abuse Through Performing Arts”
Michelle Trieu, Westfield State University
“Transcending Stages: The Evolution of Les Misérables from Stage to Screen”
Ethan Young, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Talking About Best Practices in Honors Education
“Engaging Through Action: Student Perspectives on Community Matters”
Jeff Strickland, Sara Flores, Islei Amparo, Lily Kearney, and Simone White, Montclair State University
“Promoting Civic Engagement”
David Valica, Crystal A. Genthe, and Ryan Villegas, New Jersey City University
“Beyond Borders: The Transformative Power of Studying Abroad”
Alexis Brown, Thiel College
“Elizabethtown College’s Quasquicentennial (1899-2024), Place as Text, and an ArcGIS Story Map Civically Engaging a College at the Crossroads”
Ava Barton and Shawn R. Gipe, Elizabethtown College
“Engaging in Scholarship: Thiel College's Undergraduate Research Journal”
Makenna Oswalt and Kaitynn Wolffe, Thiel College
“An Honors Crossroads Conversation: To Engage or not to Engage?”
Margaret Patterson, Salisbury University
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Session 2
10:15 AM to 11:30 AM
BReakout ROoms
Academic Panel Presentations
Penn Harris A
Creative Representations in Literature, Cinema, and The Arts
Moderator: Cloe Loosz, Point Park University
“Women In Horror: Exploring How Femininity is Portrayed in the Horror Genre”
Marianna Mancuso, Northampton Community College
“Berakin: A Light Novel and Its Creation”
Kahlisha Martin, Kutztown University
“Censorship in Cinema: How the Codes Were Built and Broken”
Ryan Mitchell, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“Behind the Curtain: The Dance of Theatre and Censorship”
Luke Hampshire, Jameson White, Katharine Yeargin, Angelo Domingo, Ruri Kodama, Emma McGinn, Molloy University
Penn Harris B
Economics, Insurance, and Aviation
Niall Hegarty, St. John's University
“Measuring the Cost of Economic Privacy”
John Gaynor, St. John's University
“Cyber Insurance Pricing Dynamics: Economic Modeling Post High-Profile Attacks”
Samit Alam, St. John's University
“Challenges the Commercial Airlines are Facing Today”
Yin Lok Ng, Southern New Hampshire University
Harrisburger A
The Power of Progress: Nanotechnology, AI, and Bridging the Digital Divide
Moderator: Lorraine Affigne, SUNY Albany
“The Current and Future State of Nanotechnology: The Huge Impact of Making Things Small”
AJ Rondinelli, Community College of Allegheny County
“At the Crossroads of Innovation: Bridging the Digital Divide for a Connected Future”
Caileigh Grimberg, Loyola University Maryland
“Benchmarking Neural Machine Translation Using Open-Source Transformer Models and a Comparative Study with a Focus on Medical and Legal Domains”
Jawad Zaman, St. Joseph's University
Harrisburger B
Local Histories
Nancy Raftery, Camden County College
“The Scourge of Small Town Fascism”
Dyland Bariexca, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“‘We’ve Come to Stay:’ The Historic Preservation Movement and the Struggle for Place in New England”
Carlos Cueva Caro, Salem State University
“Pennsylvania Historic District Act of 1961: Civic Engagement at the Crossroads: Honors Theses About Civically Engaged Scholarship and City as Text™ in the National Historic District of Marietta, PA”
Hudson Peck and Jordyn E. Dutko, Elizabethtown College
Leland
The Interdisciplinarity of Politics: Social Media, Politics, and Culture
Moderator: Chris Brittain, Ocean County College
“The Crossroads Between Social Media and Civic Engagement—Benefits and Consequences”
Felicity Stuart, Monroe University
“Keeping History Transparent: Lessons from Truth Commissions in Brazil and Nicaragua”
Leo Bignault, Westchester University
“Innovating South-Centric Cooperation: The Role of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa New Development Bank in Institutionalizing Sustainable Development”
Egbe Etta-Ashu, New Jersey City University
