presents the 4th annual
Medaille Student Research, Scholarship Creativity Day
&
APRIL 30, 2021
Medaille College is pleased to present our fourth annual Student Research, Scholarship & Creativity Day, a symposium of presentations and posters that showcase undergraduate and graduate student scholarship, research and creativity.
This event is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs and the Honors Program.
SCHEDULE 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Concurrent Session I
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Session II
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Session III
W E LCO M E A D D R E S S | D R. J U L I H I N D S Dr. Juli Hinds has been teaching at Medaille since 2016. She holds a Ph.D. in communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently a fulltime faculty member, her courses range from public speaking, communication theory, gender and communications, media seminar, introduction to film, media and culture, to radio production. Dr. Hinds also serves as the advisor to the WMCB radio station. Dr. Hinds remains committed to an engaged pedagogical teaching approach, where the focus centers on the creation of a more meaningful and holistic classroom experience. Dr. Hinds encourages students to bring their own unique experiences and knowledge to classroom discussions. Not only does this inspire a more inclusive classroom, but an environment where students can appreciate their own worth and expertise. Before her Ph.D. Hinds enjoyed a rich career on-air in radio and television. Currently, Dr. Hinds is an on-air talent for 96.1 the Breeze, a division of Townsquare Media. This position provides Dr. Hinds the unique advantage of inviting students to visit and tour the station. Additionally, the relationship Dr. Hinds shares with Townsquare Media affords Medaille communication students the opportunity to access multiple internships.
STUDENT KEYNOTE SPEAKER Harleen Bhela is an educator, student and advocate. Harleen is interested in everything to do with education and is currently completing a Master of Science in Education, which will certify her to teach between grades 1 - 6, in both New York State and the Province of Ontario. She is passionate about working with children as she believes it is important to nurture the future generations for success, both academically and emotionally. Previously, Harleen attended the University of Toronto at Scarborough (UTSC) where she received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Her time at UTSC has a major impact on her work, as she was a frequent visitor of the Doris McCarthy Gallery, which was located in the Bladen Wing of Campus. Additionally, Harleen volunteered with the Health and Wellness peer program, Party in the Right Spirit. She was also a volunteer at the UTSC’s Women’s and Trans Centre, as well as a mentor at the Peer Project in Toronto. Prior to university, Harleen was a member of the Social Justice Club at her high school, Sandalwood Heights S.S., and a frequent drama student, performing on the school stage at multiple occasions. Harleen’s work reflects her own personal experiences, which examine the complexities of life and living. While her career is geared towards working and advocating for others, her personal work is about the betterment of the self. She has been influenced by artists such as U.S. Girls, the Singh Twins and Eiichi Yamamoto.
FA C U LT Y K E Y N O T E S P E A K E R Kenyana David, MBA, is an entrepreneur, educator, student, author and community advocate. Kenyana is the founder at 81Eighteen, LLC, a boutique marketing firm specializing in email marketing. She is the creator of the Fe-Mail Marketing for Entrepreneurs (FEMME) Academy, a membership-based e-learning platform for female coaches, consultants, and advisors who want to learn how to create profitable email campaigns. Kenyana is Cornell University certified in Women’s Entrepreneurship, and HubSpot certified in email marketing, inbound, content marketing, inbound sales, inbound marketing, and frictionless sales. Kenyana is an adjunct professor at Medaille College. She teaches marketing in the Business, Management & Leadership department and critical thinking and global leadership in the Interdisciplinary Studies department. She is an alumna of the University of Phoenix – BS ‘12 and MBA ‘14. Kenyana, too, is a doctoral student in the School of Advanced Studies at the University of Phoenix and earning a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree. Kenyana is the author of It’s All About Strategy: A Workable Approach to Digital Content & Marketing, one-part advice, one-part workbook designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners decide what they want to achieve, what and how – and for whom they want to create or make content, where they want to publish content, and how they want to promote – and market content, digitally. Kenyana is the president of the National Black MBA Association, Western New York Chapter. She serves as a board of directors member at Junior Achievement, Western New York, a board of directors member at Girl Scouts, Western New York, a steering board member at SheCAN Buffalo, and a committee member at the National Association of Women Business Owners. She is a member at Toastmasters International, Larkin Leaders. Kenyana, too, is an active volunteer at Project Mona’s House, a nonprofit organization helping restore females victimized by human trafficking. Kenyana enjoys comics, film, radio, TV, theater, and video game book adaptations. She lives in Buffalo with her husband and children. kenyanadavid.com
