Kristin Finn, PhD

Professor

Dr. Kristin Finn is Professor of Adolescence Education at Canisius University. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Prior to joining the faculty at Canisius, Dr. Finn held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Research Institute on Addictions, a nationally recognized facility in the study of substance abuse and addiction. Dr. Finn was also program administrator at Educational Testing Service where she worked on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Throughout her career, Dr. Finn’s research has focused on issues involving student identification with school. In particular, she has examined the relationship between school engagement and health-related issues including school-related substance use and childhood obesity. Her research and training has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Finn regularly teaches courses in research methodology, human development in adolescence and middle childhood, and educational psychology.

Courses Taught:
HESA 530: Methods of Research
HSV 303: Research Methods in the Social Sciences
EMC 352/552: Human Growth and Social Development: Middle Childhood
EDS 101: Human Growth and Social Development: Adolescence 
EDAD 535: Learning and Human Development: Adolescence 

Awards

Stewart, A.D., Finn, K.E., Margulis, S.W., Morris, S.R., & O’Brien, J.M. Canisius Science Scholars: Providing an integrated academic and social support scaffolding in the biological sciences. National Science Foundation (NSF) $1,000,000. July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2021.

Finn, K.E. Alcohol and Marijuana Use in School Settings. Mentored Research Scientist Development Award, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), $545,676, April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2007.

Relationship between health and engagement among youth. Canisius University School of Education and Human Services Research Support Grant. $1250, May 2019

The role of stigma in behavioral ratings of student work. Canisius University School of Education and Human Services Research Support Grant. $900, May 2015.

Weight bias in education. Canisius University School of Education and Human Services Research Support Grant. $850, May 2012.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a mentoring program at Sweet Home Middle School: Can mentoring enhance resiliency? Canisius University Office of Mission and Identity Summer Research Fellowship. $5,250, January 2012.

Student engagement and misbehavior. Canisius University Summer Proposal Development Grant Program. $4000, February 2010.

School factors associated with student disengagement. Canisius University School of Education and Human Services Faculty Research Award. $2,500 March 2008.

Adolescent misbehavior in school. Canisius University Summer Research/Publication Fellowship. $4,250 January 2008.

Aikido fitness program for at-risk students. Canisius University Summer Proposal Development Grant Program. $5,000, December 2005.

Publications

Books

Gerber, S. B. & Finn, K. V. (2005). Using SPSS for Windows: Data Analysis and Graphics (2nd Ed). New York: Springer-Verlag.

Voelkl, K. E., & Gerber, S. (1999). Using SPSS for Windows: Data Analysis and Graphics. New York: Springer-Verlag.

Gerber, S., & Voelkl, K. E. (1997). The SPSS Guide to The New Statistical Analysis of Data. New York: Springer-Verlag.

Cramer, S. H., Herr, E. L., & Voelkl, K. E. (1992). Instructor's manual to accompany Herr/Cramer career guidance and counseling through the lifespan. New York: Harper/Collins

Chapters

Voelkl, K. (2012). School identification. In Handbook of Research on Student Engagement, Christenson, S.L., Reschly, A.L., & Wylie, C., (Eds) (pp.193-218). Springer Science.

Articles

Seymour, C.M., Finn, K.E., & Kozlowski, K.F. (2020). A Model for Collaboration to Ensure Feasibility and Effectiveness of Fitness Testing in a PK-12 Physical Education Setting. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 91(4), 40-45. DOI.org/10.1080/07303084.2020.1720870

Finn, K.E., Seymour, C.M., & Phillips, A.E. (2019). Weight bias and grading among middle and high school teachers. British Journal of Educational Psychology. DOI:10.1111/bjep.12322

Seymour, C.M. & Finn, K. (2019). Bias in Physical Educators’ Grading Practices with ELA Literacy. The Physical Educator, 76, 427-439. doi:10.18666/TPE-2019-V76-I2-8541

Finn, K.E., Faith, M.S. & Seo, Y.S. (2018). School engagement in relation to body mass index and school achievement in a high school sample. Journal of Obesity, 2018, 1-7 doi: 10.1155/2018/3729318.

Finn, K.V. (2012) Marijuana use at school and achievement-linked behaviors. The High School Journal, 95, 3-13.

Fish, R.M., Finn, K.V., & Finn, J.D. (2011). The problems public schools face: High school misbehavior in 1990 and 2002. Education Research and Perspectives, 38, 59-80.

Finn, K.V., Lopata, C., & Marable, M. (2010) Marijuana use in suburban schools among students with learning disabilities. The Educational Forum, 74, 278-288.

Finn, K.V. & Willert, H. J. (2006). Alcohol and drugs in schools: Teachers’ reactions to the problem. Phi Delta Kappan, 88, 37-40.