“Crimes of the American Empire on the Island and People of Puerto Rico”
Xzavier Pacheco, Northampton Community College
Brady
Equitable Language: Translations, Representations, and Education
Moderator: Patrick Fazioli, Mercy University
“Jane Austen Abroad: From Regency England to the World”
Cynthia Honeycutt, Thiel College
“The Importance of Accurate Representation of Queer Experiences in Film and Media”
Tracy Gladding, Gallaudet University
“His Name is Sam Nordquist: The Mortifying Language of Naming, Condemning, and Remaining in 'We the Mulvaneys?' and the United States, 2025”
Dirk Wynn, Chatham University
Lochiel
Smarter Healthcare Through AI
Susan Dinan, Adelphi University
“Machine Learning-Enhanced Estimation of Proton Stopping Power in Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for Pediatric Cancer Therapy”
Roya W. Parsa, Adelphi University
“Augmented Reality-Assisted Surgery: Medical Integration and Impact”
Carmine Picone, Northampton Community College
“Implications of a Medical Smart Home on Promoting Independence and Improving Care Management for an Older Adult with an Above-the-Knee Amputation and Brittle Diabetes”
Dalia Savy, Adelphi University
“Ketogenic Motor Rehabilitation of TBI Patients”
Hayden W. Tucker, Thiel College
William Penn
Health Care Equity and Access
Moderator: Ian Beck, Camden County College
“Healthcare at a Crossroads: Breaking Down Communication Barriers for Equity”
Andrew Crawford, Gallaudet University
“The Crossroads of Maternal and Infant Health: Examining Policy Gaps in the United States Healthcare”
Meral Demiroska, University of Saint Joseph
“Assessing the Correlation Between Spatial Access to Primary Care Physicians and Health Outcomes Using the 3SFCA Method: A Maryland Case Study”
Nathaniel D. Heaton, Frederick Community College
“Biases in the United States Healthcare System and How They Contribute to Increased Rates of Infant and Maternal Mortality”
Rachel L. O'Day, Khushi Saini, and Alexa A. Celso, Molloy University
United States
Advances in Mental Health
Edward Howell, Rowan University
“Can Dogs Help Students Relieve Stress?”
Jeff Palma, Sacred Heart University
“The Crossroads of a Man: How Hegemonic Masculinity Presents a Violent and Prevalent Message in America’s School Age Boys”
Jacob Griffin, Salisbury University
“The Crossroads Between Mental Health and Gender in Millennials and Gen Z”
Brianna Ramos, Monroe University
“Alternative Methods for Treating Major Depression Disorder”
Max Fitch, Salem State University
Roundtable Presentations
***All roundtable presentations are in the Pennsylvania Ballroom***
Moderator: AnnMarie DelliPizzi, Dominican University New York
Law Enforcement Conversations
“Reforming the Blue”
Jensi Javier Cabrera, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“Policing The Mind: Mental Health Intervention Through Law Enforcement”
Mekhi Bowen, Westfield State University
Crossroads Between Literature and Technology
“More Than a Story: Analyzing the Moral Imagination in Timeless Children’s Literature and Creating an Original Children’s Story”
Ava Kavulla, Thiel College
“The Human Touch: Examining the Human Ability to Differentiate Between Human-Generated Poetry and Artificial-Intelligence-Generated Poetry”
Hannah Stoughton, Thiel College
Discussions Surrounding Significant Social Issues
“Building Bridges: Habitat for Humanity's Impact on Civic Engagement”
Megan Lombardt, Post University
“Change In Homelessness”
Jalanii Newman, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“A Public Health Perspective on Domestic Violence: Strengthening Communities through Civic Engagement”
Tammy West, Monroe University
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Presidential LUncheon
11:45 AM to 1 PM
HArrisburg Ballroom
Please join us for a sit-down luncheon to celebrate this year's conference and the students and faculty who contributed to its success.
