Emerging Scholars: A Celebration of Graduate Research
April 25, 2025
Welcome to the fourteenth annual Emerging Scholars: A Celebration of Graduate Research, honoring the scholarly work of Loyola’s graduate student community.
Schedule of Events
Welcome
Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D. Provost and Senior Vice President
Presentation of Medals for Excellence of Performance
Beth Kotchick, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Graduate Academic Affairs
Terrence Sawyer, J.D. President
Reverend John E. Wise, S.J., Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Education
Medal of Excellence in Forensic Science Excellence in Forensic Pattern Analysis
Graduate Medal for Achievement Excellence in Clinical Professional Counseling
Doctoral Medal for Excellence in Clinical Psychology
Dr. Bernard A. Saltysiak Medal for Clinical Excellence in Speech-Language Pathology
Loyola University Maryland Award for Research in Theology
Graduate Medal for Achievement Excellence in Business
Graduate Medal for Academic Excellence in Emerging Media
Time and Location of Events
Awards Ceremony
Center for Intercultural Engagement, Room SC E300C ~ 6 p.m.
Poster Session and Reception
Third Floor Common Space ~ 6:30p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
* Refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony
Graduate Student Award Recipients
Reverend John E. Wise, S.J., Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Education
The Reverend John E. Wise Medal is given each year by the faculty of Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education to one graduating student “who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship and outstanding service to Loyola University Maryland and the community as exemplified by Rev. John E. Wise, S.J.”
Father Wise, truly the father of today’s vast graduate education programs at Loyola, was first of all a reflective and prayerful priest committed to social responsibility and justice, a scholar who wrote two textbooks and provocative journal articles, a talented and caring teacher, and a dedicated community servant.
The Reverend John E. Wise, S.J., Medal recipient:
TaWanda Eason-Evans
Medal of Excellence in Forensic Science
The Medal of Excellence in Forensic Science is awarded to the top graduating student in the Master of Science program in Forensic Science. The award is based on academic performance and demonstrated excellence in the fields of forensic pattern evidence, comparative sciences and/or forensic science.
Medal of Excellence in Forensic Science recipient: Annabella Bair
Graduate Student Award Recipients
Graduate Medal for Achievement Excellence in Clinical Professional Counseling
Doctoral Medal for Excellence in Clinical Psychology
The purpose of these awards is to honor outstanding achievement by a graduating master’s and doctoral student who are eligible to receive the award in their commencement year. Each award recognizes achievement excellence in one or more areas relevant to the study and practice of psychology, including clinical or counseling practice, research and scholarship, and professional or community service.
Graduate Medal for Achievement Excellence in Clinical Professional Counseling recipient: Megan Abate
Doctoral Medal for Excellence in Clinical Psychology recipient: Rae Underberg
Dr. Bernard A. Saltysiak Medal for Clinical Excellence in Speech-Language Pathology
Upon her retirement, the late Elaine Saltysiak, a beloved former faculty member of the speech-language pathology/audiology department, created both a scholarship and an award medal to be bestowed in honor of her husband, Bernard A. Saltysiak, O.D. The award medal is given each year to a graduate student in speech-language pathology who demonstrates exceptional clinical skills across both years of practica.
Dr.
Bernard A. Saltysiak Medal recipient: Damaris (Maris) Crump
Graduate Student Award Recipients
Loyola University Maryland Award for Research in Theology
The award for Loyola University Maryland’s Master of Theological Studies is given annually to a graduating student based on GPA (minimum 3.75), service to the department and the university, and scholarly contribution to their field.
Loyola University Maryland Award for Research in Theology recipient: Robert Scherer
Graduate Medal for Achievement Excellence in Business
The award for Loyola University Maryland’s Graduate Medal for Achievement Excellence in Business recognizes and honors outstanding achievement by a graduating student in one of the graduate degree programs in the Sellinger School of Business and Management.
Graduate Medal for Achievement Excellence in Business recipient: Aidan LoBiondo
Graduate Medal for Academic Excellence in Emerging Media
This award recognizes excellence in academic performance for students enrolled in the Emerging Media master’s program. The purpose of the award is to honor outstanding achievement by a graduating student in both their coursework and capstone project. Students are eligible to receive the award in their commencement year.
Graduate Medal for Academic Excellence in Emerging Media recipient: Alexandra (Alex) Way
Presenters
Student Presenter Name(s)
Co-authors / Research Advisors
Department
Jamie Archibong
Diana E. Betz, Ph.D.
