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NRHC 2025

March 27-30

Civic Engagement

at the Crossroads

Draft Program (1.28.25)

Conference-At-a-Glance

Conference At-A-Glance
 

NRHC2025 Conference at a Glance (8.5 x 11 in) (1).png
Thursday, March 27

Thursday, March 27

Join us as we kick-off #NRHC2025!

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OPENING EVENT
7 PM to 8:30 PM
TBA

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: Game Night
8:30 PM to 10 PM
Metropolitan ABC

More details to come. 

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FACULTY/STAFF Event: Social Hour
8:30 PM to 10 PM
Penn Harris AB

Join us to meet and talk with other Honors directors and professional staff.

Friday March 28
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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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Performing Arts & Film Showcase
3:30 PM to 5 PM
Pennsylvania Ballroom

"Words of Freedom: Poetry as Activism"

Tyrese Fletcher-Hewlett, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University

 

"How Presidential Campaigns Leverage Pop Culture for Impact"

KateLynn Garden, Camden County College

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NRHC Expo & Student Art Gallery
5 PM to 6:30 PM
Metropolitan ABC

NRHC Expo Tables

TBA

Art Gallery Presentations

“Sustainable Fashion Materials”

Grace Maldonado, SUNY Buffalo 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 Sloan, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Monument Project, which preserves, conserves, and rededicates historic and cultural monuments throughout the state.

Lenwood (Leni) Sloan serves as 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),

 

In addition, 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.

 

Two Roads Diverge, a film about their collaboration premiered October 28-29, 2024 at New York’s Irish Repertory Theater

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Student Event: Karaoke Night
9 PM to 11:30 PM
Metropolitan ABC

More details to come. 

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

 

“Critical Multicultural Education at the Crossroads of Democracy”

Andrew Hafner, Westfield State 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

 

Susquehanna

The Environment, Housing Infrastructure, and Sports

 

“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

 

Delaware

Rethinking Educational Frameworks: Global Perspectives, Equity, and Innovation

“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

“Testing the Crossroads of Democracy”
Nova Smith, Westfield State 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

 

 

Gettysburg

Race, Activism, and Political Leadership

 

“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 Intersection of Political Leadership and Diversity: Examining Women of Color”

Yaha Kouadio, Monroe University

 

“The Echo of Progress: Confronting Gender and Racial Disparities in Employment Law for Black Women”

Gabrielle Williams, Stevenson University


 

Lancaster

LGBTQIA2S+ Community Resilience

 

“Brunches, Bingos, and Beatniks: Drag Performers as Creators of Resistance Since 2009”

Connor Dapp, West Chester University

 

“What Obstacles do Transgender Individuals Encounter in Accessing Gender-Affirming Healthcare While Incarcerated in U.S. Prisons?”

Adriana Flores, Mercy 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

 

“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


Penn Harris A

The Crossroads of Communication: Movies, Social Media, Marketing, and Marketing

 

“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, Sarah Lagan, Stephanie Mullan, Isabella Schaefer, and Christina Susi,  Molloy University


 

 

Penn Harris B

Crossroads I: Identity and Culture

 

“The Increased Risk of Suicide for Transnational Adoptees: An Intersectional Study of Cultural Identities, Race, and Ethnicity”

Elisabeth Small, Monroe Community College

 

“Facing an Academic Crossroads: How Mixed Methods Research Transformed a Passionate Literature Review for International Adoptee Advocacy into a Fruitful IRB Approved Study”

Svetlana Sandoval, Cuyahoga 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


 

Harrisburger A

Advances in Experimental Psychology

 

“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

 

“Dilemmas: How a Person's Psyche effects Critical Decision-Making”

Sawyer Zimmer, West Chester University


 

 

Harrisburger B

Education and Leadership in the Modern Era/Identity and Civic Engagement: Creative Explorations 

 

“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

 

“Roots & Routes: Interwoven Identities”

Amanda Pillati, Saint Elizabeth University

 

“Diversity in Discovery: Inclusion of Women in Science Classrooms”

Grace Romanowski, Fairleigh Dickinson University 

 