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Poster Session 1
1:15 PM to 2:30 PM
Pennsylvania Ballroom
(1) “CRISPR/Cas9 Knockout of TirB: Discovering New Pathways in Innate Immune Signaling”
Theresa Abalum, Towson University
(2) “The Importance of ASL Literature and Literature Translations for Equity in Literacy”
Kailee Bates, Gallaudet University
(3) "Mustard Green Growth Yield in Relation to Sulfur and Acidity"
Anjani Sharma Bhaskar Sharma and Sophia Fonseca, Bergen Community College
(4) “Cultivating Community Leaders: Practical Strategies for Student Engagement in the Writing Classroom”
Courtney Bridges, West Chester University
(5) 5"Immunotherapies in Cancer: Revolutionizing and Advancing Cancer Immunotherapies at the Crossroads”
Elizabeth Buppert, Salisbury University
(6) "Strengthening Stress Coping Skills: Outcomes of an Honors College Wellness Retreat"
Alexandra Caldwell, Slippery Rock University
(7) “A Crossroads of Healthcare: United Kingdom Physician Associates”
Braedon Campbell, Commonwealth University - Lock Haven
(8) “Do Low HDI States Foster Environments Conducive to Radicalization?”
Leah Collidge, Towson University
(9) “At the Crossroads of Care and Change: Navigating the Lasting Impact of Chemotherapy on Motor Function in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors”
Adrianna Denio, Russell Sage College
(10) “Unveiling Lingering Inequity: Addressing Healthcare Disparities Within U.S. Indigenous Communities”
Lily Dufresne, Westfield State University
(11) “Creating Community Through Murals”
Emily Eisenhard, Northampton Community College
(12) “Development of a Scale Measuring Trust Among Teammates in Competitive Situations”
Friedrich Feldrappe, University of Saint Joseph
(13) “Assessing Awareness Regarding Mental Health Resources Among College Students in Hartford and West Hartford, CT”
Liangie Garcia, University of Saint Joseph
(14) "Comparison of Agricultural Systems within Community Gardens"
Derek Gonzalez, Hanieh Kachooee, and Hosna Kachooee, Bergen Community College
(15) “Burnout among Clinical Pharmacists: The Crossroads of Work Culture and Personal Health”
Sloane Gould, Salisbury University
(16) “Cloning, Overexpression, and Functional Analysis of a Karenia brevis Caspase 3-like Gene in E. coli using an Alternate Start Codon”
Antonio Guarino, William Paterson University
(17) “Ship ANCHORED: A Case Study on Teaching with Augmented Communication Devices”
Casey Harper, Shippensburg University
(18) “Disordered Eating and Intentional Insulin Restriction Among Individuals with Type 1 diabetes: Examining Diabetes Distress, Weight Esteem, and Perception of BMI as Health as Risk Factors”
Jayden Hartlaub and Erin Hill, West Chester University
(19) “Higher Education’s Paywall: The Impact of Privatized Academic Resources on Students”
Alexis Hayes, Community College of Allegheny County
(20) “Health Inequity and Mental Trauma Among Palestinians: Addressing Disparities Amid Conflict”
Duaa Imran, Mercy University
(21) “Medicated or Affiliated: How Does Cannabis Affect College Students?”
Laniya Jones, Community College of Allegheny County
(22) “Health and Healing at the Crossroads: Building Stronger Communities through Civic Engagement”
Chashman Khan, Mercy University
(23) “The Road to Medicine: Peer Mentorship at West Chester University”
Allison Koehle, West Chester University
(24) “Kicking with Probability: Using Match Data to Analyze Shooting Probability from Pass Sequences Among Team Tactical Formations in Men’s Professional Soccer”
Aaron Kolaric, Shippensburg University
(25) “Will it Cleave? How Lipopolysaccharide Structures Affect Complement Activation and Contribute to Sepsis Deaths”
Rachel Kramer, Towson University
(26) “Understanding Dreams Through the Convergence of Psychological Theories”
Carina LaRocca, Fairleigh Dickinson University
(27) “International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Assessments of Photosynthetic Sacoglossan Sea Slug Species”
Allison Lentz, Kutztown University
(28) “Cut & Paste: Subversive Collage of the 20th Century”
Amber Lyons, Westfield State University
(29) “Implementing A2L Refrigerants: The Newest Crossroad of the HVAC Industry”
Owen Mathieu, Westfield State University
(30) “Bounded Suboptimal Beam Search”
Paige McAfee, Devin Thomas, and Wheeler Ruml, University of New Hampshire
(31) “Detecting AI-Generated Content in Student Work: Preserving Academic Integrity in the Age of Generative AI”
Lindsey McGovern, Salem State University
(32) “Is Love Addiction Associated with Personality Disorders and Trauma?”
