The conference highlighted the depth of engagement within Catawba’s psychology program, with students and faculty presenting on topics ranging from burnout and bias to language, emotion, and child discipline. Among the highlights was a CEPO/Psi Chi Prize-winning presentation, “Differential Motivations in Language Use in Men’s Instagram Posts,” presented by Lilly Henriksen, Jonathan Cortes, and Dr. Sheila Brownlow.
In addition to student research success, Catawba faculty contributed to the academic program through presentations and leadership roles. Faculty members served on the conference program committee, reflecting their professional involvement and commitment to the broader psychology field. Dr. Aisha Adams, associate professor of psychology, chaired a Psi Chi panel session on graduate school preparation, and Dr. Sheila Brownlow, professor of psychology, presided over multiple paper sessions.
“This conference experience reflects the strength of our Psychology Department and the meaningful opportunities our students have to engage in original research and professional scholarship,” said Dr. Jennifer Klebaur, chair of Psychology and associate professor of psychology. “We are proud of the way our students and faculty represented Catawba through both the quality of their work and their active participation in the profession.”
Faculty presentations in the session Innovative Class Activities and Assignments for Undergraduate Students included:
- Dr. Aisha Adams — Demonstrating the Placebo Effect in College Students
- Dr. Diana Riser — Are You Ageist? An Activity for Revealing Implicit Biases
- Dr. Jennifer Klebaur — Student Reflection as a Tool for Enhancing Engagement and Instructional Design
Adams also served as chair for the Psi Chi panel session, Tips for Getting Into Graduate School.
Catawba students and faculty also presented peer-reviewed research posters, including:
- Appropriateness of Corporal Punishment to Boy and Girl Children
Ryleigh Miller, Kaitlyn Vitale, Lesly Benitez Duarte, Dr. Diana Riser, and Dr. Sheila Brownlow - Perceptions of Societal Structures and Their Outcomes
Allen Callahan, Lilly Henriksen, and Dr. Sheila Brownlow - Language Used by Liberals and Conservatives Discussing Women on Instagram
Abigail Franz, Makya Witmer, and Dr. Sheila Brownlow - College Student Burnout as a Function of First-Generation Status
Cheyanne Leger, Mary Burchette, Abby Shuren, Dr. Diana Riser, and Dr. Sheila Brownlow
Additional posters presented during the undergraduate research session included:
- Phenomenon of Burnout: How Do Stress, Health, and Demands Predict Burnout in Undergraduate College Students?
Cheyanne Leger and Dr. Diana Riser - Differential Motivations in Language Use in Men’s Instagram Posts
Lilly Henriksen, Jonathan Cortes, and Dr. Sheila Brownlow
CEPO/Psi Chi Prize Winner - Biases Toward Women College Professors Seen in Language
Bailey Brewer and Dr. Sheila Brownlow - How Is Emotion Revealed in Language Used by Crime Victims?
Lilly Henriksen and Dr. Sheila Brownlow
The conference experience reflects Catawba College’s continued commitment to undergraduate research, faculty mentorship, and hands-on academic opportunities that prepare students to contribute meaningfully to their fields.
Photo:
front row: Kira Harwood, Dr. Riser
second row: Malachi Williams, Cheyanne Leger, Onii Bivens, Mary Burchette, Kaitlyn Vitale, Abby Shuren, Lesly Benitez, Nikki Franz, Morgan Delair
third row: Jonathan Cortes, Cali Tindall, Elyssa Nealy, Ryleigh Miller, Dr. Brownlow, Makya Witmer, Lilly Henriksen, Allen Callahan, Dr. Klebaur, Bailey Brewer, Dr. Adams