Roundtable Presentations

***All roundtable presentations are in Metropolitan ABC***

 

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, 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

 

Susquehanna
Creative Representations in Literature, Cinema, and The Arts

“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, Nina Sadowski Smith, Katharine Yeargin, Angelo Domingo, Ruri Kodama, Emma McGinn, Molloy University

Delaware
Economics, Insurance, and Aviation

“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

“Sustainable Aviation”
Ava Reich, Westfield State University

 

Gettysburg
The Power of Progress: Nanotechnology, AI, and Bridging the Digital Divide

“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 

 

 

Lancaster
Local Histories

“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

 

“What’s Cooking at Montclair State? Unpacking Historical Recipes”
Steffi Dippold, Ian Horn, Colleen Sullivan, Victoria Smith , Montclair 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 Crossroads of Media and Politics

 

“Monetizing Division: How Social Media Profits from Political Division”
Sofia Santana, Saint Elizabeth University

“The Crossroads Between Social Media and Civic Engagement—Benefits and Consequences”
Felicity Stuart, Monroe University


Penn Harris A
Equitable Language: Translations, Representations, and Education

 

“Looking for New Approaches for Literary Translations: Using Intersections in Current Methods to Develop a Communicative Translation of Ancient Manuscripts and Modern Literature”
Andy Takagi Rojas, William Paterson 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

 

“Reapproaching the Crossroads of Speech and Writing: On the Necessity of Linguistic Training in Cultivating Language Equity in the Classroom”
Dirk Wynn, Chatham University

 


Penn Harris B
Smarter Healthcare Through AI

“Machine Learning-Enhanced Estimation of Proton Stopping Power in Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for Pediatric Cancer Therapy”
Roya W. Parsa, Adelphia 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

 


Harrisburger A
Health Care Equity and Access


“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

 


Harrisburger B
Advances in Mental Health


“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 Metropolitan ABC***

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

“Suicide Patterns at the Crossroads of History”
Jenna Hindeleh, Fairleigh Dickinson University    

“Civic Engagement: The Turning Point of Tackling Waste Management and Food Security”
Christina Freeman, New Jersey City 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 

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Poster Session 1
1:15 PM to 2:30 PM
Pennsylvania Ballroom

“CRISPR/Cas9 Knockout of TirB: Discovering New Pathways in Innate Immune Signaling”

Theresa Abalum and Michelle Snyder, Towson University

“The Importance of ASL Literature and Literature Translations for Equity in Literacy”

Kailee Bates, Gallaudet University

 

“The Misconceptions of Christian Missionary Work, and How it Actually Brings about Good”

Jack Bleakney, Westfield State University

 

“Cultivating Community Leaders: Practical Strategies for Student Engagement in the Writing Classroom”

Courtney Bridges, West Chester University

 

“Examining How a Lack of Education on Mental Health Impacts Academic Success”

Connor Brown, Westfield State University

 

“Immunotherapies in Cancer: Revolutionizing and Advancing Cancer Immunotherapies at the Crossroads”

Elizabeth Buppert, Salisbury University

"Strengthening Stress Coping Skills: Outcomes of an Honors College Wellness Retreat"

Alexandra Caldwell, Slippery Rock University

 

“A Crossroads of Healthcare: Scottish Physician Associates”

Braedon Campbell and Brook Harlowe, Commonwealth University - Lock Haven

 

“Shifting from Orphanages to Foster Care for Ethical Child Welfare”

Rebecca Carey, Annaleah Titone, Joanna Davis, and Aiden Watson, Molloy University

“Evaluating the Crossroads of Urban and Rural Communities Across the United States”

Bronlyn Celatka, Westfield State University

 

“Do Low HDI States Foster Environments Conducive to Radicalization?”

