Tiffin University Research Conference and Competition

View the flyer below for details about this year's research conference.

Why present at the conference?  Here are just a few reasons:

1. Professional scholarship opportunities set you apart from other graduates in the job market and graduate applications. 
2. Applying content in your courses helps develop a professional identity. 
3. Sharing knowledge and expertise with peers can have a positive impact on your learning and professional development.
4. Add presentation experience to your CV/resume.

Registration

You must register for the conference with your intended research proposal by filling out this form.  You can also access the registration form through the campus-wide email that should be in your university Gmail inbox.  We welcome proposals from all disciplines. Proposals are due by March 15, 2022.

Please remember an accepted IRB proposal is needed prior to the submission of a conference proposal for any research involving human subjects. More information about IRB is available in the Presenter Information section.

Tuesday, April 12th

Locations for presentations: MAIN 12, MAIN 13, MAIN 14, MAIN 21, MAIN 22, MAIN 23, & MAIN 24

Presentation Sessions Group 1: 2:00PM to 3:15PM

Break: 3:15PM to 3:30PM

Presentation Sessions Group 2: 3:30PM to 4:45PM

Poster Sessions (Marion Center): 5:00PM to 6:00PM

Dinner/Keynote Speaker/Awards for Presenters (Marion Center): 6:30PM to 8:00PM

Keynote Speaker - Karen Marquardt

Karen Marquardt was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University and a Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership from Trine University.

Upon graduation from Ohio State, she returned home and began a career as a licensed chemical dependency counselor at the Toledo Hospital Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center. She was employed in that capacity for 16 years.

Ms. Marquardt was appointed to The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department in 1996. After 10 years as a Firefighter, she moved up the ranks and was promoted to Lieutenant 2007, Captain 2009, Battalion Chief 2011, and Deputy/Assistant Chief in 2014. She was the first female in the history of Toledo Fire & Rescue to not only achieve the rank of Deputy Chief, but to then serve as the Assistant Chief.

Ms. Marquardt helped negotiate 4 collective bargaining agreements, and in her tenure, has worked in the Bureau of Professional Standards, Fire Investigative Unit / Fire Prevention Bureau, Employee Assistance Program, Training Bureau, Emergency Medical Service Bureau, Recruitment, and has also served as the Department’s HIPPA Compliance and Sexual Harassment Officer. She also was instrumental in starting the Toledo’s first community paramedicine program, pairing social workers and paramedics to respond to frequent high-volume utilizers of the 911 system. She was the first woman to serve in the capacity of Acting Fire Chief of the Department.

Ms. Marquardt retired in June of 2021 after 25 years of service. She remains a certified firefighter, fire instructor, fire inspector, live fire instructor and, EMT-B. She is married and has 2 stepdaughters, 2 dogs and an assortment of cats.

Wednesday, April 13th (Virtual)

*Provost's Introduction & Watch Party with YouTube Videos: 6:00PM to 7:00PM

Question & Answer Session for Presenters by Attendees: 7:00PM to 8:00PM

*Links for the watch party will be shared a week prior to the event

Tuesday, April 12th (Session 1)

Link to program

Main 12 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 2:00 - 2:15: Seth Schreiber (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology & Homeland Security) "Attitudes and Beliefs of College Students Towards Campus Counseling Services"
• 2:15 - 2:30: Delvie Heibertshausen (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Anxiety Among College Students"
• 2:30 - 2:45: Luke Weise (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology & Law Enforcement) "Do Students Feel Like They Are Learning Anything From Online Classes?"
• 2:45 - 3:00: Samantha Shaffer (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Why States Need to Implement Threat Assessment Protocols Within Schools"
• 3:00 - 3:15: Marley Gussler; Rebekah Combs (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "College Students' Feelings on Opioid Decriminalization"

Main 13 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 2:00 - 2:15: Shannon Asiala (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology & Homeland Security) "The Affect of Sleep on Mental Health"
• 2:15 - 2:30: Kayla Fury (Undergraduate, Criminalistics) "What is Police Legitimacy and How Does the Public Feel?"
• 2:30 - 2:45: Abbie-Jade Riley (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "The Significance of Gender, Major and Familiarity on One’s Knowledge and Attitudes Towards the Incarcerated Transgender Community"
• 2:45 - 3:00: Abbi Montgomery (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Women’s Wrestling and Body Image Problems"
• 3:00 - 3:15: Jacob Tynan (Undergraduate, Criminal Justice)

