Student Research on Display
November 26, 2025
Students in Education, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work displayed scholarly posters for the semiannual SHaPEN Symposium on November 19. The symposium is named for the programs presenting scholarly work: Social Work, Sociology, Human Services, Psychology, Education, Nursing. The fall symposium reflected students enrolled in EDUC 146-Psychology and Development for Educators, NURS 480-Scholarship for Professional Practice, PSYC 101-General Psychology, and SWRK 410-Social Work Research Project.
The 45 posters, representing 159 students, explored a wide array of topics through application of theory, literature review, and original research, with designations for lower-division (100- and 200-level) and upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
The event launched with a welcome from Dr. Rachelle Keck, Grand View President; Dr. Patty Williams, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; and SHaPEN committee members Dr. Josh Woods and Dr. Jaci Easter. After the welcome, students presented their work and made rounds to listen to and comment on fellow students’ posters.
First place overall, and top score in the category of original research, was awarded to Isabelle Piedras (SWRK 410) for her poster How Does Teen Pregnancy Impact the Teen’s Well-Being and Success?
Second place overall and top score in the category of upper-division literature review went to Natalie Smith (NURS 480) for Parent Education for Infants Diagnosed with Failure to Thrive.
In the lower-division category of literature review, with a score reflecting third place overall, was the PSYC 101 team of Robert Avila, Mya Bethel, Gabriel Donner, Sophie Dredge, and Salu Lee for their poster Psychedelics.
Fourth place overall, and runner-up in the category of original research, was Danyelle McGrew (SWRK 410) for Emotional Impact of Chronic Illness on Healthy Siblings.
Fifth place overall in the category of application of theory was Blet Paw (EDUC 146) for Effective Feedback for ELLs.
Huge appreciation goes to the 21 judges who reviewed and provided feedback on each of the posters: Kathi Arnold, Jori Avery, Cathy Beck-Cross, Laura Burianov, Laurie Butz, Guy Cunningham, Jennifer Donnelly, Jaci Easter, Idit Hazan, Rachelle Keck, Steven Kellogg, Simon Kuihon, Lisa Laughlin, Diana O’Leary, Carter Reed, Myke Selha, Rachel Seltz-Falk, Megan Thibodeau, Patty Williams, Peggy Urtz, and Alec Zama.
Members of the fall symposium planning team were Dr. Josh Woods (Psychology), Dr. Jaci Easter (Education), Dr. Lisa Laughlin (Nursing), and Dr. Cathy Beck-Cross (Social Work), along with administrative assistants Valerie Foster, Jamee Heemstra, and Sarah Van Rees.