Leah Collidge, Towson University

 

“Determination of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma (multiple species) prevalence in Amblyomma americanum ticks collected in central Pennsylvania”

Larissa Cooper and Alyssa Roadcap, Shippensburg University

 

“Physical Ableism and Physical Education”

Kayla Davis, Westfield State University

 

“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

 

“Unveiling Lingering Inequity: Addressing Healthcare Disparities Within U.S. Indigenous Communities”

Lily Dufresne, Westfield State University

 

“Creating Community Through Murals”

Emily Eisenhard, Northampton Community College

 

“Development of a Scale Measuring Trust Among Teammates in Competitive Situations”

Friedrich Feldrappe, University of Saint Joseph 

 

“How Our Prejudice Affect Schooling Systems”

Kyra Floyd, Westfield State University

 

“Assessing Awareness Regarding Mental Health Resources Among College Students in Hartford and West Hartford, CT”

Liangie Garcia, University of Saint Joseph

 

“Burnout among Clinical Pharmacists: The Crossroads of Work Culture and Personal Health”

Sloane Gould, Salisbury University

“Creating a New DNA Construct for Overexpression of a Caspase-3-like Gene from the Florida Red Tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis”

Antonio Guarino and Emily Monroe, William Paterson University

 

“Ship ANCHORED: A Case Study on Teaching with Augmented Communication Devices”

Casey Harper, Shippensburg University

 

“Higher Education’s Paywall: The Impact of Privatized Academic Resources on Students”

Alexis Hayes, Community College of Allegheny County

 

“Health Inequity and Mental Trauma Among Palestinians: Addressing Disparities Amid Conflict”

Duaa Imran, Mercy University

 

“Medicated or Affiliated: How Does Cannabis Affect College Students?”

Laniya Jones, Community College of Allegheny County

 

“Health and Healing at the Crossroads: Building Stronger Communities through Civic Engagement”

Chashman Khan, Mercy University

 

“Kicking with Probability: Using Match Data to Maximize Shooting Probability Among Tactical Formations in Men’s Professional Soccer”

Aaron Kolaric, Shippensburg University

 

“Will it Cleave? How Lipopolysaccharide Structures Affect Complement Activation and Contribute to Sepsis Deaths”

Rachel Kramer, Mehnaz Falguni, Grace Igbinosun, Daniah Moultrie, and Erin Harberts, Towson University

 

“International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Assessments of Photosynthetic Sacoglossan Sea Slug Species”

Allison Lentz, Kutztown University

 

“Cut & Paste: The Power of Visual Imagery in Zine Culture from the 1960s to Today”

Amber Lyons, Westfield State University

“Implementing A2L Refrigerants: The Newest Crossroad of the HVAC Industry”

Owen Mathieu, Westfield State University

 

“Bounded Suboptimal Beam Search”

Paige McAfee, Devin Thomas, and Wheeler Ruml, University of New Hampshire

 

“Detecting AI-Generated Content in Student Work: Preserving Academic Integrity in the Age of Generative AI”

Lindsey McGovern, Salem State University

 

“Is Love Addiction Associated with Personality Disorders and Trauma?”

Aani Mehta and Lawrence Josephs, Adelphi University

 

“Defying Gender Boundaries: Analyzing Sexism, Stereotypes, and Social Expectations in Modern Society”

Sara Money, Westfield State University

 

“Investigating Potential Transcriptional Regulators of Cilia Assembly and Function in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii”

Morelia Morel Diaz and Melanie Zimmermann, Salem State University

 

“Rural Radicalism: The Role of the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus in the Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights”

Bryanna Nase, Millersville University

 

“An Analytical Study of the Challenges Faced by Underprivileged Communities in New Jersey: Insights from Online Content”

Tina Nosrati and Arion Cheong, Ramapo College of New Jersey

 

“Impact of Affluence and Access to Nature Education in Central Massachusetts”

Molly O'Shea, Westfield State University

 

“Predicting Air Quality and Public Health Impacts: A Machine Learning Approach to Understanding Pollution and Meteorological Factors in New Jersey”

Paula Perez Portero, Figen Suchanek, and Rithvik Dhanpal,  Bloomfield College of Montclair State University

 

“participatory budgeting”

Sarai plaza, mercy university

 

“Connecting Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Partnerships and Cultural Exchange”