CONCURRENT SESSION I | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM SECTION 1 | FACILITATOR: DR. COLLEEN WILKINSON Brandon Smith, Junior, Adolescent Education Student Involvement in Individualized Evaluation Program (IEP) This presentation will discuss the importance of having the student present and self-advocating in an Individualized Evaluation Program (IEP) meeting. Cheyenne DeLuca, Junior, Adolescent Education; Students with Disabilities Transition Assessment Transition assessment is an ongoing process of collecting information on the student’s strengths, needs, preferences and interests as they relate to the demands of current and future living, learning, and working environments. SECTION 2 | FACILITATOR: DR. BRIDGETTE SLAVIN Abbigail Doherty, Junior, Psychology Misunderstood and Misdiagnosed: A Comprehensive Look at the Effects Childhood Trauma Has on the Brain and Development and its Implications for Treatment This project will discuss the effects of childhood trauma on the brain and subsequent development. It will further argue for the best type of therapy available for treatment of childhood trauma. Jillian Jeziorski, Junior, Adolescent Education; Students with Disabilities Inclusion for Students with Disabilities This presentation will discuss inclusion for students with autism spectrum disorder, Down Syndrome, and cerebral palsy, and the accommodations they need in school. This presentation will outline the importance of these accommodations and how they can benefit all. Nina Marranca, Junior, Psychology and Criminal Justice Disability and Self Identity: A Symbolic Interactionist Approach to Identity and Agency This presentation will examines disability identity and agency through a symbolic interactionist approach. From traditional theorists to modern critiques and applications, this presentation focuses on the complexities of changing disability identity and what this means in today’s society.
CONCURRENT SESSION I | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM SECTION 3 | FACILITATOR: DR. JEFFREY FAUNCE Priyanka Prasad, Graduate Student, Education Engaging Literacy Centers for Primary Level Students This presentation focuses on engaging literacy centers that educators can use in their classrooms, during literacy blocks. It specifically reviews 3 types of literacy activities: domino vocabulary, partnered baseball digraph and an interactive Google Slides board game, which can all be manipulated to classroom guided reading or group novel study books. Samantha Butler, Graduate Student, Education Social Action Curriculum: Supporting Students as they Find Voice, Empowerment and Hope Through a well-planned curriculum structure, this project discusses how important it is for children to feel empowered as active, engaged and hopeful participants in their own communities. This project is a social action curriculum that aligns with NYSED and Ontario Curriculum 3rd Grade standards by combining literacy strategies, real-world connections with local organizations, and the importance of school-based social activism to support students as they learn the value of their voice. SECTION 4 | FACILITATOR: DR. DANIEL KOTZIN Jessica Elston, Junior, Communications History of Bipolar II Disorder This presentation will outline the history of Bipolar II Disorder. Nicole Gorny, Sophomore, International Studies The Evolution of Violence: King Henry I vs. Prince Harry During this presentation the evolution of violence through the times of King Henry I of England (the 11th and 12th centuries) to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (the 21st century) will be discussed. The evolution of violence that will be presented; physical violence during the times of King Henry I and emotional violence found in the form of the media during the times of Prince Harry. Courtney Kline, Senior, Accounting Strategic Analysis and the Success of The Walt Disney Company This project outlines the strategies pursued by The Walt Disney Company and how they contribute to the success of the company. Specific strategies that are analyzed in this project include The Walt Disney Company’s corporate, business, innovation, marketing, and globalization strategies.
