2026 Emerging Scholar Awardee: Skylar Allen
Presentation Title: A Call to Action: Supporting Collegiate Coaches Navigating a Stressful New Reality
The dates and itinerary for the 2027 Graduate Student Research Symposium will be announced early 2027.
For more Symposium information, visit this Google Docs document.
Ready to present? Submit your proposal here.
| 2026 Symposium Schedule of Events |
|---|
| 8:45am Registration & Welcome |
| 9:20am Ignite Session |
| 10:10am Idea Incubator A, Poster Session |
| 11:00am Ignite Session 2 |
| 11:50am Morning Session Conclusion |
| 12:00pm Break |
| 1:30pm Registration & Welcome |
| 2:00pm Ignite Session 3 |
| 2:50pm Idea Incubator B |
| 3:45pm Ignite Session 4 |
| 4:30pm Awards Presentation & Afternoon Session Conclusion |
2026 Faculty and Staff Mentors
- Christian Anderson, Ph.D.
- Chris Burkett, Ed.D.
- Ryan Carlson, Ph.D.
- Daniella Cook Sumpter, Ph.D.
- Matt Cunningham, Ph.D.
- Elizabeth Currin, Ph.D.
- Melissa Duffy, Ph.D.
- Ashley Gess, Ph.D.
- Mary Hansen, Ph.D.
- Matt Irvin, Ph.D.
- Julia López-Robertson, Ph.D.
- An De Meester, Ph.D.
- George Roy, Ph.D.
- Angie Starrett, Ph.D.
- Andrea Taliaferro, Ph.D.
- Chas Thompson, Ph.D.
- Katie Wolfe, Ph.D.
2026 Graduate Student Participants
- Skylar Allen
- Ozgur Altintas*
- Sonya Burns*
- Brandi Byers
- Morgan Edlin
- Marcelo Frias
- Ta’lia Gordon*
- Lee Hunt
- Kerwin Johnson
- Trenae Johnson
- Tae Joon Kim
- Emily Lohrbach*
- Sylvester Maduna*
- Beatrice Quiroz*
- Peter Rifenburg*
- Adrianna Shoemaker*
- Latasha Smart
- Xiaobo Wei
- Patricia Wilson*
*indicates student volunteer
2026 Awards
Emerging Scholar Award
This award goes to a student whose project is currently in development and showing promise.
Innovative Idea Award
This award goes to a researcher who is developing an innovative research pursuit.
2025 Innovative Idea Awardees
Brandi Byers, Ed.S.
Presentation Title: Paralyzed by Pressure: Fear of Failure Effects on Academic Motivation and Persistence
Beatrice Quiroz, Ed.S
Presentation Title: Using Machine Learning Methods in Education Research
Graduate Student Research Award
This award goes to a student who has demonstrated exemplary completed research project.
2026 Graduate Student Research Awardees
Ozgur Altintas, Ed.S.
Presentation Title: Motor Competence Profiles and Fitness Performance in AROTC Cadets
Morgan Edlin, LLDI
Presentation Title: Between What's Promised & What's Lived: LGBTQ College Athletes' Experiences at AEI Leaderboard Institutions
Symposium Support
- Dean Thomas Hodges
- Office of Research
- Office of Communication
Symposium Organizers
- Ali Brian, Ph.D., CAPE
- Katie Cunningham, Ph.D.
- Gwen Lorinovich