College of Idaho Psychology Students and Faculty Showcase Research at RMPA Convention

Psychology students and faculty from The College of Idaho recently took part in three days of research presentations and professional networking at the 96th Annual Convention of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association (RMPA), held March 26–28, 2026, in Boise, Idaho.

The conference provided a valuable opportunity for students to share original research, engage with peers and faculty from across the region, and gain experience presenting in professional academic settings.

Among the highlights, seniors Chris Gandiya ’26 and Logan Bright ’26 delivered a joint oral presentation on their collaborative research project with Assistant Professor Dr. Courtney Ricciardi. Their study, titled “Exploring the Differing Motivations for Advanced Calculus Taking and Planning,” examines hypotheses using a large, publicly available dataset of high school students from across the United States.

Seniors Mikaelly Dantas ’26 and Zoey McCrorie ’26 presented their thesis research in an oral session focused on social psychology. Guided by Associate Professor Dr. Ruth Tincoff, the students developed and executed their projects through the Psychology Thesis Seminar in the fall, followed by data collection in the spring.

“Mika and Zoey each designed creative, intriguing, and empirically strong research studies,” said Dr. Tincoff. “They presented as confident and accomplished researchers, sparking several questions from the audience.”

Dantas’ research explores how content created by young online influencers may shape adults’ perceptions of childhood and children, while McCrorie’s project investigates the relationship between artificial intelligence companion usage and satisfaction in human relationships.

Additional student researchers, Emily Thoene ’26 and Tea Casabar ’26, presented poster sessions that encouraged meaningful discussion with conference attendees. Thoene shared findings from interviews with young adults about their experiences in higher education, with a focus on the role of family socioeconomic status and relationships. Casabar presented research stemming from interviews with Caldwell youth participating in a Youth Participatory Action Research group, contributing to an ongoing community-engaged project led by Professor Dr. Jen Wallin-Ruschman, the Hansberger Chair of Community Engagement.

Both students emphasized the value of working closely with faculty mentors throughout the research process, gaining hands-on experience in qualitative methods and community-based research practices.

In addition to student presentations, The College of Idaho faculty contributed to the RMPA Portenier-Wertheimer Teaching Conference, highlighting innovative teaching practices. Dr. Tincoff led an interactive session on using interviews to support thesis students’ self-regulation skills and presented on ethical considerations surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in academic work.

Associate Professor Dr. T.R. Brooks also led a hands-on workshop demonstrating how to use Tinkercad to create low-cost 3D experimental stimuli and teaching tools. Dr. Brooks is known for incorporating creative and engaging techniques in courses such as Biological Psychology, Sensation and Perception, Environmental Psychology, and Psychology in Science Fiction.

The College of Idaho continues to provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful research and present their work at regional and national conferences, preparing them for graduate study and careers in psychology and related fields.

For more information about the psychology program and student research opportunities, visit:
https://collegeofidaho.edu/academics/undergrad/curriculum/psychology/