SOBL Student-Faculty Research Program

Graduate student Presenting Their Research

Graduate Student Presenting her research

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBL) offers undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom through hands-on research experience. Every year, SOBL allocate special funds to support students and faculty as they team up to investigate various topics within their subject of study.

Students and their supervising faculty members work on their projects from October to April. They, then, have the opportunity to present their research findings at Stockton's annual STARS (Scholarship, Teaching, & Research Symposium) Week.

This page highlights the projects that have been completed, the student researchers and their supervising faculty members.

In Spring 2023, SOBL sponsored nine faculty-student research projects, The findings were presented by the students at the SOBL Faculty- Student Research Showcase on April 19, 2023.

Click the images below for video interviews with the student researches.

Anna Caputo

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Helana Girgis, Psychology

Under the supervision of Professor Helana Girgis, Anna Caputo presented a project titled A Multisensory Approach: The Effect of Visual Cues Versus Odor on Flavor Perception.

Cassandra Bodner

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Jessica Fleck, Psychology

Under the supervision of Professor Jessica Fleck, Cassandra Bodner presented a project titled Adopting Growth Mindset: Effects of Mindset Manipulation on Frontal Alpha Asymmetry.

Ceirra Reeves

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Robin Hernandez-Mekinnen & Dr. Rachel Kirzner, Social Work

Under the supervision of both Professor Hernandez-Mekinnen and Professor Kirzner, Ceirra Reeves presented a project titled Barriers for Aged Out Youth Attending College: An Analysis of Student Experiences.

Daniela Gonzalez

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Christina Jackson, Sociology/Anthropology

Under the supervision of Professor Jackson, Daniela Gonzalez presented a project titled Know Your Place: Black Leisure as an Expression of Freedom & Citizenship.

Katie Squindo

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Lauren Balasco and Dr. Claire Abernathy, Political Science

Under the supervision of Professor Balasco and Professor Abernathy, Katie Squindo presented her project Supporting the Engaging Citizenship Textbook.

Kimberly Walther

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Sunny Mathew, Social Work

Under the supervision of Professor Mathew, Kimberly Walther presented a project titled Parents' Experiences with Children's Mental Health during Covid-19 Pandemic.

Mary-Rose Keane

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Kim Schanz, Criminal Justice

Under the supervision of Professor Schanz, Mary-Rose Keane presented a project titled Impacts of Relationship Legitimacy on Perceptions of Violence.

Julia Cunningham & Van Nhi Ho

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Sara Martino, Counseling

Under the supervision of Professor Martino, Van Nhi Ho and Julia Cunnigham presented a project titled A Systematic Review of Social Media & Its Impact on Mental Health.

Rodrigo Reyes

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Eric Hoyt, Economics

Under the supervision of Professor Hoyt, Rodrigo Reyes presented a project titled The State of Employment Equity in New Jersey.

In Spring 2024, SOBL sponsored seven faculty-student research projects, The findings were presented by the students at the SOBL Faculty- Student Research Showcase on April 25, 2024.

Tai Bui, Criminal Justice

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Syeda Hadi, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Perceptions and Attitudes towards Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

Emma Riley, Psychology

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Jessica Fleck, Professor of Psychology
Examining the Role of Grit in Perceived Stress and Frontal Alpha Asymmetry

Nikitha Mohan, Psychology

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Zornitsa Kalibatseva, Associate Professor of Psychology
Immigrant Workplace Wellbeing

Cassandra Destefano, Psychology

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Connie Tang, Professor of Psychology
Is Mindfulness An Effective Strategy for Improving Delayed Gratification Skills in Young Children?

In Spring 2025, SOBL sponsored eleven faculty-student research projects, The findings were presented by the students at the SOBL Faculty- Student Research Showcase on April 16, 2025.

Delaney Bowman, Social Work (MSW)

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Robin Hernandez-Mekonnen, Professor of Social Work
Student Engaged Learning: Policy and Advocacy

Trinity Meads, Counseling

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Erin Sappio, Associate Professor of Counseling
Barriers Preventing Black People’s Access to Mental Health Treatment

Kyla Hoinkis, Social Work

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Sunny Mathew, Assistant Professor of Social Work
Reciprocal Benefits: Bridging Generations through Intergenerational Programs

Sage Rosenberg, Sociology & Anthropology

Supervising Faculty:
Bobbi Hornbeck, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
African American Roots Project: Visualizing 18th & 19th Century Ledger Data

Sadia S. Mihi, Criminal Justice

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Syeda Hadi, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Gendered Impact of Violence on Rohingya Refugees' Repatriation and Local Inegration Decisions

Mikaili Philbert, Psychology

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Nordia Scott, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Cultural Differences in the Relationship between Learning Disabilities & Academic Resilience

Tatiana Shukovsky, Economics

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Ramya Vijaya,Professor of Economics
Immigrant Labor Force Data SnapShot II

Payton Eckell, Victim & Victim Services

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Deeanna Button, Professor of Criminal Justice
Sexual Assualt Help Seeking

Isabella Campione, Political Science

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Michael Rodriguez, Professor of Political Science
Hispanic Serving Institutions in the US: A Prospect for Stockton University?

Katherine Wilkinson, Behavioral Neuroscience

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Jessica Fleck, Professor of Psychology
Relationship Between Hyperfocus, Emotion Regulation, and Mental Health in Individuals With ADHD

Janiya Redfurn, Childhood Studies

Supervising Faculty:
Dr. Helana Girgis, Associate Professor of Psychology
Self-Talk, Empathy, and Childhood Victimization: Understanding their Impact on Depression, Anxiety, and Aggression