Every student at Maryville College completes a year-long research project called the Senior Study, whether the student’s major is Design, Management, Psychology, Biology, Criminal Justice or any of the other 40 major fields of study. These studies vary from laboratory experiments to forms of creative expression, and all Senior Study projects include a student and faculty mentor working together in discipline-specific scholarship. Use the drop-down menu to view examples of Senior Studies chosen by faculty as exemplary. Older versions can be checked out from the Lamar Memorial Library and Newer studies are being stored in the College’s digital archives.

Student
Name
Major
Title
Supervisor

Carmela Lewis '24

Majors
Biology
Biology
Title
Ecological Survey of Wildflowers on Private Property Beside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Walland, Tennessee
Ecological Survey of Wildflowers on Private Property Beside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Walland, Tennessee
SuperVisor
Dr. David Unger
Dr. David Unger

Evelyn Linkous '16

Majors
Writing Communication
Writing Communication
Title

In Transit: A Study of Hyperlocal Journalism

In Transit: A Study of Hyperlocal Journalism

SuperVisor
Mr. Kim Trevathan
Mr. Kim Trevathan

Lenny Lively '19

Majors
Religion
Theatre Studies
Religion
Theatre Studies
Title

Sturdy as a Rock: Our Bicentennial Story

Sturdy as a Rock: Our Bicentennial Story

SuperVisor
Dr. Heather McMahon
Dr. Heather McMahon

Cassidy Mahan '18

Majors
Psychology
Psychology
Title

Sexual Assault Shame: An Analysis of Victim Blaming and Religiosity

Sexual Assault Shame: An Analysis of Victim Blaming and Religiosity

SuperVisor
Dr. Karen Beale
Dr. Karen Beale

Sydney Mahr '25

Majors
Criminal Justice
Finance / Accounting
Criminal Justice
Finance / Accounting
Title
Airbnb 2024
Airbnb 2024
SuperVisor
Dr. Gabie Kerr
Dr. Gabie Kerr

Kathryn Maley '19

Majors
Biology
Biology
Title

Success of American Chestnut Hybrid Saplings in a Walland, TN Backcross Seed Orchard

Success of American Chestnut Hybrid Saplings in a Walland, TN Backcross Seed Orchard

SuperVisor
Dr. Dave Unger
Dr. Dave Unger

Wil Manuel '19

Majors
Management
Management
Title

TEXTRON INC.

TEXTRON INC.

SuperVisor
Dr. A. Reeves Johnson
Dr. A. Reeves Johnson

Hannah Mattison '23

Majors
Biology
Biology
Title
Parasite Infection in Howler Monkeys, Alouatta palliata, at WildSun Rescue in Costa Rica
Parasite Infection in Howler Monkeys, Alouatta palliata, at WildSun Rescue in Costa Rica
SuperVisor
Dr. Drew Crain
Dr. Drew Crain

Lauren McCarter '19

Majors
Art
Design
Art
Design
Title
The Design of Gender-Neutral Packaging
The Design of Gender-Neutral Packaging
SuperVisor
Ms. Adrienne Schwarte
Ms. Adrienne Schwarte

Anna McCormick '25

Majors
Finance / Accounting
Finance / Accounting
Title
Chipotle 2024
Chipotle 2024
SuperVisor
Dr. Gabie Kerr
Dr. Gabie Kerr

Jane Meadows '21

Majors
Political Science
Political Science
Title

The permanent war economy : an analysis of U.S. defense spending

The permanent war economy : an analysis of U.S. defense spending

SuperVisor
Ryan Mickey
Ryan Mickey

Jonathan Meystrik '23

Majors
Computer Science
Mathematics
Computer Science
Mathematics
Title
A 3D simulation of Flocking
A 3D simulation of Flocking
SuperVisor
Dr. Barbara Johnson
Dr. Barbara Johnson

Emily Miller '24

Majors
Education
Education
Title
Elementary Education edTPA Accompanying Images
Elementary Education edTPA Accompanying Images
SuperVisor
Tracy Wulf
Tracy Wulf

Kathryn Ann Mitchell '16

Majors
Psychology
Psychology
Title

Bilingual and Monolingual Performance: Attentional Blink and Working Memory Load Dual-Task Effect

Bilingual and Monolingual Performance: Attentional Blink and Working Memory Load Dual-Task Effect

SuperVisor
Dr. Chad Schrock
Dr. Chad Schrock

Spencer Mitchell '21

Majors
Exercise Science
Neuroscience
Exercise Science
Neuroscience
Title
Relationship Between Concussion History and Reaction Time in Collegiate Athletes
Relationship Between Concussion History and Reaction Time in Collegiate Athletes
SuperVisor
Dr. Jeremy Steeves Dr. Lori Schmeid
Dr. Jeremy Steeves Dr. Lori Schmeid