Research

I am a social psychologist, and my prior work was heavily based on theoretical perspectives of close relationships and belonging. My doctoral work focused on how varying relationship contexts can impact belonging following instances of social rejection. I plan to extend my work into the classroom settings of higher education. With this focus, I hope to understand the effects of closeness and that impact on students' ability to cope, persist to graduation, and motivation to invest in their own future success. 

Education

B.A. Pennsylvania State University 

M.A. University of Delaware

Ph.D. University of Delaware