Main 14 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 2:00 - 2:15: Diana Kershaw (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Perceptions of Justice: Punitive vs. Restorative Justice"
• 2:15 - 2:30: Kayla Noel (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology/Criminalistics) "Battered Woman Defense as a Defense For Murder"
• 2:30 - 2:45: Kerrigan Champagne (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Association Between the Elderly and Eyewitness Testimonies"
• 2:45 - 3:00: Jada Moore; Ashley Sease; Hannah Unkefer; Zoe Ranki; Marisa Smith (Undergraduate, Forensic Science & Chemistry) "Comparing Functional Groups in Aromatic Compounds"
• 3:00 - 3:15: Victoria Demko (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology & Homeland Security) "Fear of Crime in College Students"

Main 21 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 2:00 - 2:15: Abigail Ayers (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Insanity within the Court System"
• 2:15 - 2:30: Lyrik Spurlock (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Stigma of Felons"
• 2:30 - 2:45: Wrae Steele (Undergraduate, Criminal Justice) "Mental Illness and Social Media Use in College Students"
• 2:45 - 3:00: Stephanie Mondragon (Undergraduate, Psychology) "Sexual Harassment in College Sports"

Main 22 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 2:00 - 2:15: Carolyn "Kenny" McGauley (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "The Effect of Exposure to Violence on Career Choice"
• 2:15 - 2:30: Marissa Nugent (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Intimate Partner Violence Research"
• 2:30 - 2:45: Lauren Halford (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Difference Between Male and Female's Situational Awareness"
• 2:45 - 3:00: Makayla Boysel (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "The Public's Perception of Rehabilitation"
• 3:00 - 3:15: Erin Anderson (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Killing the Food Chain"

Main 23 (Cyber Security & Criminal Justice)

• 2:00 - 2:15: Tristan Meyer (Undergraduate, Cyber Security) "Donald Trump vs Joe Biden - Student Opinions"
• 2:15 - 2:30: Carolin Bieck (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Knowledge and Attitude Towards Mental Health and Psychopathy"
• 2:30 - 2:45: Austin Burkholder (Undergraduate, Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement) "Opinions On Schedule One Narcotics in America"
• 2:45 - 3:00: Damir Simmons; Meaira McInnis (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Felon Disenfranchisement"
• 3:00 - 3:15: JoJo Gabos; Jacob Zinn (Undergraduate, Digital Forensics & Cyber Security) "Cyber Security Training in the CST111 Curriculum"

Main 24 (Humanities & Music)

• 2:00 - 2:15: Thurston Dyer (Undergraduate, History) "Exploring 1990s Conservatism in Politics and Culture Through Hegemony"
• 2:15 - 2:30: Carter Bennett (Undergraduate, Commercial Music Production & Engineering) "Scoring Music to Film"
• 2:30 - 2:45: Grace Winrod (Undergraduate, Commercial Music Production & Engineering) "Film Scoring Research"

Tuesday, April 12th (Session 2)

Main 12 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 3:30 - 3:45: Mackenzie Boone (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Can Having Ex-cons as Criminal Justice Professors be Beneficial for Educational Purposes?"
• 3:45 - 4:00: Brady Henry (Undergraduate, Cyber Security) "What Influences a Person's Religious Beliefs?"
• 4:00 - 4:15: Charlie Cleveland (Undergraduate, Criminal Justice) "Social Personal Interactions"
• 4:15 - 4:30: Charlotte Campbell (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Does Sleep Affect Athletic Performance?"
• 4:30 - 4:45: Caleb Pierce (Undergraduate, Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement) "College Students and Gun Control"

Main 13 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 3:30 - 3:45: Mikayla Greer (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Attitudes on Police Brutality and Harassment"
• 3:45 - 4:00: Sarah Smith (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "How do Video Games Affect College Students and Their Work Ethic?"
• 4:00 - 4:15: Peyton Edwards (Undergraduate, Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement) "Police Militarization"
• 4:15 - 4:30: Hannah Rus (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Mental Health Stigma"
• 4:30 - 4:45: Stephanie Fox (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Perceptions of Defendant Confessions Based on Modality Used in Courtroom Presentations"

Main 14 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 3:30 - 3:45: Savannah Bradfield-MacKenzie; Emma Baraby (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "School Shooter Knowledge and Attitude"
• 3:45 - 4:00: Gabrielle Cesareo (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Public Perception on Juveniles Being Sentenced to Life Without Parole"
• 4:00 - 4:15: Kaycee Harper (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Techno SeXXX"
• 4:15 - 4:30: Donavan Magill (Undergraduate, Criminalistics) "Perceptions on Marijuana and Performance Enhancing Drugs"
• 4:30 - 4:45: Melina Worcester (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "The Willingness of Employers to Hire Ex-Offenders"

Main 21 (Psychology)

• 3:30 - 3:45: Isabel Sanchez (Undergraduate, Psychology) "What Influences Psychology Majors?"
• 3:45 - 4:00: Devin Butler (Undergraduate) "Shackled"
• 4:00 - 4:15: Alizah Wright (Undergraduate, Human Services) "Financial Strain on College Students"
• 4:15 - 4:30: Destiny Sandlin (Undergraduate, Psychology) "The Unsolved Case"
• 4:30 - 4:45: Andrea Catherine Pappas (Graduate, Criminal Justice) "Deregulation Of Buprenorphine, a Call to X The X-Waiver: An Ohio Case Study"

