The Understanding Nurturing, Inclusive, and Transformative Environments (UNITE) lab investigates how unwelcoming, uncomfortable, and exclusionary spaces—often for marginalized and minoritized groups—can be transformed into environments where folks of all backgrounds feel secure, supported, and valued.
We explore how exclusionary spaces activate social identity threats, and we develop, test, and implement strategies to effectively mitigate these threats. Our work emphasizes context- and culture-focused interventions that reshape educational and workplace settings, aiming to confront biases and enhance inclusivity. We are committed to creating nurturing environments that promote psychological well-being through the authentic infusion of growth mindsets and belonging cues, among other psychologically adaptive messages.
So, come along and let's make meaningful differences together!
If you would like to apply to be UNITE Lab research assistant, please fill out this application.
Adyson "Ady" Yozzo
SP 2026 - present
Britney Jimenez
SP 2026 - present
Christina Poirier
SP 2024 - present
Jenna Costa
SP 2025 - present
Juliana Cotza
FA 2025 - present
Juliana McKeown
FA 2025 - present
Julie Park
SP 2026 - present
Katherine "Kat" Dempsey
SP 2024 - present
Madeline "Maddie" Mueller
SP 2026 - present
Riley Pino
SP 2026 - present
Michele Chu
FA 2023 - present
Sophia Rogers
SP 2023 - present
Talia Torrens
FA 2024 - present
Congratulations to Sophia, Magdalene, and Michele for their dual honorable mentions in the Best Multidisciplinary Research category and the CAS Dean's Prize! Congratulations also to Ava, Raegan, and Christina for their honorable mention in the Most Transformative for Social Justice category at Academic Festival (2025)!
Kat, Amanda, Izzy, and Talia presenting their research at Academic Festival (2025).
Christina, Ava, and Raegan presenting their research at Academic Festival (2025).
Dr. Kroeper, among other faculty, being honored for service within the Office for Inclusive Excellence at the 2025 Awards Banquet.
Dr. Kroeper being honored for her research within the Center for Teaching and Learning (2025).
Aleks, Jenna, and Gaby presenting their research at Academic Festival (2025).
Sophia and Michele presenting their research at Academic Festival (2025).
Raegan, Talia, Kat, Christina, and Ava at EPA (2025).
Ava, Raegan, and Christina presenting their research at EPA (2025).
Kat and Talia presenting their research at EPA (2025).
Ava, Amanda, and Kirsten presenting their research at SPSSI (2024).
Sophia presenting her research at SPSSI (2024).
Congratulations to Sophia Rogers, who won the Most Scholarly Impact Award for her research at Academic Festival (2024).
Michele, Nick, and Casey presenting their research at Academic Festival (2024).
Christina and Kat presenting their research at SPSSI (2024).
Abby giving a talk about her research at Academic Festival (2024).
Christina and Kat presenting their research at Academic Festival (2024).
Amanda, Kirsten, and Ava presenting their research at Academic Festival (2024).
Dr. Kroeper being recognized at SPSP (2024) for her research and teaching.
Dr. Kroeper accepting the Emerging Scholar Award at SPSP (2024) for her research and teaching.
Abby presenting her research at SPSP (2024).
Sophia presenting her research at SPSP (2024).
Fabiola, Noelle, and Nick presenting their research at ECSC (2023).
Ashley presenting her research at ECSC (2023). Sophia is just off camera.
Abby and Lauren presenting their research at ECSC (2023).
Noelle accepting an ECSC award on behalf of her team (i.e., Fabiola and Nick) for their research. Lauren and Abby were also winners that day!
Abigail "Abby" Wilk
SP 2023 - SP 2024
Aleksandra "Aleks" Kozak
FA 2024 - SP 2025
Aliana Zepeda
FA 2024
Amanda Hamel
FA 2023 - SP 2025
Ashley Piney
SP 2023
Ava Bjelka
FA 2023 - SP 2025
D-Amini "Dia" Graham
FA 2023
Dominick "Dom" Scalera
FA 2025
Fabiola "Fabbie" Millien-Faustin
SP 2023
Gabriela "Gaby" Gomez
FA 2023 - SP 2025
Gianna "Gia" Quintana
FA 2024 - SP 2025
Isabelle "Izzy" Berube
FA 2024 - SP 2025
Katrina Brown
SP 2023 - FA 2023
Kayla Verga
SU 2023
Kirsten St. Aubin
SP 2024
Lauren Simak
SP 2023
Magdalene Corradino
FA 2024 - SP 2025
Marissa Lucente
FA 2025
Nicholas Granja
SP 2023 - SP 2024
Noelle Debrot
SP 2023 - FA 2023
Raegan Doyle
FA 2024 - SP 2025
Samantha Cavalea
FA 2023
Sarah Hanslin
FA 2023
Zoe Pita
FA 2025
Not Pictured: Casey Russell (Spring 2023)