Aani Mehta, Adelphi University
(33) “Investigating Potential Transcriptional Regulators of Cilia Assembly and Function in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii”
Morelia Morel Diaz and Melanie Zimmermann, Salem State University
(34) “Rural Radicalism: The Role of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus in the Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights”
Bryanna Nase, Millersville University
(35) “An Analytical Study of the Challenges Faced by Underprivileged Communities in New Jersey: Insights from Online Content”
Tina Nosrati, Ramapo College of New Jersey
(36) "3-D Printed Open-Sourced Anthropomorphic Robotic Arm"
Alejandro Olarte, Bergen Community College
(37) “Predicting Air Quality and Public Health Impacts: A Machine Learning Approach to Understanding Pollution and Meteorological Factors in New Jersey”
Paula Perez Portero, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University
(38) “Hands Across the Community: Participatory Budgeting”
Sarai Plaza, Mercy University
(39) “Connecting Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Partnerships and Cultural Exchange”
Karen Pujols, Thomas Jefferson University
(40) “Can I Step Over It? The Role of Eye Height in Predicting Stepping Ability”
Numa Quraishi, Ramapo College of New Jersey
(41) "DT-10: The 10 Meter Drop Tower"
Jordan Rodriguez, Bergen Community College
(42) “Casinos of Indigenous Tribes and Their History”
Sophia Rebenciuc, Westfield State University
(43) “Insurance Coverage: The Impact on Life Saving Care”
Hillary Sackett-Taylor and Autumn R. Frailey, Westfield State University
(44) “Data Literacy in Generation Z: Understanding of Data Privacy and Security Based on Access to Technology”
Murana Sheriff, Monroe University
(45) “Crossroads for Native American Nations' Sovereignty”
Lia Steskla, Westfield State University
(46) “A Case Study of a Student-Tutor Pair’s Metacognitive Regulation in General Chemistry for a Tutoring Program Designed for Neurodivergent Students”
Derek Stuart, Thomas Jefferson University
(47) “Missing Children and Unsolved Cases: The Crossroads of Despair and Hope”
Abigail Tiburcio, Westfield State University
(48) “A Childhood Virus Implicates Autoimmune Disease – The Influence of Epstein-Barr Virus on the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis: A Literature Review “
Cookie Wahba, Ramapo College of New Jersey
(49) “The Culture of Mental Health on College Campuses: The Impact of Technology on Student Wellness”
Shuwanna Williams, Monroe University
(50) “Investigating Potential Transcriptional Regulators of Cilia function in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii”
Melanie Zimmermann, Salem State University
(86) “Low-Intensity Fires Impacting Soil Bacterial Population Diversity”
Wallace Tonks, Russell Sage College
strand descriptions
Session 3
2:45 PM to 4 PM
Breakout Rooms
Academic Panel Presentations
Penn Harris A
Money Matters: Diverse Perspectives on Wealth and Financial Policy
Moderator: Tracey Freiberg, St. John's University
“The Case for Common Cents”
Alexandra Cicala, St. John's University
“Discussing the Merits of the United States Returning to the Gold Standard”
Jack Ippolito, St. John's University
“Equally Accounted: Civic Engagement Through Inclusive Financial Empowerment”
Kylar Maldonado, University of Hartford
"BDCs vs Decentralized Currencies: Implications for 21st Century Financial Challenges"
Andrew Sobhy, Cleveland State University
Penn Harris B
Political Discourse on Human Rights
Lamyaa Hassib, Hudson Valley Community College
“Constitutionality of Preventive Detention”
Khyarah Manice, University of Hartford
“The Silent Genocide: Making a Change for the Uyghur People”
