Biographical Information

Education

2001
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: Community Psychology
Minor: Quantitative Psychology
Thesis Title: Rootedness in microsettings: Children’s experiences of places in school
Thesis Chair: J. Rappaport
Committee Members: M. Aber, P. Miller, T. Moore, S. Wasserman
1998
A.M., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Thesis Title: An exploratory study of volunteer mentoring: Toward a typology of relationships
Thesis Chair: J. Rhodes; Second Reader: K. Rudolph
1994
B.A., University of California at Santa Cruz
Major: Psychology (Highest Honors in Psychology and College Honors)
Thesis Title: Women, Body Image, and Cognitive Dissonance
Thesis Advisor: P. Machotka; Second Reader: A. Thorne
1992
A.A., Modesto Junior College
Major: Psychology (Alpha Gamma Sigma)

Positions Held

2020-21
Visiting Scholar, Center for Human Rights & International Justice, Boston College
2018-Present
Associate Editor, American Journal of Community Psychology
2016-Present
Professor, Psychology Department, UC Santa Cruz
2014 – 2019
Oakes Provost, UC Santa Cruz
2010 – 2016
Associate Professor, Psychology Department, UC Santa Cruz
2006 – 2010
Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, UC Santa Cruz
2001 – 2006
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University
1994 – 1996
Research and Administrative Assistant, Children’s Advocacy Institute and Center for Public Interest Law, University of San Diego’s School of Law

Selected Honors, Awards, & Grants

2021-24
William T Grant Institutional Challenge Grant (Co-PI)
2021-22
Diverse Futures of STEM, Genentech (Co-PI)
2019
Special Contributions to Community Psychology. Awarded by the Society for Community Research & Action
2019
EOP (Educational Opportunities Program) Hero Award, UC Santa Cruz
2014-19
First in the World Grant, Department of Education (co-PI)
2011
Engaging Research Lab, Graduating Psychology Class of 2011
2008
Honorable Mention, UC Santa Cruz Center for Teaching Excellence Teaching Award
2005
Michele Alexander Early Career Award for Scholarship and Service, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
1999 – 2001
National Research Service Award, Predoctoral Trainee in Quantitative Psychology
1999
Herman Eisen Memorial Award for Excellence in Professional Contributions by a Graduate Student, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
 1998 – 1999
 Department of Defense Research Fellowship

Professional Affiliations

  • APA Division 27, Society for Community Research and Action, Member

  • APA Division 9, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Member