Senior’s research chosen for conference presentation, wins award

Kristen Soforic ’13, a psychology major at North Central College, was recently recognized for her academic work. Her research project, titled “The Effect of Induced Hypocrisy on Texting While Driving,” was accepted for presentation at the 2013 Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) conference in May in Chicago. She co-authored the project with North Central 2012 graduate Nicholas Petkunas, also a psychology major.

Her project also won a Regional Research Award from Psi Chi, the international honor society for psychology. With more than 600 abstracts submitted for presentation to MPA, only 18 received this distinguished award.

A Naperville resident, Soforic is a member of Psi Chi, North Central’s College Scholars Honors program and Blue Key National Honor Society, which is comprised of upper-class students dedicated to leadership, scholarship and service. Soforic also carries a minor in theatre and plans to pursue a doctorate in psychology after graduation in December.

Psychology and theatre are among the more than 55 majors, minors and other areas of study offered at North Central College.