The department recognized students with the outstanding student, research, and community engagement excellence awards
Elon University’s Psychology Department recognized five seniors with annual awards highlighting outstanding achievement in the field.
Seena Granowsky Outstanding Student in Psychology Award
Kenan Carter ’25 and Henry Searle ’25 were both selected to receive the Seena Granowsky Outstanding Student in Psychology Award. This award is the highest student honor for the department and recognizes a senior psychology major who has shown outstanding academic achievement and service to the field of psychology through internships, research, or participation in psychology organizations.
Kenan Carter
Kenan Carter has participated in three different research projects in the Infant Development Lab, but also dedicated energy to her main projects on how parents support infant motor development in indoor and outdoor spaces, which she recently presented at a regional conference.
“As our longest-standing lab member, she is a leader and role model, and her passion for psychology has noticeably extended into her service as the president of Elon University’s Psychology Club,” said Associate Professor Sabrina Thurman, who is also Carter’s mentor.
Carter has also served as a health promotion and education intern in physical therapy offices, a youth yoga instructor and a (non-contact) boxing intern to support youth physical and mental well-being.
Henry Searle
At Elon, Henry Searle has conducted two empirical studies, presented his work at two professional conferences (one of which was international), is an author on a manuscript currently under review at a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal and has a second manuscript in preparation for submission.
“Each of these achievements is a testament to Henry’s intellectual curiosity, initiative and perseverance,” said his mentor Assistant Professor Katrina Jongman-Sereno. “In addition to his research accomplishments, Henry is collaborative, thoughtful, reliable and kind.”
Research Excellence in Psychology Award
Nick Dilley ’25 and Ryan McKenna ‘25 were both selected to receive the Research Excellence in Psychology Award. This award recognizes a senior psychology major who has shown excellence in commitment to the undergraduate research process through the completion of either independent or collaborative research that contributes to the field of psychology.
Nick Dilley
During his time at Elon, Nick Dilley designed and conducted two experiments, one of which incorporated three trained research actors in an in-person collaborative task, an effort that required extensive time in the lab. His work has been recognized with the prestigious Rawls Endowed Grant and has led to two conference presentations that will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. He has expanded his work into the classroom as a teaching and learning apprentice as well.
“Nick’s intellectual curiosity and deep commitment to the research process were complemented by his leadership, as he mentored and coordinated the research assistants involved in his study,” said Erika Lopina, associate professor and Dilley’s mentor. “Beyond the lab, Nick has been an engaged and valued student of the psychology department, serving as a major peer advisor and representing the department at university admissions events. Nick has an unmatched work ethic and a delightful sense of humor!”
Ryan McKenna
Ryan McKenna’s research focuses on intrasexual competition and sexual overperception, applying Signal Detection Theory to understand how women may overperceive other women’s sexual interest as a derogation strategy. He has coauthored three encyclopedia articles on related topics, presented his research at two professional conferences as well as SURF Day, and is now working on a manuscript to submit for publication. McKenna has now been accepted into a cognitive psychology doctoral program this fall. His mentor, Assistant Professor Jordann Brandner describes him as a “dedicated, intellectually curious scholar.”
“He critically engages with the literature in the field to develop hypotheses and research designs that will contribute meaningfully to the field. He is a leader in the lab, guiding newer students through the creation of research protocols, teaching them to run participants for data collection, and helping them improve their scientific writing,” said Brandner.
Community Engagement Excellence in Psychology Award
Olivia Lancashire
Olivia Lancashire ’25 received the Community Engagement Excellence in Psychology Award. This award recognizes a senior psychology major who has shown excellence in commitment to applying knowledge of psychology in the community through participation in internships, service learning, or other service projects.
During her internships with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Dallas Fort Worth Angels, she provided direct support to individuals facing mental health challenges and foster care instability, gaining firsthand experience in crisis intervention and community outreach. Her work with NAMI deepened her understanding of the urgent need for accessible mental health resources, while her time with the Dallas Fort Worth Angels strengthened her skills in providing emotional support to vulnerable populations. She will begin a master’s program this fall in clinical mental health counseling.
“Olivia exemplifies a dedication to applying psychology in real-world settings. Not only is she curious and hard-working in class, but she has a deep commitment to using psychology to help others through mental health advocacy,” said Brandner, her mentor. “Through these (internship) experiences, Olivia has not only applied psychological principles in real-world settings but has also demonstrated compassion, leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others.”