Student Success Blog

2024 CEHD Student Research Symposium Recap

CEHD Student Research Symposium 2024

Over 35 students shared their research at the 2024 College of Education and Human Development Student Research Symposium held on April 25 at Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center. The symposium included three Oral Presentations and 35 Poster Presentations reflecting scholarship at all levels, from undergraduate through doctoral study, and disciplines within the School of Education, the School of Kinesiology, and the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management.

The entirety of the Student Research Symposium (SRS) was intended to introduce students to the process of conducting, submitting, and presenting their research at a professional conference. On behalf on the college, we thank each member of our community who spent their evening learning about and supporting our students’ research!

Faculty support for the 2024 SRS played a pivotal role in its success. By mentoring students through the process, and with some faculty even integrating the submission process into their courses, students reaped the benefits of their professors’ experience as research professionals. Select faculty also volunteered to judge the poster presentations to aid in the professional development of our researchers, and to select award winners.

Thank you to the following faculty who volunteered their time to serve as our 2024 CEHD Student Research Symposium Faculty Judges:

Jatin Ambegaonkar

Dominique Banville

Sheri Berkeley

Jered Borup

Craig Esherick

Margaret Jones

Anastasia Kitsantas

Shawn Lee

Joel Martin

Risto Marttinen

Jacqueline McDowell

Sammie Powers

Tiphanie Raffegeau

Pierre Rodgers

Joan Shin

Debbie Sprague

Debra Stroiney

Continue reading for more information on our poster presentation award winners, and to view photos from the evening and the event program featuring a comprehensive list of student participants.


Award Winners

Outstanding Poster Presentations have been awarded in three categories: Outstanding Doctoral Poster Presentation, Outstanding Master’s Poster Presentation, and Outstanding Bachelor’s Poster Presentation. The award winners were chosen based on scores they received by faculty judges, who examined all poster presentations using the following criteria:

    • Adherence to presentation format requirements 
    • Command of information or depth of knowledge on the topic 
    • Strength and quality of research elements (e.g. problem, methods, conclusion, impact, etc.) 
    • Presentation organization and flow 
    • Professional delivery of presentation (e.g. verbal articulation, pace, inflection, etc.) 
    • Aesthetics of presentation 
    • Overall presentation  

View the 2024 award winners below!


Outstanding Doctoral Poster Presentation

headshot of Kelley Wiese

Kelley Wiese

PhD Education, Kinesiology Concentration

Out of 25 doctoral poster presenters, our faculty judges selected Kelley Wiese as the recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Poster Presentation. Wiese’s presentation, “Objective and Subjective Sleep in Collegiate Dancers,” was founded in research supported by Jatin Ambegaonkar, Shane Caswell, Jena Hansen-Honeycutt, and Joel Martin.


Outstanding Master’s Poster Presentation

Joseph Hahn

MS Kinesiology

Out of 13 master’s degree poster presenters, our faculty judges selected Joseph Hahn as the recipient of the Outstanding Master’s Poster Presentation. Hahn’s presentation, “Association Between Smart Ring Measured Sleep Variables and In-Game Basketball Performance,” was founded in research supported by Margaret Jones.


Outstanding Bachelor’s Poster Presentation

headshot of Kayleigh Newman

Kayleigh Newman

BS Kinesiology

Our faculty judges selected Kayleigh Newman as the recipient of the Outstanding Bachelor’s Poster Presentation. Newman’s presentation, “Maximal Exercise and Postural Stability: A Comparative Analysis of Fatigue Across Different Modes of Exercise,” was founded in research supported by Joel Martin.


Learn More About #CEHDSRS2024

View the 2024 CEHD Student Research Symposium Program for the full list of student oral and poster presenters, research titles, and faculty collaborators!


Do you have photos from the event? Use the hashtag #CEHDSRS2024 for your chance to be featured on our official social media channels

Would you like to be involved in the next Student Research Symposium? The CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs sends out a call for submissions in the fall and early spring of each academic year through the CEHD student newsletter. Interested students may submit an abstract and choose a format for their presentations, which will then be reviewed by a committee to determine eligibility. We look forward to seeing you at #CEHDSRS2025!

