Education

Ph.D.              Saint Louis University                                          May 2019
Experimental-Social Psychology 
Quantitative Methods- secondary concentration                        

Dissertation: Beyond the innocence of youth: Compassion collapse for children, adults, and convicted felons

M.S.                Saint Louis University                                          May 2016
Experimental-Social Psychology                              

 Thesis: Understanding divisions: Effects of manipulated socioeconomic status and zero-sum beliefs on racial prejudice

B.S.                 University of Nebraska at Kearney                      May 2014
Psychology with a minor in English, summa cum laude                

Courses Currently Teaching

• Psych 181: Introduction to Psychology (enrollment: 25-200)
• Psych 288: Introduction to Social Psychology (enrollment: 25-200)
• Psych 330: Psychology of Diversity (enrollment: 30-300)
• Psych 483: Advanced Social Psychology (enrollment: ~40)
• Psych 906: Proseminar in Social Psychology (enrollment: ~15)

Courses Taught Previously

• Behavioral Science Statistics
• Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 
• Psychology of Good and Evil
• Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
• Abnormal Psychology

Teaching Awards and Training

• Teacher of the Year Award (May 2023): Voted by Psychology Club as a professor at University of Nebraska Lincoln who embodies interest and attention to the practice of teaching and helps advance student learning
• Family and Friends Recognition Award (March 2023): Award given when a fdriend or family member of a student makes note of a professor who has had a significant impact on a student
• Napoli Teaching Award (April 2018): Chosen as the outstanding graduate teacher in Saint Louis University’s psychology program based on assignments, teaching philosophy, and evaluations
• Faculty Excellence Award (April 2017): Recognized as one of the top 10 professors at Saint Louis University in dedication and excellence of teaching inside and outside of the classroom
• Certificate in University Teaching Skills (Fall 2014-Spring 2019): Obtained a certificate in teaching attesting to my participation in multiple workshops and classes to learn and discuss innovative and evidence-based pedagogical techniques 

Research Interests

My primary research interests concern the scholarship of teaching and learning.  Specifically, I have studied factors related to student engagement and critical thinking (e.g. types of assignments given, hours worked outside school, etc.).  I am also interested in determining protective factors that may increase the success and retention of college students from disadvantaged backgrounds.  Lastly, I have conducted research on social justice issues, specifically issues surrounding prejudice and prosocial behavior.