Finn, K.V. (2006). Patterns of alcohol and marijuana use at school. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 16, 69-78.

Lopata, C., Wallace, N. V., & Finn, K. V. (2005). Comparison of academic achievement between montessori and traditional education programs. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 20, 5-14.

Finn, K.V. (2004). School characteristics related to in-school substance use. Research in the Schools, 11, 22-33.

Voelkl, K.E., & Frone, M.R. (2004). Academic performance and cheating: The moderating role of school identification and self-efficacy. Journal of Educational Research, 97, 115-122.

Finn, K.V., & Frone, M.R. (2003). Predictors of aggression at school: The effect of school-related alcohol use. NASSP Bulletin, 87, 38-54.

Finn, K.V., Willert, H.J., & Marable, M.A. (2003). Substance use in school. Educational Leadership, 60, 80-84.

Voelkl, K. E., & Frone, M.R.. (2000). Predictors of substance use at school among high school students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92, 583-592.

Voelkl, K.E., Welte, J., & Wieczorek, W. (1999). Schooling and delinquency among White and African-American Adolescents. Urban Education, 34, 69-88.

Voelkl, K. E. (1997). Identification with school. American Journal of Education, 105, 294-318.

Voelkl, K. E. (1996). Measuring students' identification with school. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 56, 760-770.

Gentile, J. R., Voelkl, K. E., Mt. Pleasant, J., & Monaco, N. M. (1995). Recall after relearning by fast and slow learners. Journal of Experimental Education, 63, 185-197

Voelkl, K. E. (1995). School warmth, student participation, and achievement. Journal of Experimental Education, 63, 127-138.

Finn, J. D., Pannozzo, G. M., & Voelkl, K. E. (1995). Disruptive and inattentive-withdrawn behavior and achievement among fourth-graders. Elementary School Journal, 95, 421-434.

Finn, J., & Voelkl, K. E. (1994). Class size. In T. Husen & T. N. Postlethwaite (Eds.), The International Encyclopedia of Education (2nd ed.). Oxford: Pergamon Press.

Finn, J. D., & Voelkl, K. E. (1995). Class size. Reprinted in L. W. Anderson (Ed.), The International Encyclopedia of Teaching and Teacher Education (2nd ed.). Oxford: Pergamon Press.

Voelkl, K. E. (1993). Academic achievement and expectations among African-American students. Journal of Research and Development in Education, 27, 38-51.

Finn, J. D., & Voelkl, K. E. (1993). School characteristics related to student engagement. Journal of Negro Education, 62, 249-268.

Crocker, J., Voelkl, K., Testa, M., and Major, B. (1991). Social Stigma: The affective consequences of attributional ambiguity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 218-228.

Conference Proceedings

Finn, K.E., Rutter, M.E., LaMastra, M. (2013). The effects of school-based mentoring on school engagement, interpersonal relationships, and resilience in high-risk middle school students. 6th Annual Mentoring Conference Proceedings: Impact & Effectiveness of Developmental Relationships. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico

Research Reports

Mazzeo, J., Carlson, J., Voelkl, K.E., & Lutkus, A. (2000) "Increasing the Participation of Special Needs Students in NAEP: A Special Report on 1996 NAEP Research Activities." U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Donahue, P. L., Voelkl, K. E., & Campbell, J. (1999) "NAEP 1998 Reading: A Report Card for the Nation and the States." U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Campbell, J.R., Voelkl, K.E., & Donahue, P. (1997). “NAEP 1996 Trends in Academic Achievement.” National Center for Education Statistics. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Campbell, J.R., Voelkl, K.E., & Donahue, P. (1997). “Report in Brief, NAEP 1996 Trends in Academic Progress.” U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Voelkl, K.E., & Mazzeo, J. (1997). “Mathematics Achievement in Illinois in the Middle School Years: Results from IEA's Third International Mathematics and Science Study.” Report submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

Voelkl, K.E., & Mazzeo, J. (1997). “Science Achievement in Illinois in the Middle School Years: Results from IEA's Third International Mathematics and Science Study.” Report submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

Voelkl, K.E., Goodman, M. & Mazzeo, J. (1997). “Mathematics Achievement in Minnesota in the Middle School Years: Results from IEA's Third International Mathematics and Science Study.” Report submitted to the Minnesota State Board of Education. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

Voelkl, K.E., & Mazzeo, J. (1997). “Science Achievement in Minnesota in the Middle School Years: Results from IEA's Third International Mathematics and Science Study.” Report submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

Anderson, B., Cline, F., Bruschi, B., Voelkl, K., & Meltzer, J. (1994). “Science perspectives from urban students: Member survey results of museum of science and industry science club network.” Report submitted to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

Bruschi, B., Anderson, B., Voelkl, K., & Cline, F. (1994). “Science perspectives from urban students: Club portraits.” Report submitted to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.