Graduate Research Symposium Oral Presentations

Educational Leadership – Ed.D.

Enhancing Mental Health and Self-Care through Student Mindfulness Training: The Case of the University of North Carolina School of Law
Graduate Student: John Kasprzak
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Jess Weiler

Increasing Exposure and Understanding of Post-Secondary Education:  Breaking Down Barriers to College During a Pandemic
Graduate Student(s): Erica Vandermore, Amy Wagner
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Jess Weiler

Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind: Transition Supports for Transfer Students Entering Fully-Online Programs at Western Carolina University
Graduate Student: Myra Watson
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Kim Winter

Elementary Education – M.A.Ed. – STEM

Engineering in STEM: Impact on Male and Female Elementary Student Engagement
Graduate Student: Tracy Hewitt
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Carrie Rogers, Dr. Frank Forcino

Psychology – M.A.

Adolescent Personality as Predictor of Success in Wilderness Therapy
Graduate Student: Madeline Adolf
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. David McCord

Differences in Stigma Consciousness in LGBTQ Individuals During the Coming Out Process
Graduate Student: Megan Moomaw
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. David Solomon

Psychology (Health Service) – Psy.D.

Suicide Assessment and Risk Among WCU Students
Graduate Student: Adam Hicks
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. David McCord

Technology – M.S.

Feedback Control of a Rear Mountain Bike Shock Utilizing a Magnetorheological Damper
Graduate Student: Marshall Murphy
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Scott Pierce

Implementing AI on a Neural Prosthesis to assist Gait on People with Muscle Weakness
Graduate Student: Pablo Valenzuela
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Martin Tanaka, Dr. Paul Yanik, Dr. David McCord

Fine Arts – M.F.A.

Watershed- a Pathway Connecting Communities with the Arts to Engage in Creative Ways of Addressing Issues Affecting People and the Environment.
Graduate Student(s): Jenn Gordon, Lori Park, Kate Chassner
Faculty Sponsor(s): Tom Ashcraft, Morgan Kennedy

Physical Therapy – D.P.T.

Creating an Online and Video Learning Adjunct for Didactic Education in Physical Therapy
Graduate Student(s): Cameron Green, Alison Plaisted, Christi Rowe, Sebastian Faundez, Shane Lohf
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. John Carzoli, Dr. David Hudson

Interdisciplinary Instruction And Perceptions Of Online Learning Among Doctor Of Physical Therapy And Physical Therapist Assistant Students
Graduate Student(s): Benjamin Houska, Dani Harris, Emily Schaul, Tim Levene, Mary Kelsey Trumps, Kelly Smoot
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Elizabeth Wark, Dr. Tim Eckard

Helping Hondurans Stay Active During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Graduate Student(s): Courtney DeDea, Hayley Gee, Kim Avalos, Kyle Donaldson, Alex Miller, Bianca Boieru, Fran Toler, Bailey Cloninger, Kaleigh Mathis, Madison Vaughn
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Todd Watson, Dr. Jessica Graning

The Effects of Focus of Attention on Functional Movement and Motor Learning in Individuals Post Stroke
Graduate Student(s): Anne Gallagher, Abby Murrell, Carly Reiman, Tyler Steele, Halee Wright
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Ashley Hyatt, Dr. David Hudson, Kim Hudson M.S.

What Balance Related Biomechanical Changes Occur in the Lower Extremity Due to Physical Fatigue?
Graduate Student(s): Blake Gereb, Connor Blanton, Cameron Dellinger
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. David Hudson

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction for the General Practicing Physical Therapist
Graduate Student(s): Daniel Jennings, Nina Whorton, Maureen Tray, Shannon Gerney
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Douglas Keskula

Feasibility and Psychometric Properties of Performance Measures in the Telehealth Environment
Graduate Student(s): Stephanie Smith, Allie Steinhoff, Clay Gardiner, Holly Hamm, Kelly McNamara, Maria-Adriana Rojas
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. Lori Schrodt, Dr. Tammy Simmons

Clinical Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Patients with Musculoskeletal Impairments
Graduate Student(s): Mark Steele, Kyle Boraski, Dylan Wells
Faculty Sponsor(s): Dr. David Hudson, Dr. Josh Jones