Karen Pujols, Thomas Jefferson University

 

“Casinos of Indigenous Tribes and Their History”

Sophia Rebenciuc, Westfield State University

 

“Insurance Coverage: The Impact on Life Saving Care”

Hillary Sackett-Taylor and Autumn R. Frailey, Westfield State University

 

“Data Literacy in Generation Z: Understanding of Data Privacy and Security Based on Access to Technology”

Murana Sheriff, Monroe University

 

“The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on School Funding and Educational Equity”

Olivia Stafford, Westfield State University

 

“Crossroads for Native American Nations' Sovereignty”

Lia Steskla, Westfield State University

 

“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

 

“Measuring Social Class Inequities among College Students and Individual Psychological Comfort through a Podcast Lens”

Austin Sullivan, Westfield State University

 

“Missing Children and Unsolved Cases: The Crossroads of Despair and Hope”

Abigail Tiburcio, Westfield State University

 

“The Hazards of Misinformation”

Kenia Maldonado Santos, Felician University

 

“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

“The Culture of Mental Health on College Campuses: The Impact of Technology on Student Wellness”

Shuwanna Williams, Monroe University

 

“Investigating Potential Transcriptional Regulators of Cilia function in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii”

Melanie Zimmermann, Salem State University

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Session 3
2:45 PM to 4 PM 
Breakout Rooms

Academic Panel Presentations

 

Susquehanna

Innovations and Sustainability in Education

“Stepping Beyond Borders: Science Education in the Heart of the Amazon”
Grace Fontoura, Fairleigh Dickinson University

“At a Crossroad: Ecological Sustainability on Frederick Community College’s Campus”
Calvin Mandes, Frederick Community College

“Books for Bright Futures: Oceanside Initiative”
audrey Michlig, Francesca Giammarino, Emily Goldberg, Jenna Flynn, Molloy University

 

Delaware

History and Politics of the Global South

 

“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


 

Gettysburg

Money Matters: Diverse Perspectives on Wealth and Financial Policy

“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

 

“Unlocking Economic Wealth: How Risk Attitudes and Different Sources of Money Impact Investment Decision-Making”

Nathaniel Lawlor, Westfield State University

 

“Equally Accounted: Civic Engagement Through Inclusive Financial Empowerment”

Kylar Maldonado, University of Hartford


 

Lancaster

Political Discourse on Human Rights

 

“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


 

Leland

Humanity, Nature, and Technology at the Crossroads

“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


 

Penn Harris A

Exploring and understanding biological and disease-related mechanisms

“Race Correction with Pulmonary Function Testing”

Peyton A. Diaz, William Paterson University

 

“Metastasis in Reference to Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and the Passive Dissemination of Inflammatory Breast Cancer”

Chimnecherem C. Obiadazie and Manpreet Sikka, Rowan University

 

“The NLRP3 Enigma: Deciphering the Molecular Mechanisms of Systemic Inflammation”

Diya Telwala, Adelphi University


 

Penn Harris B

Civic Engagement and Advocacy on the College Campus

“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


 

 

Harrisburger A

Looking toward the future of antimicrobial therapy

 

“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


Harrisburger B

Crossroads II: Criminal Justice and Civic Engagement

“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

 

“Navigating the Crossroads of Justice: Insights from Comparative Criminal Justice Systems”

Tommy LaSpada, Westfield State University



 

 

Roundtable Presentations

***All roundtable presentations are in Metropolitan ABC***

 

The Importance Substance Abuse: Discussing Solutions

 

“Youth for the leaders of today, not tomorrow: A youth-driven advocacy approach to substance abuse”

Rithika Padyala, Thomas Jefferson University

 

“A Path Towards Change: Battling the Opioid Epidemic”

Mehrine Whab, Fairleigh Dickinson 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 and Political Discourse  

“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

 

“Engagement in American Democracy”

Brooke Larsen, Post University

 

“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

strand descriptions

Session 4
4:15 PM to 5:30 PM
Breakout ROoms 

Academic Panel Presentations

 

Susquehanna

Health, Hunger, and Education: Addressing Social and Historical Disparities

 