Elizabeth Kim, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“Civic Development in Global Deaf Communities”
Julia Bronneberg, Gallaudet University
Harrisburger A
Humanity, Nature, Technology, and Sustainability at the Crossroads
Moderator: Zachary Aidala, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University
“Perspectives of Power and Privilege in Rebecca Harding Davis' ‘Life in the Iron MIlls’”
Charlie Dorlon, Chatham University
“The Specter of our Humanity in John Hollander's ‘Swan and Shadow’”
Raewyn Kraybill, Chatham University
“The John Henry Story: An American Portrait of the Working Class”
Vince Smykal, Point Park University
“At a Crossroad: Ecological Sustainability on Frederick Community College’s Campus”
Calvin Mandes, Frederick Community College
Harrisburger B
Mechanistic Approaches to Addressing Biomedical and Ecological Problems
Moderator: Rivka Glaser, Stevenson University
“IBC Challenges Conventional Wisdom Employing Passive Metastasis”
Chimnecherem C. Obiadazie and Manpreet Sikka, Rowan University
“The NLRP3 Enigma: Deciphering the Molecular Mechanisms of Systemic Inflammation”
Diya Telwala, Adelphi University
“Understanding the Impact of 3D Printing on the Growth of Biofilms on Additively
Manufactured 316L SS”
Ashley M. Igbokwe, New Jersey City University and Gary Halada, Stony Brook University
“Microfibers: From the Loom to a Looming Threat to Estuarine Health, the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea Virginica, and Public Health”
Tyler Mendela, University of Hartford
Leland
Civic Engagement and Advocacy on the College Campus
Moderator: Andrew Martino, Salisbury University
“Navigating the Crossroads: Trauma Informed Practices for Community College Transition”
David Homans, Frederick Community College
“Strengthening Civic Participation and Support for International Students at Farmingdale State College”
Aika Suizu, Farmingdale State College
“Breaking Barriers: How Conversations Amongst College Students Challenge Power Structures and Advance Abortion Access”
Isabella White, Chatham University
“The Adjustment of International Students in Rural US Colleges”
Simi Kishore, Hartwick College
Brady
Looking Toward the Future of Antimicrobial Therapy
Moderator: K. Joy Karnas, Cedar Crest College
“OmpA Promoter Drives RFP Expression at Different Levels Dependent on Temperature in EcN and K12 E. coli”
Alisya Kaur and Alex MacDonald, Mercer County Community College
“Enhancing Gene Expression to Optimize the Efficacy of Escherichia Coli for Probiotic Applications”
Mirian M. Lopez, Mercer County Community College
“Novel Antibiotics: Impact and Discovery”
Abby N. Work, Westfield State University
Lochiel
Crossroads II: Criminal Justice and Civic Engagement
Moderator: George Branch-Trevathan, Thiel College
“Exploring Civic Engagement: The Impact of Criminal History, Optimism, and Financial Challenges”
Brooke Griffith, Thiel College
“The Criminal Justice System and Neurodiverse Youth: Addressing Gaps and Envisioning Reform”
Anne Marceus, Monroe University
“The Decline in Support for the Death Penalty: Why Is It Occuring, and How Do Young Adults Affect Capital Punishment’s Future?”
Jacob Walsh, Thiel College
Roundtable Presentations
***All roundtable presentations are in the Pennsylvania Ballroom***
Moderator: Caitlin Grant, Post University
Interdisciplinarity in Business and Economics
“A Crossroads for Climate Change: Is the Doughnut Model the Solution for the Future”
Fiorella Merriman-Mendez, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“Leveraging Personal Finance Principles for Entrepreneurial Success”
Xavier Rubelmann, Post University
“Earn While You Learn: Building the Future of Teaching”
Ryan Caley and Izabella Tavarez , New Jersey City University
Conversations About Self Discovery and Identity