2023 CEHD Student Research Symposium Recap

George Mason University College of Education and Human Development Logo with title "Student Research Symposium 2023" and a lightbulb graphic made of colorful gears

Over 45 students shared their research at the 2023 College of Education and Human Development Student Research Symposium held on April 20 at Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center. The symposium included six Oral Presentations and 41 Poster Presentations reflecting scholarship at all levels, from undergraduate through doctoral study, and disciplines within the School of Education, the School of Kinesiology, and the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management.

In its first year in person since the start of the pandemic, the annual symposium hosted over 100 guests committed to supporting and furthering student research. According to Caroline Masakayan, Student Enrichment Coordinator for the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the renewed interest in the symposium reflects Mason’s strong commitment to valuing research. 

“Students who engage in research are better equipped with critical skills that make them engaged citizens and well-rounded scholars and practitioners.”

Caroline Masakayan, Student Enrichment Coordinator for CEHD Student and Academic Affairs

Faculty support for the 2023 SRS played a pivotal role in its success. By mentoring students through the process, and with some faculty even integrating the submission process into their courses, students reaped the benefits of their professors’ experience as research professionals. Faculty attendance at the event was high, and many encouraged their classes to attend as well.

The entirety of the Student Research Symposium (SRS) was intended to introduce students to the process of conducting, submitting, and presenting their research at a professional conference. The CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs sent out the call for submissions in the fall and early spring. Interested students submitted an abstract and chose a format for their presentations which were then reviewed by a committee. During the event, student poster presenters were evaluated by CEHD faculty and staff volunteers to ultimately select three categories of award winners.

Continue reading for more information on our oral presenters, poster presentation award winners, and to view the event program featuring a comprehensive list of student participants.


ORAL PRESENTERS

Portrait of Megan Sax van der Weyden
Megan Sax van der Weyden
PhD, Education

Concentration: Kinesiology

The Effects of a Law Enforcement Duty Belt and Vest on Muscular Activity While Walking
Portrait of Margaret Gerry
Margaret Gerry
PhD, Education

Concentration: Special Education, Teacher Preparation, International Systems of Education, Families

Perspectives and Experiences of Immigrant Families with Special Education in the United States
Portrait of Zikun Li
Zikun Li
PhD, Education

Concentration: Interdisciplinary Studies in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP)

Sociocultural Influences on Body Image Concerns in Men of Color – A Structural Equation Modeling Study
Portrait of Bethany Wagener
Bethany Wagener
MS, Learning Design and Technology and eLearning Certificate

An Analysis of Meaningful Work of Hospitality Employees in Relation to Service Robots
Portrait of Kelley Wiese
Kelley Wiese
PhD, Education

Concentration: Kinesiology

Physical and Mental Workload in Collegiate Dancers
Portrait of Alejandra Salazar Salame
Alejandra Salazar Salame
PhD, Education

Concentration: Interdisciplinary Studies in Multilingual Multicultural Education, Education Policy, and Teaching and Teacher Education

Community Building in Spanish Dual Language Classrooms During COVID-19

POSTER PRESENTATION AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Bachelor’s Poster Presentation
Photo of Nana Osei-Wusu holding her Certificate

Nana Osei-Wusu

BS, Sport Management

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julie Aylsworth

The Winning Game

Outstanding Master’s Poster Presentation
Photo of Devon Trieschock holding her award

Devon Trieschock

MS, Kinesiology

Collaborators: Dr. Jennifer Fields (Springfield College), Dr. Andrew R. Jagim, Meghan Magee

Faculty Mentors: Dr. Margaret T. Jones

Determination of Low Energy Availability by Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry Versus Air Displacement Plethysmography in Collegiate Athletes

Outstanding Doctoral Poster Presentation 
Photo of Beth Hosek holding their award

Beth Hosek

PhD, Education

Faculty Mentors: Dr. Stephanie Dailey, Dr. Heather Walter

The Impact of Contextual Factors on School Communities During an Active Shooter Simulation


2023 Student Research Symposium Program

View the 2023 CEHD Student Research Symposium Program for the full list of student presenters, research titles, and faculty collaborators!


INTERESTED IN SEEING PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT?

View our Instagram and TikTok channels for more content from the College of Education and Human Development, including this 2023 Student Research Symposium Recap Reel. Do you have photos from the event? Tag us for your chance to be featured on our official social media channels!