Three Cornell College students presented their work at the Iowa Sociological Association (ISA) annual meeting on April 17, 2026.
The event recognizes the best research papers by undergraduates across the state and drew more than 80 attendees representing Iowa institutions. Cornellians presented papers they developed during sociology courses and independent studies. This year’s event was held at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Carroll, Iowa. Professor of Sociology Erin Davis accompanied the students to the annual meeting.
“The ISA gives our students a unique opportunity to present their research outside of the Cornell classroom or community,” Davis said. “Students not only receive validation for their hard work, but they are able to take on the role of experts as they share their research with their peers from other Iowa institutions.”
Cornell College students have consistently attended and won awards at the ISA annual meeting for more than fifteen years.
Nick Alderman ’27 brought home the Ward Reynoldson award for Criminal Justice with his paper titled “The RCIAT: Designing the First IAT Test to Measure Implicit Bias against Returning Felons (Returning Citizens).”
“Since we have attended the ISA for many years, newer majors learn about the ISA from upper-class students and look forward to their own opportunity to participate,” Davis said. “In communicating complex findings and refining their public speaking ability, participants are developing skills that translate directly from the classroom to their future careers. Further, they are also encouraged to network with other budding sociologists and explore career paths and other post-graduate opportunities through career development workshops.”