“From Grief to Acceptance: Disabled Young Adults & the Transformation of Self”
Marshall Anderson, Community College of Allegheny County
“Family Structure's Influence on Perspectives of Future Relationships”
Ashley Pearson, Monroe University
“The Overlap of Clinical Symptoms in Children and Adolescents with Co-Occurring Gender Dysphoria and Autism Spectrum Disorder”
Aaron Smart, Westfield State University
“The Effect of Parental Behaviors on Emerging Adults”
Carolena Vicale, Adelphi University
Exchanges on Civic Engagement, Political Discourse, and Solving Social Issues
“The Politics of Historic Preservation in Lancaster County: The Crossroads of Experiential Learning, Discursive Teaching, Recursive Writing, and Producing Scholarship Contributing to Civic Engagement”
Ava Barton, David Bray, Jordyn Dutko, Natalie M. Frohnhoefer, Shawn Gipe and Hudson Peck, Elizabethtown College
“How Civil Protests Influence Freedom of Speech”
Ellie Mafera, Post University
“Civic Engagement at the Crossroads: Exploring Communication Strategies in Conflict Resolution”
Kelvin Mizhquiri Aucay, Post University
“Youth for the Leaders of Today, Not Tomorrow: A Youth-Driven Advocacy Approach to Substance Abuse”
Rithika Padyala, Thomas Jefferson University
strand descriptions
Session 4
4:15 PM to 5:30 PM
Breakout ROoms
Academic Panel Presentations
Penn Harris A
Health, Hunger, and Education: Addressing Social and Historical Disparities
Moderator: Sarah Roe, Southern Connecticut State University
“Bridging the Gap: How Civic Engagement Drives Health Equity and Reduces Health Disparities”
Ashley Beltran and Bianca De la Cruz, Mercy University
“The Hunger Crisis in America: Ways We Can Improve It For Others”
Emily Carlson, University of New Hampshire
“Navigating the Crossroads: Mitigating the Impact of Socioeconomic Status on College Retention and Graduation”
Noor Hussain, Cedar Crest College
“Inherited Lessons: The Colonial Footprint in Education”
Ayla Corcoran, Westfield State University
Penn Harris B
Women in History and Culture
Moderator: Tanya Radford, Dominican University New York
“Mary Todd Lincoln—A Life and Legacy”
Olivia Collumb, Northampton Community College
“Demonization of Divination: Tarot in Culture vs Media”
Finch Kluegel, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“At the Crossroads: The Importance of Women in Sports Through Sports Illustrated Covers”
Maya Agosti, SUNY Oswego
Harrisburger A
Civil Disobedience and Literary Activism
Moderator: Jessica McCort, Point Part University
“'Such a Kernel Within Myself: Audre Lorde as Foundational Text to Understand the Erotic Woman in Literature'”
AJ de la Cruz, Point Park University
“Civil Disobedience in the Classroom: The Literary Effect of Thoreau”
Layla King, West Chester University
“Within the Woman Writer: Discussing Dialogism, Adrienne Rich, and the Debate of Deconstructionist Prose”
Cloe Loosz, Point Park University
“At the Crossroads of Tradition and Transformation: Examining Gender Ideals from Frankenstein and Jane Eyre in Contemporary Culture”
Charlotte Hosek, Point Park University
Harrisburger B
Improving Human Performance, Well-Being, and Development
Moderator: Sheila Gross, Thiel College
“Physiological Responses to Bouts of Rowing at Various Intensities in Resistance Trained Males”
William H. Downey, University of Hartford
“The Ball is in Your CORT: The Impacts of Canine Assisted Therapy on Salivary Cortisol Levels of High School Students”
Christiana Rose Kohlroser and Madison DeRubis, Sacred Heart University
“Injury Rates Among Collegiate Dancers: Developing an Optimistic Approach for Treatment and Prevention”
Maegen S. Steiner, Point Park University
“Beyond the Screen: Exploring the Neurodevelopmental Consequences of Digital Technology on Adolescents”
Olivia Suter, Sacred Heart University