CONCURRENT SESSION II | 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM SECTION 1 | FACILITATOR: DR. MARGUERITE MCCARTY Nthanda Longwe Pearson, Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Mental Health Among Immigrant Millennials During this presentation the struggle immigrants face with their mental health once they migrate from Africa to the United States will be discussed. Jakari Washington, Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Identifying Contributing Factors to the Low Participation Rates of African Americans in Counseling This is a proposal for study of the low participant rates of African Americans in mental health treatment. SECTION 2 | FACILITATOR: ELIZABETH KINAN Alisa Ibragimova, Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling How Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Affect Mental Health This project measures the effects of stigma, prejudice, and discrimination on mental health in the workplace and whether or not being a minority among co-workers increases the risk of being targeted by stigma, prejudice, or discrimination. Madison Ledford, Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling The Effects of Employment Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic This study examines how employment status during the COVID-19 pandemic effected the mental health of individuals. Caitlyn Weigand, Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling How Trauma Relates to Suicidality This study aims to discover if 22 different types of trauma have different correlations with suicidality. This study’s second aim is to discover if different categories of PTSD symptoms have different correlations with suicidality.
CONCURRENT SESSION II | 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM SECTION 3 | FACILITATOR: DR. COLLEEN WILKINSON Jacob Blankenship, Junior, Adolescent Education Cultural Bias Discussion During this presentation problems that students with disabilities face with cultural bias in their classrooms will be discussed. Jillian Jeziorski, Junior, Adolescent Education; Students with Disabilities Writing/Written Language Assessment This presentation will show the importance of written assessment for students with disabilities. Christopher Newton, Junior, Adolescent Education; Students with Disabilities Behavioral Assessment During this presentation behavioral assessment in the classroom and ways to implement it will be discussed. SECTION 4 | FACILITATOR: THOMAS ORRANGE Kassidy Gaik, Junior, Biology and Veterinary Technology Pet Obesity This presentation highlights the importance of pet obesity, and the relationship it has on human obesity. Problem-solving aspects will also be discussed. Joanna Long, Junior, Veterinary Technology Euthanasia: Mental Health Effects of Veterinary Professionals During this presentation, the negative effects on veterinary professionals’ mental health caused by performing euthanasia will be discussed. Rebecca Lesser, Senior, Biology Biology 422 Lab: A Secret Story Written in Spots Using a large sample size of Spotted Salamander photography, the Biology 422 Lab conducted a statistical analysis on the individual spots from 10 sections of the body of each Spotted Salamander. The results of this analysis offered important information as to the genetic components and environmental factors that contribute to the distribution patterns of the individual spots that occur on Spotted Salamanders.
CONCURRENT SESSION III | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM SECTION 1 | FACILITATOR: DR. MARGUERITE MCCARTY Brittany McNeil, Graduate Student Clinical Mental Health Counseling High Maternal Mortality Rate of Black Women and Discrimination Within the Healthcare System This presentation will discuss the research found to support that women of color; specifically Black women, are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than White women due to lack of resources, knowledge, and cultural competency in the healthcare system. Tashae Williams, Graduate Student Clinical Mental Health Counseling The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Attitudes Towards Mental Health Treatment Assessing the differences in attitudes towards mental health and subsequent treatment from people who have both low and high socioeconomic statuses. SECTION 2 | FACILITATOR: DR. KAITLIN R. AHERN Byanca Temmons-Barnwell, Junior, International Studies Fatal Fashions: Does Beauty Equal Pain A look throughout history at some of the most deadliest fashion trends. From the medieval to the early 20th Century. Kyla Hobbs, Junior, English African American Literature: Redefining Black Literary Authenticity This presentation will explore and expound upon the argument that Black literature should be understood as a multidimensional category, rather than unidimensional one. Olivia Anderson, Sophomore, International Studies U.S. Immigration Laws of the Past and Their Impact Today This presentation will examine the past immigration policies of the United States, as well as the present policies. It will examine how past immigration laws have impacted immigration law today.
