News and Information
Students Recognized with the Winter 2022 Graduate School Citation Awards
April 19, 2022
The Graduate School has the great pleasure to honor individuals who have distinguished themselves in graduate education at Grand Valley State University. The Graduate School Citation Awards for Academic Excellence are given to recognize the accomplishments of our students and faculty.
The Graduate School Citation Awards recognize excellence in academic performance in several categories. Graduate students are nominated for these awards by staff or faculty members, advisors, graduate program directors, and departmental chairs or school directors. The Associate Vice-Provost for the Graduate School reviews the nominees and approves the final selection.
Grand Valley State University is extremely proud of the accomplishments of these graduate students and graduate faculty members. Congratulations to all!
For the complete collection of photos, please visit our photo gallery.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DEGREE PROGRAM
College of Education & Community Innovation
Melissa Culbertson-Brown, Master of Science in Criminal
Justice
Nanette Hersberger, Master of Education in Educational
Leadership
Ryan Martin, Master of Health Administration
Allison Nieboer, Master of Education in Literacy Studies-K-12 Reading
Specialist
Holly Honig, Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit
Leadership
David Morgan, Master of Public Administration
Mikaela Padgen, Master of Social Work
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
Jiri Hoffmann, Master of Science in Applied Computer Science
College of Health Professions
Lillian Lieffers, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Brennan Burk,
Master of Public Health
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Carly Vaitkevicius, Master of Applied Linguistics
Kierstdea
Petzold, Master of Science in Biostatistics
Austin Schian, Master
of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
Brett Huddleston, Master
of Science in Communication
Ashlyn Haraburda, Master of Science in
School Psychology
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Kelsey Crampton, Doctor of Nursing Practice
OUTSTANDING MASTER’S THESIS
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
Gabriel Melching, Master of Science in Engineering
Thesis
Title: Upright Vacuum Cleaner Swivel Steering Design Considerations
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Megan Sanders, Master of Science in Biology
Thesis Title:
Developing novel molecular detection techniques for hemlock woolly
adelgid (Adelges tsugae)
Brittany Bahl, Master of Science in Communications
Thesis
Title: Princes, Moms, and Warriors: A Feminist Rhetorical Analysis of
Toxic Depictions in Film
OUTSTANDING FINAL PROJECT
College of Education & Community Innovation
Stacie Fifelski, Master of Social Work
Project Title:
Practicing Resilience Conference
Kaylee Kessler, Master of Education in Special Education
Project Title: Addressing the Employment Gap and Barriers to
Employment for Individuals with Disabilities
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ellie Phillips, Master of Science in Biology
Project Title:
Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon River Hydroelectric Projects;
Emergent Wetlands Monitoring Program, Year 2020 Assessment
Louis Walter, Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
Project Title: Detection of COVID Variants in Wastewater with QPCR
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Shawna Thomas, Doctor of Nursing Practice
Project Title:
Behavioral Health Toolkit Developed After Gap Analysis of Three Rural
Emergency Departments
OUTSTANDING PUBLICATION
College of Health Professions
Sebastian Vanderest, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Publication
Title: Outcomes of a child-based manual wheelchair skills peer
training program: an exploratory case report
Co-Authors: Dr. Lisa
Kenyon – Department of Physical Therapy, Elizabeth Hesse, and Katelynn Pakkala
April Butler, Doctor of Nursing Practice
Publication Title:
An Integrative Review of Incivility in Nursing Education
Co-Author: Susan Strouse - Kirkhof College of Nursing
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OR PROFESSION
College of Education & Community Innovation
Deon Atkins, Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Nicolina
Evola, Master of Health Administration
Natalie Davenport, Master
of Public Administration
Irene Torres, Master of Social Work
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
George Ebeling, Master of Science in Applied Computer Science and Engineering
College of Health Professions
Zachary Capulong, Doctor of Physical Therapy
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ellen Foley, Master of Science in Biology - Annis Water Resources
Institute
Alexis Hoskins, Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Autumn Baldwin, Doctor of Nursing Practice
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO GVSU
College of Community & Public Service
Brock Buozis, Master of Health Administration
Andrew Hintz,
Master of Public Administration
Thomas Worm, Master of Social Work
and Master of Public Administration
College of Health Professions
Jammie Hernandez, Doctor of Physical Therapy
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Victoria Johnson, Master of Cell and Molecular Biology
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Julie Hubner, Doctor of Nursing Practice
PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT GVSU
College of Education & Community Innovation
Lauren Enos, Master of Social Work
College of Health Professions
Joshua Olson, Doctor of Physical Therapy
EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Alexis Neff, Master of Science in Biology
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Marstie Bunting, Doctor of Nursing Practice
3-MINUTE THESIS COMPETITION: 2022 First Place Winner
The Graduate School hosted GVSU’s annual 3-Minute Thesis (3MT)
competition virtually on February 17, 2022. Students presented their
independent research in exactly three minutes with the aid of one
static PowerPoint slide. A panel of faculty judges from a variety of
disciplines at GVSU determined the winner.
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Marlee Busalacchi, Master of Health Science in Biomedical
Sciences
Presentation Title: Impacts of Microbial
Experience on Monocyte and Macrophage Polarization in B16 Melanoma