Leland
Crossroads III: Identity, Ethics, and Activism
Moderator: Jeff Strickland, Montclair State University
“Selective Self-Autonomy: The Weaponization of Bioethics Against the Black Body”
Isabella Westervelt, William Paterson University
“The Protection of Local Migrant Rights and Well-Being: Comparing Successes, Challenges, and Recommendations from Baltimore and Philadelphia’s Government and Nonprofit Sectors”
Nikki Golemboski, Towson University
“Exploring LGBTQ+ Rights: The Crossroads Between Legislation and Culture”
Gabriela Troya, Monroe University
“The Rise of Youth Climate Activism and Its Global Impact: Civic Engagement at a Crossroads in Action”
Wiffac Foy and Leshly Lopez Mendez, Monroe University
Brady
Contemporary Issues in Healthcare
Moderator: Kate Kagan, Russell Sage College
“Supporting Gender Diversity: A Resource for Emerging Mental Health Professionals”
Harley Halsey, Frederick Community College
“Guatemala's Healthcare System at a Crossroads”
Isabella Centeno, Frederick Community College
“The Crossroads Between Patient Care and Caregiver Needs: How Society is Dealing with Alzheimer's Disease”
Laura Blanco, Cedar Crest College
“Long Covid and Disability Justice”
Rhheaa Mehta, University of Pittsburgh
Roundtable Presentations
***All roundtable presentations are in the Pennsylvania Ballroom***
Moderator: Srujana Kanjula, Community College of Allegheny County
Conversations at the Crossroads of Medicine and Health
“Emergency Medicine at the Crossroads over the Past Century”
Madison Conti, Fairleigh Dickinson University
“Civic Engagement in Medical Ethics: Patient Autonomy and Informed Consent”
Genesis Estrella, Mercy University
“Insurance: The Impact of Life Saving Care”
Autumn Frailey, Westfield State University
“The Crossroads on Medicine where Doctors and Patients Converge”
Matthew Makaus, Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus
“Dilemmas: How a Person's Psyche Affects Critical Decision-Making”
Sawyer Zimmer, West Chester University
Dialogues About Immigration and Globalization
“From Borders to Barriers: Immigration at a Turning Point”
Anastasia Dedgjonaj, Post University
“Civic Engagement in Relation to Underrepresented Communities Such as Immigrants and People of Color Affected by Gentrification”
Sachi Patel, Thomas Jefferson University
“Routes and Roots: Preserving Cultural Identity and Navigating Belonging in a Growing Urban Environment”
Shivani Shah, Thomas Jefferson University
The Crossroads of Technology and Pop Culture
“Phone Usage - The Hidden Addiction”
Alisha Polynice, Mercy University
“Taylor Swift: A Civic Engagement Mastermind”
Lindsay Rellin, Community College of Allegheny County
strand descriptions
Student GALA: The Secret Garden
8:30 PM to 11:59 PM
Pennsylvania Ballroom
Get ready for a magical night at the Secret Garden Gala! Dress to impress in formal wear and dance the night away with a live DJ, snap Insta-worthy pics at the photobooth, and enjoy delicious bite-sized hors d’oeuvres. It’s the perfect chance to celebrate, socialize, and make unforgettable memories at this exclusive honors conference event. Don’t miss out on the fun and the chance to win best dressed at the award ceremony on Sunday!
SUNDAY, MARCH 30
We will bring #NRHC2025 to a close today!
strand descriptions
NRHC Business meeting
7:30 AM to 8:30 Am
Brady
Join us as we discuss the business of our region and learn how you can become more involved with NRHC!
strand descriptions
Poster Session 2 & Breakfast
8:30 AM to 10 AM
Metropolitan ABC
(51) “Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Other Effects of Vape Aerosols on A549 Lung Cancer Cells”
Donovan August, Millersville University
(52) “The American Loneliness Epidemic: Examining the Decline of ‘Us’ in the U.S.”