“Bridging the Gap: How Civic Engagement Drives Health Equity and Reduces Health Disparities”

Melissa Barresi, Ashley Beltran, 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 



Delaware

Women in History and Culture

 

“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

 

Gettysburg

Civil Disobedience and Literary Activism

“Unmasking the Taboo: Literature that Challenges”

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


 

Lancaster

Improving human performance, well-being, and development

“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

The Impact of Human Activity on the Environment

“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


 

Penn Harris A

Crossroads III: Identity, Ethics, and Activism

 

“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


Harrisburger A

Contemporary Issues in Healthcare

 

“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 Metropolitan ABC***

 

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

 

Dialogues About Immigration and Globalization

 

“From Borders to Barriers: Immigration at a Turning Point”

Anastasia Dedgjonaj, Post University

 

“The Intersections of US Empire: MINUSTAH, GILEE, and AFRICOM”

Kieran Gorman, Community College of Allegheny County

 

“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

 

“Influencers as Civic Agents: Shaping Consumer Choices in Wellness, Self-Image, and Responsible Consumption”

Charlize Prestianni Jackson, 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

More details to come on this amazing student event to celebrate #NRHC2025!

Breakfast and Idea Exchange
Session 1
Session 2
Presidential Luncheon
Poster Session 1
Session 3
Session 4
Saturday March 29
Student Gala
Lenwood Sloan

Above: Lenwood Sloan

fgr.png

Above: Frank Grumbine

Sunday March 30

SUNDAY, MARCH 30
We will bring #NRHC2025 to a close today!

strand descriptions

Poster Session 2
8:30 AM to 10 AM
Harrisburg Corridor & Ballroom

“Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Other Effects of Vape Aerosols on A549 Lung Cancer Cells”

Donovan August, Millersville University

 

“The American Loneliness Epidemic: Examining the Decline of ‘Us’ in the U.S.”

Hilary Bareiss, University of Hartford

 

“Kutztown University’s System Crossroads: Developing Check List Advising Tools to Fit Student and Faculty Needs”

Katelyn Beitz, Kutztown University

 

“Using Wearable Sensors for Gait Analysis: Measurement Accuracy for Linear Measurements”

Evan Block and John Polk, SUNY Albany

 

“Arts and the Honors College: Investigating Perceptions and Realities”

London Brooks, Towson University

 

“The Poor, a Voice Willfully Forgotten at the Crossroads”

Cameron Bryant, Dominican University New York

 

“History At The Crossroads: Native American Boarding Schools”

Sicilia Campbell, Westfield State University

 

“The Power of Music: Community Engagement and Protest Through the Ages”

Nico Canela, farmingdale state college

“High-Impact Practices at a Crossroad”

Tayler Cleveland, Point Park University

 

“Every Body Is Beautiful”

Pacey Connor, Stevenson University

 

“Television Portrayals and Perceptions of Nurses”

Lacey Dargenio, University of Saint Joseph

 

“FirePower, a 3D adventure video game”

Kaden DeFazio, Community College of Allegheny County


“International IRB Protocol for Social Science Remote Research”

Madeline DeVito, State University at Oswego

 

“Effect of Microgravity on the Enzymatic Degradation of Polyurethane by Penicillium Chrysogenum”

Faith Dunn, Community College of Allegheny County

 

“Barriers to Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Survival: The Impact of Health Insurance Access Among Hispanic Women”

Jose Escobar, Mercer County Community College

 

“Navigating AI in Higher Education: Insights from the Global AI Student Survey”

Sara Flores, Islei Amparo, and Cynthia Moreno-Pena, Montclair State University

 

“Social-Emotional Learning and COVID-19 for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students”

Ezra Forero-Tarquino, Gallaudet University

 

“Technology Companies at the Crossroads of Innovation: How Successful Initial Public Offerings Facilitate Societal Impact”

Anuj Ghumatkar, Salisbury University

 

“Overturning Roe v. Wade: A Pivotal Moment in U.S. History”

Allison Griswold, Westfield State University

 

“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

 

