A good way to get a sense of that is to hear from the students (see below). If you're interested in chatting with Prof. Leigh Ann Vaughn about the team, please feel free to contact her, too (lvaughn@ithaca.edu).
Lydia Barber
I am now in my second semester of research team, and it has continued to be one of the most valuable classes in my course load. During my internship this summer, I used the skills I learned in team to succeed in a professional environment. Research team has allowed me to push out of my comfort zone and challenge myself in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Our work is detailed and meticulous, which is sometimes challenging, but it has prepared me for future professional settings. Leigh Ann is very passionate about her work with social psychology, which highly benefits the team environment. Being a part of this team has helped build strong personal and professional relationships with my classmates as we work together to achieve a common goal. I would recommend this team to anyone who is looking to immerse themselves in social psychology research and learn skills that will help you succeed in the classroom and in future professional settings.
Bee Beckman
Being a part of Leigh Ann’s research team this semester has been increasingly valuable the longer I am a part of it. This class is wildly different from a lecture hall or even a discussion-based class. Every week we are given presentations and public speaking experience, slowly making me more comfortable with them. We are constantly strengthening our skills in SPSS on the spot, as well as getting feedback at the moment. But Leigh Ann isn’t the only valuable teacher in the class; with a mentor-mentee program, every new member is given a peer to turn to if needed. Weekly group projects offer consistency and support. Leigh Ann’s team isn’t just a terrific learning environment, but offers a supportive and fun environment that I can’t wait to return to next semester!
Chase Brechbiel
My third semester on research team has been a very rewarding and valuable experience. It has continued to make me more comfortable talking about statistics and engaging in conversations with team members. Leigh Ann makes team a very familiar and safe space to share ideas and the ability to work through things together. The workload and consistency of team contributes to the comfortability because of the structured nature of the class. Through three semesters on team I have improved my presentation skills through two different conferences, knowledge of SPSS, abstract writing, and article comprehension. Although team can feel a little intimidating at first, it is a great place to learn and grow in a safe space.
Sarah Chraibi
Being part of this research team has been one of the most growth-oriented, adaptive academic experiences I’ve been a part of at Ithaca College. Dr. Vaughn’s strong and consistent structure within the team establishes clear expectations- while still leaving plenty of room for engaging conversations that promote genuine curiosity and creative thinking. The mentorship embedded within the team plays a vital role in this and as a second-semester team member I have the opportunity to fulfill the mentorship role! The camaraderie within the team has motivated me to enhance my skills and contribute to the findings of our research. My time on team has had an exponentially positive effect on my academic skills such as presenting, analyzing data, and academic writing. These are skills I plan on utilizing for the rest of my academic career, so it has been valuable to me to be able to develop the foundations of said skills in a close setting.
Madison Coots
Being on Leigh Ann’s research team for my first semester has felt like a breath of fresh air. Going into research team I was worried and nervous I wouldn’t succeed but Leigh Ann makes it impossible not to. Her team is very structured an organized and you always know what to do each day and she is more than willing to help and provide feedback when needed. It is also so helpful that returning team members make the adjust to team so easy and this makes me feel at home. While it is still early in my experience, I know that it is a semester I will enjoy greatly.
Nic Dimambro
The research team has provided me with an opportunity that I needed. It’s hands on and in your face, but not too overwhelming. The vibes are high amongst the team and Dr. Vaughn’s enthusiastic nature, along with her expertise in the field, makes for an enjoyable experience. I’ve learned so much and have grown my skills, becoming more confident in my abilities to understand research and run statistical tests, as well as my presenting skills and teamwork participation. Folks on the team are always interested in finding out “why?’ and more than willing to help a fellow member out. The research and research team itself can feel like a lot, but as you delve into the new environment, you get a feeling for the vibe and get hooked.
