ESU’s Psychology Department Hosts 55th Biannual Research Forum

The psychology department at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania hosted the 55th Biannual Research Forum at the end of the spring 2026. The Research Forum was started over 27 years ago by Sussie Eshun, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, and Richard Wesp, Ph.D., retired Distinguished Professor of Psychology, as a venue to showcase the outstanding student research being done in the psychology department. It has steadily grown over the years and now includes numerous research and internship posters, student award presentations, and honor society inductions.

The encouragement and recognition of student research are central aspects of the Forum. Each semester, selected student researchers give oral presentations discussing their recent empirical research projects. These presentations are similar to those that would be given at a professional conference, in that the students provide detailed accounts of their hypotheses, research methods, data analysis, and conclusions. The two student presenters for the spring 2026 Research Forum were Brooke O'Connor, a senior psychology major from West Milford, N.J., who presented research conducted with Jyh-Hann Chang, Ph.D., distinguished professor of psychology, titled, "The Correlation of the COOL Scale with Type A and Type B Personalities," and Emily Thomas, a senior psychology major from Quakertown, Pa., who presented research conducted with Bonnie Green, Ph.D. professor of psychology, titled, "Academic Related Help Seeking Behavior and Students' Utilization of Student Services."

During the Research Forum, the celebration of student excellence also includes the presentation of various awards and honors, including the John Kramer Service Award, the John Kramer Science Award, and student inductions into Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology. The John Kramer Service award, given in memory of former student, John Kramer, who graduated from the ESU psychology program in 2002, recognizes psychology students who demonstrate exemplary service to the university, department, and community, taking into account volunteerism and participation in student organizations. The 2026 recipient of the John Kramer Service Award was Brooke O'Connor.

As the day's celebration of student excellence continued, those psychology undergraduates who have met rigorous academic achievement standards were then formally inducted into Psi Chi. Psi Chi holds the distinction of being the largest student psychological organization in the world, having over 900,000 lifetime members. Psi Chi's mission is to promote excellence in scholarship and to advance the science of psychology. The ESU chapter was founded in 1980 and since that time, hundreds of students have become members of this prestigious organization. The ESU Chapter of Psi Chi, along with its counterpart, The Psychology Association, a general membership student organization for anyone interested in the study of psychology, sponsors educational, charitable, and civic programs, which are of value to the professional discipline, as well as to the local community. Deena Dailey, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, and Irina Khusid, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, are the faculty advisors for these organizations. During the spring 2026 Research Forum, fifteen undergraduate students were inducted into Psi Chi: Kareem Abdelnaby, a senior business management and psychology double major from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; DeaRae Bird, a junior psychology major from Moosic, Pa.; Kellie Boyle, from Hellertown, Pa., who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology; Ana Maria Moreno Castañeda, a junior psychology major from Matamoras, Pa.; Jaydalise Cordova, a senior psychology major from Allentown, Pa.; Sorel McGarrell Dalhouse, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from Bushkill, Pa.; Dylan Estime, a senior psychology major from Roselle, N.J.; Veronica Kelly, from King of Prussia, Pa., who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology; Annayha Miranda, a senior psychology major from Slatington, Pa.; Giulia Pizzuto, a senior Spanish and psychology double major from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Izabella Puljanowski, a senior psychology major from Pohatcong, N.J.; Maya Selena Romano, a junior psychology major from Mount Pocono, Pa.; Genevieve Schwemmer, from Ambler, Pa., who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology; Danielle Spillman, from Jim Thorpe, Pa., who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology; and Tara Tanczos, from East Stroudsburg, Pa., who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.

After the formal student presentations, awards, and inductions were completed, students and faculty reconvened in the hallway and in rooms 116 and 118 of Stroud Hall to view additional research studies presented in poster format by students enrolled in various research-oriented psychology courses. Informational posters presented by students who recently completed internships were also presented. Any students who prepared research posters were eligible to submit their projects for consideration of the John Kramer Science Award. This award, also given in memory of John Kramer, recognizes the most outstanding student research poster submission of the Forum. The awardees of the spring 2026 John Kramer Science Award, for their study titled, "Neuroticism and Its Effect on Self-Compassion" were: Benjamin Camp, a junior psychology major from Milford, Pa.; Madeline Hindmarsh, a junior psychology major from Exeter, Pa.; Brianna Hunter, a sophomore psychology major from Philadelphia, Pa.; and Gavin Rickert, a senior psychology and criminal justice double major from Washington Township, N.J.

For more information, please contact Dr. Anthony Drago, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Department Chair, at [email protected].