“Developing Ribonucleic Acid Thermometers and Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Enzymatic Reactions in Plasmodium falciparum​ to Combat Malaria”

Andersen Herman, Salisbury University

 

“The Importance of Racial Ethnic Socialization in Transracial Adoption”

Rose Jeffes, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

 

“Breaking the Barriers: The Importance of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Quality Patient Care”

Autumn Jones and Cassie Lorom, Westfield State University

 

“The Road to Medicine: Peer Mentorship at West Chester University”

Allison Koehle, West Chester University

 

“Starved for Perfection: Addressing the Virulent Impact of Social Media on Women”

Mia Korman, Georgian Court University

 

“Understanding Dreams Through the Convergence of Psychological Theories”

Carina LaRocca, Fairleigh Dickinson University

 

“Enhancing Gene Expression to Optimize the Effiicacy of Escherichia Coli for Probiotic Applications”

Mirian Lopez, Mercer County Community College

 

“Benefits and Accessibility of Educational Programming for Informal Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia”

Julia Martocchio, University of Saint Joseph

 

“Shifting Perspectives: Decolonizing K-12 Curricula for Equity and Student Engagement”

Kiara Matos Luna, Westfield State University

 

“Food Insecurity in Appalachia: Highlighting Causes & Solutions”

Trevor McDaniel, Community College of Allegheny County

 

“Minds over Guns: The Final Solution”

Morgan McGuire, Georgian Court University

“Final Girls: Surviving Until Subversion”

Kristin Moore, Community College of Allegheny County

 

“Childhood trauma in first to preschool classrooms and how to effectively help children”

Amelia Moro, Westfield State University

 

“Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles Adsorbed by Cell Lines by Single-Particle ICP-MS Methods”

Cindy Nguyen, Rowan University

 

“Enhancing Traffic Prediction Accuracy for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence Techniques”

Amanda Olachea, Dominican University New York

 

“Representation In Curriculum: The Importance of Seeing Yourself”

Mollie pacheco, Westfield State University

 

“Optimization of Photon Counting Computed Tomography Scanner for Novel Tantalum Contrast Agent”

Emmett Perkinson, Hudson Valley Community College

 

“Artificial Intelligence: An Accomplice to the Death of the Humanities”

Erin Pryor, Ramapo College of New Jersey

 

“Can I Step Over It? The Role of Eye Height in Predicting Stepping Ability”

Numa Quraishi, Ramapo College of New Jersey

 

“Reimagining Healthcare and Economic Equality: The Potential of Universal Basic Income”

Morgan Ritchie, Thomas Jefferson University

 

“Antibiotic Overuse and the Effects of TirC in Dictyostelium edited by CRISPR-Cas9”

Daniel Sackey and Michelle Snyder, Towson University

 

“Effect of Temperature and Sulfuric Acid Concentration on Pattern Formation in BZ Chemical Reaction Systems”

Samantha Small, Elizabethtown College

 

“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

 

“Matching Myths: A Comparison of Creation and Destruction Stories Across Cultures”

Amanda Stevenson, Kutztown University

 

“Breaking The Loop: The Never Ending Cycle of Underfunding and Inadequate Education”

Kathleen Sullivan, Westfield State University

“The Existential Existence of Diversity in Elizabethtown College”

Kalen Tendo, Elizabethtown College

 

“Low-Intensity Fires Impacting Soil Bacterial Population Diversity”

Wallace Tonks, Russell Sage College

 

“Transitional Justice for Indigenous Guatemalan Communities”

Stefanie Viera, Ramapo College of New Jersey

 

“The Real Deal about Fast Fashion”

Taliyah Williams, Mercy University

 

“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
Harrisburg Ballroom

Join us as we celebrate the awardees in the following groups:

  • SEA Award Winners & Nominees

  • Paper of the Year Awardees & Nominees

  • Creative of the Year Awardees& Nominees

  • Student of the Year Awardees & Nominees

  • Honors Professional of the Year Awardees & Nominees

  • Publications Contest Awardees & Nominees

  • Student Activities Awards 

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