Jamie Low
Being a part of Dr. Vaughn’s research team is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I have gone through. In this class, we are able to get hands-on experience in ways that you probably wouldn’t get in your other classes. We learn how to work with SPSS, analyze data, identify important components of a study, and find key takeaways. This class has pushed me to think both critically and abstractly–digesting the data and content of articles, and connecting those concepts to different scenarios or contexts during discussions. Additionally, there is always room for everyone’s voice to be heard. Dr. Vaughn does a great job creating a space that invites questions, different perspectives, and mistakes! Dr. Vaughn always walks in with the biggest smile, excited for the team to discuss the materials planned for the day. I love being a part of Research Team 11 and am so grateful to be a part of a group of such supportive people.
Juls Merenda
Being part of Leigh Ann Vaughn’s research team has been a really valuable experience for me. One thing I especially appreciate is how organized and structured the team is. Each class session has a clear purpose, which makes it easier to stay focused and know what I should be working on. Having that consistency has helped me become more comfortable with the research process while also encouraging me to think more deeply about what we are learning. I also really enjoy how welcoming and supportive the team environment is. Leigh Ann encourages us to ask questions, share our ideas, and learn through trial and error, which has made me feel more comfortable developing new research skills. I think the combination of structure and support creates an environment where students can actually grow and gain confidence as researchers. Overall, being part of her research team has been both challenging and rewarding, and I would definitely recommend the experience to other students who are interested in research.
Sonya Mukhina
Being on Leigh Ann’s team has been one of the best experiences in the major for me! Leigh Ann creates an extremely warm and supportive environment as a professor, always leaving room for creativity and personal thoughts for students to express. This class is very different from other psychology courses – you practice research hands-on, learn how to use SPSS, handle statistical analysis and work in a team. I believe this team truly gave me valuable insights into social psychology, real-life research, and an understanding of what I might want to pursue in the future!
Aya Oulida
Being on Leigh Ann’s team has truly been eye opening. I have had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in data interpretation and data analysis. In the lab we also focus heavily on sharpening writing skills. We learn how to work with SPSS, analyze data, and really understand what research looks like from start to finish. These skills have helped me better understand psychological research and generalize those skills in my other classes and internships as I move forward in my career. I have been able to create connections inside and outside of the classroom while discovering skills that will stay with me long after college. Leigh Ann creates a beautiful environment where you can learn, mess up, and most importantly laugh.
Elliott Painting
I am so grateful and glad to be on Research Team 11! Being able to work in such an engaging environment has been such a privilege while learning about social psychology. Being able to read important research, practice my writing and presenting skills, as well as collaborating with peers has led to such an immersive learning experience. I highly recommend this team to anyone interested in social psych as you’ll have a plethora of learning opportunities that will deeply benefit your educational experience here at IC.
Eva Planerova
Leigh Ann’s research team is definitely a great learning opportunity for those who are looking to brush up on their analysis and presentation skills. I have definitely benefited from the in class activities we do and the variety of skills which get practiced such as SPSS, interpretation of results, and overall getting into the flow of breaking down dense research articles. This is a very friendly environment where questions are very welcomed and I feel as if it’s a very good environment to have discourse about the topic at hand. It is only my first semester on research team so some of the things we have done have been a little daunting, but the team has a built in support system to help manage those needs and I have never been made to feel bad about not understating something 100%. This is a team meant for people who are open to dialogue about a variety of topics regarding social psychology and are ready to be pushed to do things they may have reservations with because this team is here to support you on this journey and help you in any way possible.
Mary Simpson
I am so happy I was able to return to Leigh Ann's team for a third semester. Research team has been one of my favorite experiences at Ithaca College helping to bring me out of my comfort zone and challenge me. The learning we do on team is all active and collaborative. Each week we are challenged to think critically about psychological research and learn new statistical methods. The workload is very consistent and manageable. We spend a lot of time breaking down and understanding research articles and psychological findings. We do weekly presentations which are super fun and have helped me feel more confident in myself. This class has given me the skills and experience to feel confident working with SPSS, writing abstracts, presenting research findings, and understanding research articles. These skills I have learned in team have helped me in all my other classes and experiences and I expect these skills to stay with me long after college. Research team can seem intimidating at first, but Leigh Ann creates a safe, comfortable, and collaborative environment where we can all learn and grow.