Kahley’s and Lybarger’s research recognized at NCHC conference

Nov. 5, 2021

Two Slippery Rock University students received honors for research presentations at the 2021 National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference, Oct. 29, in Orlando, Florida.

Spencer Kahley, a senior mathematics major from Milroy, won first place in the Diversity category for his presentation titled “Equality in Numbers but not in Rank: An Analysis of Female Faculty in PASSHE in 2005-2020.” The research was performed under the guidance of Jana Asher, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics, with contributions from Marissa Perozzi, a 2021 graduate with a degree in mathematics, and Aran Bybee, a senior computing major from Butler.

Morgan Lybarger, a senior interdisciplinary programs major from Johnstown, placed third in the Education and Pedagogy category, for her presentation titled “Roadblocks to recovery: How resource accessibility curbs addiction in rural communities.” The research was completed at the request of the Butler County Commissioners under the guidance of Alice Del Vecchio, assistant professor of nonprofit management, empowerment and diversity studies, with contributions from students in Del Vecchio’s Community Change and Development course.

A total of 23 SRU students presented at the NCHC conference, either with poster presentations or as part of workshops. The NCHC is an organization of nearly 900 member institutions that supports and promotes undergraduate honors education, impacting more than 330,000 honors students. More than 2,000 students, faculty and administrators attend the conference each year.