CONCURRENT SESSION III | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM SECTION 3 | FACILITATOR: DR. COLLEEN WILKINSON Anthony DeJoseph, Junior, Adolescent Education Math Assessment I will be describing math assessment in the classroom. I will discuss different approaches and styles you can take to assess math. Aries McGrath, Junior, Adolescent Education Reading Assessments in Schools Reading assessments allow educators to make inferences about students’ needs and strengths in the classroom. In order for educators to properly cater to their students, it is essential for them to understand the importance of carrying out reading assessments with their students along with different ways in which they can conduct an assessment. SECTION 4 | FACILITATOR: THOMAS ORRANGE Amanda Davis, Junior, Psychology PTSD in Veterans and the Risk of Suicide A dissertation exploring the causes, symptoms and effects of PTSD in veterans, with a focus on the risks of suicide. Nina Marranca, Junior, Psychology and Criminal Justice Moving to Recovery: An Examination of the Value of Exercise in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders As the most common mental health disorder in the United States, anxiety disorders affect the lives of millions of Americans, many of whom forego treatment, despite anxiety treatments being quite effective at minimizing and managing symptoms. This presentation will examine exercise through the lens of anxiety treatment by reviewing current research and exploring implications for those living with anxiety disorders and the clinical mental health realm as a whole. Claire Hildebrand, Junior, Biology Opioid Epidemic: Pain Management and Prescribing Opioids Due to the opioid epidemic, this presentation will highlight key elements causing the opioid crisis. This presentation will also emphasize the studies and claims proving that pain can be managed without prescribing opioids, but rather through trainings and other considerations provided by healthcare workers.
D I S P L AY S O F C R E AT I V E W O R K Kaitlyn Alguire, Tia Mangel, Thelma Outlaw and Nicolette Reczek Supporting Teague in the Elementary Classroom The class reviewed individual cases of students with disabilities. Group will present supports needed to help the student with disabilities succeed in the classroom. Grant Bickham, Sarah Burns and Sierra Craig Supporting Marcus in the Adolescent Classroom The class reviewed individual cases of students with disabilities. Group will present supports needed to help the student with disabilities succeed in the classroom. Emily Cecere, Shawna Escabi, Bryanna Payne and Kathryn Yurek Supporting Ida in The Elementary Classroom The class reviewed individual cases of students with disabilities. Group will present supports needed to help the student with disabilities succeed in the classroom. Luyen Phan, Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Parental Depression and its Effects This presentation will discuss the impact parents’ depression has on the environment they create for their child/children. Kylie Tolsma, Freshman, Veterinary Technology Memories: Reflective Photo Book A visual exploration of loss and memories in my life. Dayna Veloski, Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Engagement in Dating Apps and Depression Through a variety of research this presentation will examine whether one’s level of engagement in dating apps impacts symptoms of depression. Ashley Weiskopff, Junior, Early Childhood/Childhood Education The Need for Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in All Schools During this presentation the benefits of trauma-informed pedagogy within the classroom will be discussed. Strategies on how to implement trauma-informed pedagogy in the classroom will be addressed, as well as implications that can develop if not implemented correctly.
WITH SPECIAL THANKS Much appreciation to the faculty session chairs, and to the following faculty and staff who planned and organized the event: Michelle Bogdan Ray Drechsel Kenya Hobbs Dr. Bridgette Slavin Hannah Taylor
MISSION The mission of Medaille College is to educate and develop empowered individuals for academic achievement, career success and civic engagement, thereby contributing to a healthy, diverse democracy.
VISION Medaille College will be known as a leader in providing inspiration and opportunity for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community by supporting academic development, positive personal transformation and a strong sense of civic-mindedness.