Earlier this month, 10 Oglethorpe University students and seven alumni presented research at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA), one of the largest academic associations of its kind. Members of the association hail from across the country, convening annually at this meeting to collaborate, share new insights and lead the development of the field of psychology.
By attending this conference and presenting their own research, Oglethorpe students are helping lead that development—a unique opportunity for undergraduates. The research these students presented was completed as part of required coursework for pursuing a degree in psychology.
The conference also allowed students to network with top professionals and learn about the ways that psychology is developing as a science and as a means for promoting well-being.
Many of the students attending the conference received assistance from the Student Research Development Fund. Administered annually by the Philip Weltner Library, this special fund helps defray the cost of research and can be used for attending conferences, research-related equipment and projects, and logistical expenses.
This year’s student participants were Jade Baptiste ’25, Maddie Case ’25, Darmaris Ceron ’25, Bryan Monroy ’25, Catie Rooks ’25, Carlos Sandoval ’25, Daniel Wells ’25, Mekela Iorio ’25, and Brit Rosser ’25.
Jose Valtierra ’24, an MBA student, also presented research.
Oglethorpe alumni who attended this year’s conference were Orly Schlessinger ’24, Gladis Ruiz ’24, Stephanie Pedroza ’24, Arshie Rob ’24, Jamie Simpson ’24, Piper Lashley ’24, and Samantha LeBlanc ’24.
Throughout their research, Oglethorpe students receive 1-on-1 mentorship, advising and encouragement from faculty members, including Drs. Leah Zinner, Justin Wise, Lisa Hayes, Brooke Bays and Emily Bailey.
A wide range of research subjects were explored in the poster and paper presentations:
- “Personality Predictors of Attitudes Toward ChatGPT” – Jade Baptiste ’25, Maddie Case ’25, Darmaris Ceron ’25, Bryan Monroy ’25, Orly Schlessinger ’24, Emily Bailey, Lisa Hayes and Brooke Bays
- “The Effect of an Information Intervention on Attitudes Towards Immigrants” – Gladis Ruiz ’24 and Leah Zinner
- “A Replication of the Moral Repetition Effect” – Stephanie Pedroza ’24, Catie Rooks ’25, Carlos Sandoval ’25, Daniel Wells ’25, Emily Bailey, Brooke Bays and Leah Zinner
- “Don’t Say ‘Slay’ in an Interview: Speech Type, Interviewer Age, and Employability” – Mekela Iorio ’25 and Lisa Hayes
- “The Effects of Cognitive Load on Moral Dilemma Response Outcomes”- Arshie Rob ’24 and Lisa Hayes
- “Analyzing the Possible Benefits of Using AI to Study”- Jose Valtierra ’24 and Brooke Bays
- “The Effect of Diagnostic Labels on the Social Perceptions of Personality Disorder Symptomatology” – Jamie Simpson ’24 and Lisa Hayes
- “Diagnostic Label of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Ageism on Perceptions” – Piper Lashley ’24 and Lisa Hayes
- “Effect of Retention Intervals and Description Formats on Memory Recall” – Brit Rosser ’25
- “The Effects of Disability Visibility and Accommodations on First Impressions” – Samantha LeBlanc ’24 and Justin Wise
This was the second time that MBA student Jose Valtierra attended the SEPA conference. As an undergraduate, he supplemented his studies in business administration with a minor in psychology—an academic pairing that he says helped him better understand consumer behavior.
“Marketing and business are all just concepts of social and cognitive psychology,” says Valtierra.
He intends to apply for a graduate program in psychology down the road, but in the meantime, he has returned to his alma mater to pursue a graduate degree in business administration to further explore that business’s connection to psychology and bolster his skills.
For Valtierra and all the students who presented their high-level research at SEPA, this experience has built their confidence as scientists and will certainly set them apart as they continue their studies in graduate school and beyond.