Main 22 (STEM)

• 3:30 - 3:45: Vincent Volpe (Undergraduate, Cyber Security) "Identity Theft and Public Relations"
• 3:45 - 4:00: Carl Hastings (Undergraduate, Information Security) "Effectiveness of Instruction/Learning Technology"
• 4:00 - 4:15: Garrett McCoy; Anthony Gardin; Hunter Garberick; Owen Brewer (Undergraduate, Computer Science & Homeland Security)
• 4:15 - 4:30: Tyler Zimmerman (Undergraduate, Cyber Security) "Teaching Cybersecurity to End-Users"
• 4:30 - 4:45: Katie Jane Griffin (Undergraduate, Criminalistics) "Women in Law Enforcement"

Main 23 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 3:30 - 3:45: Lydia Greavu (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Basic Knowledge of the Bill of Rights"
• 3:45 - 4:00: Kirsten Bonnette (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Jury Selection"
• 4:00 - 4:15: Shannon Sertz (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "The Influence of General Belief in a Just World on Perceptions of Exonerees"
• 4:15 - 4:30: Kelsey Hock (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Trash Among the Stars"
• 4:30 - 4:45: Kirsten Cresanto (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Are Hunters More Violent?"

Main 24 (Criminal Justice & Social Sciences)

• 3:30 - 3:45: Luchian Lee (Graduate, Criminal Justice & Social Sciences) "The Effects of Circle Sentencing on Recidivism Rates and Successful Offender Reentry"
• 3:45 - 4:00: Hailey Burns (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Jailhouse Rock?"
• 4:15 - 4:30: Emma Robinson (Undergraduate, Forensic Psychology) "Jurors' Perspectives and Victim History"
• 4:30 - 4:45: Morgan O'Halleran (Graduate, Forensic Psychology) "Is There a Better Treatment Program for Sex Offenders?: An Archival Research Study"

Poster Sessions: 5:00PM - 6:00PM (Marion Center)

• Jaelyn Fazio (Undergraduate, Criminalistics) "The Understanding of Feminism"
• Katie Jane Griffin (Undergraduate, Criminalistics) "Tiffin University Greek Life"
• Brandon DeWitt (Undergraduate, Cyber Security) "How Does a Daily Schedule Effect Sleep Habits?"
• Jocelyn Brezina; Jeremy Hohenstein; Joe Oren (Undergraduate, Accounting & Human Resource Management) "Risk Assessment"
• Brandon Craig; Thomas Kis; Maram Almutairi (Undergraduate, Accounting) "Business Risk Analysis Project"
• Paige Beidelschies; Cory Lewis; Ryan Hall (Undergraduate, Accounting & Human Resource Management) "Netflix Risk Assessment"
• Bailey Gibson (Undergraduate, Computer Science) "Human Nature / Human Behavior"
• Hunter Sunberg; Trinity Isom; Molly Miller; Alex Williams; Sierra Richardson (Undergraduate, Exercise Science) "Can Heart Rate Recovery Rate and Self-Reported Training Heart Rate Predict Cross Country Performance and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in NCAA D2 Runners?"
• Miranda Burk (Undergraduate, Criminal Justice) "Drugs and Poverty"

Wednesday, April 13th (Virtual)