Hilary Bareiss, University of Hartford
(53) “Kutztown University’s System Crossroads: Developing Check List Advising Tools to Fit Student and Faculty Needs”
Katelyn Beitz, Kutztown University
(54) “Using Wearable Sensors for Gait Analysis: Measurement Accuracy for Linear Measurements”
Evan Block, SUNY Albany
(55) “Arts and the Honors College: Investigating Perceptions and Realities”
London Brooks, Towson University
(56) “The Poor, a Voice Willfully Forgotten at the Crossroads”
Cameron Bryant, Dominican University New York
(57) “History At The Crossroads: Native American Boarding Schools”
Sicilia Campbell, Westfield State University
(58) “The Power of Music: Community Engagement and Protest Through the Ages”
Nico Canela, Farmingdale State College
(59) “High-Impact Practices at a Crossroad”
Tayler Cleveland, Point Park University
(60) “Every Body Is Beautiful”
Pacey Connor, Stevenson University
(61) “Television Portrayals and Perceptions of Nurses”
Lacey Dargenio, University of Saint Joseph
(62) “The Reality of International Research Ethics Policies in a Post-Covid World”
Madeline DeVito, State University at Oswego
(63) “Barriers to Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Survival: The Impact of Health Insurance Access Among Hispanic Women”
Jose Escobar, Mercer County Community College
(64) “Navigating AI in Higher Education: Insights from the Global AI Student Survey”
Sara Flores, Islei Amparo, and Cynthia Moreno-Pena, Montclair State University
(65) “Social-Emotional Learning and COVID-19 for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students”
Ezra Forero-Tarquino, Gallaudet University
(66) “Overturning Roe v. Wade: A Pivotal Moment in U.S. History”
Allison Griswold, Westfield State University
(67) “Developing Ribonucleic Acid Thermometers and Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Enzymatic Reactions in Plasmodium falciparum to Combat Malaria”
Andersen Herman, Salisbury University
(68) “The Importance of Racial Ethnic Socialization in Transracial Adoption”
Rose Jeffes, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
(69) “Breaking the Barriers: The Importance of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Quality Patient Care”
Autumn Jones and Cassie Lorom, Westfield State University
(70) “Starved for Perfection: Addressing the Virulent Impact of Social Media on Women”
Mia Korman, Georgian Court University
(71) “Enhancing Gene Expression to Optimize the Efficacy of Escherichia Coli for Probiotic Applications”
Mirian Lopez, Mercer County Community College
(72) “Benefits and Accessibility of Educational Programming for Informal Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia”
Julia Martocchio, University of Saint Joseph
(73) “Food Insecurity in Appalachia: Highlighting Causes & Solutions”
Trevor McDaniel, Community College of Allegheny County
(74) “Minds over Guns: The Final Solution”
Morgan McGuire, Georgian Court University
(75) “Final Girls: Surviving Until Subversion”
Kristin Moore, Community College of Allegheny County
(76) “Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles Adsorbed by Cell Lines by Single-Particle ICP-MS Methods”
Cindy Nguyen, Rowan University
(77) “Enhancing Traffic Prediction Accuracy for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence Techniques”
Amanda Olachea, Dominican University New York
(78) “Optimization of Photon Counting Computed Tomography Scanner for Novel Tantalum Contrast Agent”
Emmett Perkinson, Hudson Valley Community College
(79) “Artificial Intelligence: An Accomplice to the Death of the Humanities”
Erin Pryor, Ramapo College of New Jersey
(80) “Reimagining Healthcare and Economic Equality: The Potential of Universal Basic Income”
Morgan Ritchie, Thomas Jefferson University
(81) “Antibiotic Overuse and the Effects of TirC in Dictyostelium Edited by CRISPR-Cas9”
Daniel Sackey, Towson University
(82) “Effect of Temperature and Sulfuric Acid Concentration on Pattern Formation in BZ Chemical Reaction Systems”
Samantha Small, Elizabethtown College
(83) “Improvements in Physical Therapy Treatments for Those with Low Income, Financial Troubles, Limited Health Insurance, or Living in Rural Areas”
Alec Steffens, Dominican University New York
(84) “Matching Myths: A Comparison of Creation and Destruction Stories Across Cultures”
Amanda Stevenson, Kutztown University
(85) “The Existential Existence of Diversity in Elizabethtown College”
Kalen Tendo, Elizabethtown College
(87) “Transitional Justice for Indigenous Guatemalan Communities”
Stefanie Viera, Ramapo College of New Jersey
(88) “Berlin's Startup Revolution: Navigating Culture, Innovation, and Challenges”
Matthew Yurkunas, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania - Bloomsburg
strand descriptions
Awards Ceremony & Conference Closing
10 AM to 10:45 AM
PENNSYLVANIA Ballroom
Join us as we celebrate the awardees in the following groups:
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SEA Award Winners & Nominees
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Paper of the Year Awardees & Nominees
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Creative of the Year Awardees & Nominees
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Student of the Year Awardees & Nominees
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Outstanding Poster Awardees
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Honors Professional of the Year Awardees & Nominees
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Publications Contest Awardees & Nominees
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Student Activities Awards