Psychology
Danielle Bacalhau
Jade Reinholtz
Kathleen Siren, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Tepanta Fossett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Hearing Sciences
Al Baker
Teacher Education
Sarah Brooks
Caitlin McGuirk
Catherine O’Kelly
Kathleen Siren, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Tepanta Fossett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Hearing Sciences
Damaris (Maris) Crump
Grace Brautigan
Halle Basey
Sarah Cornett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Hearing Sciences
Melissa Cruz Noriega
Teacher Education
Chloe Dougherty
Teacher Education
Mallory Dunker
Education Specialties
Matthew Gordon
Psychology
Research Title
The Jezebel and Enjoyment of Sexualization
Comparing effectiveness of wordretrieval treatment targeting L2 or both L1 and L2 in bilingual adults with aphasia
Professional Development for CoTeachers of Emergent Multilingual Learners
Effects of Anodal tDCS with Language Therapy on Verbal Outcomes in PostStroke Aphasia
Experiential Exploration of Culturally Diverse Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Writing About Phenomena: The Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Framework in a 7th Grade Science Classroom
Fine-Tuning the Foundation: Teaching Beginning Band Embouchure
Service with Purpose: Service, Citizenship and the Secondary Social Studies Curriculum Professional Development for US History and Government Educators
Attitudes, Views, & Uses of the DSM-5TR Among Psychologists in Independent Practice
Student Presenter Name(s)
Co-authors / Research Advisors
Department
Kayla Johnson
Teacher Education
Julia Kennedy
Speech-Language Hearing Sciences
Karen Kershaw Teacher Education
Carly Kurgan
Alexa Weyer
Kathleen Siren, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Tepanta Fossett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Hearing Sciences
Ada Marcovitz Teacher Education
Julia Oliver Teacher Education
Malin Piermattei Teacher Education
Afri’Kiia Robertson
Stephanie Flores-Koulish, Ph.D. Education Specialties
Anna Ruby
Tepanta Fossett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Kathleen Siren, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Hearing Sciences
Gisele Schemankewitz
Marianna Carlucci, Ph.D.
Jason M. Prenoveau, Ph.D.
Heather Z. Lyons, Ph.D.
Psychology
Maddie Schultz
Julia Smith
Kathleen Siren, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Tepanta Fossett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Hearing Sciences
Research Title
Seating that Supports: Differentiated Spaces for Diverse Learners
Increasing Reading Engagement to Promote Comprehension
Empowering Spelling Independence in a Fifth-Grade SEL Student
Parent Training to Facilitate Greater Comfort in Supporting the Speech and Hearing Development of Children with Cleft Palate
Discourse and Student Expertise in a 7th Grade Mathematics Classroom
Connecting Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge of Fraction Equivalence
Effects of Seating Arrangements in a 5th Grade Visual Arts Classroom
The Enduring Fight for Liberation: Black Women Educators as Activists in Revolutionary Education
Using Covert Audio Coaching in the Workplace to Improve and Maintain Social Skills for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Navigating Invisibility: Gender Expression and Belonging for Sexual Minority Women
Improving Quality of Life in Transgender Women: Interdisciplinary Therapy including Gender Affirming Voice Training and CognitiveBehavioral Therapy
Student Presenter Name(s)
Co-authors / Research Advisors
Department
Tyler Sokolowski
Chloe Griffin
Kiara Mohamed
Tepanta Fossett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Kathleen Siren, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Hearing Sciences
Zoe Thomas Teacher Education
Research Title
How Does Pairing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) Impact Word-Finding Deficits in Adults with Broca’s Aphasia?
The Silent Seventh: How Silent Classrooms Impact Seventh Grade Students’ Ability to Collaborate
Gordon Topper Teacher Education Action Research Study: How to Evolve my Pedagogy to Increase Student Engagement for Learning
Jada Williams Education Specialties
The Story Behind the Data: Teachers’ Analysis of First-Year Needs Assessment in a Community School
Anna Wroten Teacher Education Incremental Rehearsal and Guided Play Learning of Sight Words
Be sure to visit the Emerging Scholars website this summer: www.loyola.edu/emergingscholars
View the posters from today’s presentation online, and view photos from the event.
We hope to see you next year!
Emerging Scholars: A Celebration of Graduate Research is sponsored by Graduate Academic Affairs and by Graduate Student Services. Special thanks to the Emerging Scholars Committee for its support of this event:
Heather Kavanagh
Jessica Enos, Ph.D.
Jen Lowry, Ph.D.
Kathleen Siren, Ph.D.
Beth Kotchick, Ph.D. and Mark Lee, Chairs