Room 1

• Patricia E. Childs (Graduate, English): "The Negative Psychological and Physiological Effects of Social Media on Adolescents Aged 10-21"
  • Abstract: Technology currently outpaces human evolution, and human physiology cannot keep up because the brain cannot fundamentally change. The highly adaptive and complicated algorithms employed by social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube constantly track and adapt to the user, and the result is the monetizing of the user’s attention (“clicks”). But far more damaging is the behavioral addiction to the endorphins released by constantly stimulating the reward center of the brain, as well as keeping the need for such stimulation high by tailoring newsfeeds and streams to provoke outrage and confusion. The 10-21 age group is especially vulnerable to the pain/pleasure cycle as the subcortical and striatum, the two regions most associated with risk-taking and the strong desire for peer approval, are developing faster during adolescence than at any other time.
• Rylie Mullen (Undergraduate, Psychology - Human Services): "Music Styles in Studying Habits"
  • Abstract: The overall purpose of my presentation is to study what kind of music is the most effective when studying. Music is something that, at some point, everyone is exposed to, which raises the question on how one can use music and manipulate it to help their mind and body. I intend to conduct a survey to read and dive into how the individuals are affected by what kind of music is chosen. I'm expected to find trends in certain music that help studying for certain people, and I expect to find trends in certain music that affect studying for certain people. In conclusion, identifying this information will be beneficial in further research to discover how exactly music affects studying habits.
• Asa Reid (Graduate, English): "Neverwhere: Does the Story Invoke Feelings of Wonder and Adventure?"
  • Abstract: Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, originally published in 1996, was written as part of a television show. However Gaiman found that the format was limiting but when he went to write the novel he had to make many editorial cuts that left him feeling the story lacked. Now after years that the book has been on the shelf he has been able to re-release it in its full context. With this he starts with an Author's note that the purpose of the book is to invoke the feelings of Narnia, Wonderland, and a sense of adventure and wonder but for adults. The purpose of the reader response is to determine if he successfully managed to convey these feelings through an detailed analytical approach to the text applying the reader response literary theory.
• Jessica Cox (Undergraduate, Psychology): "Graduating with a Child"
  • Abstract: Personal experience with graduating as a single parent. Helpful links and statistics for who can help if you become pregnant. How to get proper care and knowing your options.
• Claudia Gray (Graduate, Art & Visual Media): "Photo Series: A Woman's Work Is Never Done"
  • Abstract: This photo series was part of a final project for a creativity Masters class. The project was originally started to satisfied my need to continue to create, then it morphed into a school project, and now lives on. The creative motivation came from my life struggles and being very inspired by Cindy Sherman, a historical and social reformative photographer. Studying at Tiffin, I was being stretched as an artist, and realized that art doesn’t necessarily have to be pretty. Artwork can have a message and be edgy. Therefore, I wanted to use Sherman’s ideology and explore my own twist with social concepts in a nature setting. The presentation shows the process from the inspiration seed, the beginning steps, photo shoots, and ending which culminates with the photos exhibited in galleries, shows, and the Hayward public library. Many of the photographs have sold as well and are continued to be exhibited.

Room 2

• Bria Coleman (Undergraduate, Psychology): "Medical Sales During COVID"
  • Abstract: This presentation will explore some of the difficulties that the health services field has faced in the past few years due to COVID. I also interviewed a Sales Representative in the pharmaceutical respiratory services field to discuss her side of things.
• Kierstyn A. Jackson (Graduate, Forensic Psychology): "The Mental Illness Crisis According to Law Enforcement"
  • Abstract: The relationship between law enforcement officers and those with mental illness is severely strained and possibly even broken. But who caused this rift in the relationship? Are law enforcement officers to blame? Are those with a mental illness to blame? Or, does the issue stem from a bigger problem of deinstitutionalization and negative stigmas that society has against both mentioned populations? The purpose of this study is to dive deeper into the relationship between law enforcement officers and those with mental illness to see where the disconnect stems from as well as what can be done to bridge the gap.
• Emma Sas (Undergraduate, Forensic Science): "Logic of Cults"
  • Abstract: In this presentation, I will give a brief overview of cults, the mentality of cults and cult leaders. I will then discuss my research and the information gained from my stakeholder interview. I will be focusing on the viewpoints of group members versus none group members.
• Makenzie Wheeler (Undergraduate, Justice Administration): "Anxiety and the Different Ways to Treat It"
  • Abstract: The overall purpose of this research is to shed some light on self-treatment for anxiety so that people understand there are more options than therapy and medications. The focus is on if self-treatment is as effective as therapy and/or medications and the answer was found by continuous research.
• Ian Lopez (Undergraduate, Cyber Security): "Mental Health on College Athletes"
  • Abstract: For this session, my topic is the mental health of student athletes at the collegiate level. The overall purpose of this study is to determine are college athletes at a higher risk for mental health illnesses due to the overall stress students athletes endure during there time in college. I have chosen this topic of research for my conference presentation because here at Tiffin majority of students are athletes, so it will be easier to find and record a substantial amount of data. My methods for conducting this research includes, in person questionnaires, and online surveys. Some projected findings I believe that I will find include that student athlete's are at a higher risk for mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety due to the high demand of time from there sports, school, and personal life. Some implications that I believe I will find will include how organized a student athlete is. Some student athletes can handle the extra stress because they are organized. So, that will be a factor in my findings.
• Jordan Van Meter (Undergraduate, Psychology - Human Services): "Nutrition Among College Athletes"
  • Abstract: The overall purpose of the research project is to bring attention to the eating habits among college athletes. Being a college student and athlete can be very time consuming while also being stressful. Due to the lack of time during the day, nutrition can falter in which students being to have an unhealthy relationship with food, or making poor choices in the food they eat. Also, researching whether or not coaches and their sport has any influence about what they can and cannot, and how this effects them. For the research, a survey will be conducted targeting the athletes here at Tiffin University. The trends hopefully show that student athletes do engage in food that lack in nutrition, and their coaches along with teammates impact their food choices as well.