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
This team is perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in social psychology research and learn skills that will help you succeed in the classroom and in future professional settings. The work can be detailed and meticulous, but that has helped me gain experience in statistical analysis, interpreting scientific articles, and strengthened my presentation and communication skills. Collaborating with classmates on research tasks and engaging in thoughtful discussions has strengthened my understanding of the research process and how psychological studies are designed and presented. Professor Vaughn has been meaningful because of her enthusiasm and passion for social psychology. 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 highly recommend this team to anyone that is interested in a safe learning environment that pushes you out of your comfort zone.
Chase Brechbiel
Research team for my second semester has been the most rewarding and challenging class I have ever taken. It has continued to push me out of my comfort zone while giving me a safe space to share ideas. The work we do feels important and aims to help everyone grow every class. Through team, I have improved my presentation skills, knowledge of SPSS, abstracts, and understanding of articles. I have had the chance to go to EPA 2026, which was amazing for my professional development and experience. Leigh Ann creates a safe and comfortable space so that we can work through things together. Although team can feel a little intimidating, 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, enriching academic experiences I’ve had at Ithaca College. Dr. Vaughn has created a strong structure within the team with clear expectations while still leaving plenty of room for engaging conversations that promote genuine curiosity and creative thinking. As a first semester team member I felt immediately welcome and quickly became attuned to said structure. The mentorship embedded within the team played a vital role in this as the built-in guidance made my introduction to the team less intimidating and collaborative on a more individual level. The camaraderie within the team has motivated me to enhance my skills and contribute to the findings of our research. Within my short time on the team, I have seen an exponential growth in my presenting and analytical skills. I am not only able to interpret research more fluently, but I am also able to communicate it effectively.
Emma Dessureau
There are many fantastic things to say about being on Leigh Ann Vaughn’s research team. Her team has a wonderful structure; you know exactly what to expect from each class period and what is expected of you in turn. I found this predictability extremely comforting. I always had a good sense of what we were working on, and the terms we used were always well-defined in my head. Leigh Ann also cultivates a supportive and fun team environment in which you are encouraged to ask questions and make mistakes. It is easy to learn and grow in an environment like that. Being a member of Research Team 11 has been incredibly rewarding and has afforded me many wonderful experiences. I would recommend it to just about anyone.
Elizabeth Edmonds
The dynamic of Leigh Ann’s research team is nothing like any class I’ve been in before. It is my second semester on research team and I feel that my SPSS knowledge, ability to present, understanding of reading studies, and writing abstracts has grown even more. An opportunity that Leigh Ann’s research team provided me this semester was the ability to present our findings at the Eastern Psychological Association’s conference. Presenting at a professional conference made me more confident in my ability to present research. The team allows for open discussion of findings and connecting those findings to things outside of the psychology world. Also, there is an emphasis on collaboration inside and outside the classroom. Overall, being on Leigh Ann’s research team allows you to be challenged while still being engaged in and enjoying the material and highly recommend joining.
Spencer Ellis
As I approach the end of my senior year, I can honestly say that my experience on Research Team 11 has been one of the highlights of my college experience. Being on this team has allowed me to build confidence and cultivate my strengths as both a student and a budding professional in ways I never could have imagined. After nearly two semesters of dissecting and critically analyzing research articles with my teammates, writing abstracts, using SPSS, and collaborating on weekly group presentations, I can see how these experiences have gradually scaffolded my skills and pushed me to grow in ways that felt challenging initially but ultimately incredibly rewarding. One of my favorite parts of this class, and one that makes it stand out from others, is its interactive nature. The way the class is structured gives you a chance to work with and get to know everyone (at some point or another). There is always someone there to offer guidance or mentorship, whether that’s Leigh Ann or another team member, and there are many opportunities to form bonds/friendships with one another. It really does feel like a team. That sense of community, along with the unique perspectives and experiences each person brings, is a huge part of what makes me excited to come every day.
Camilla Hill
During my second semester on Research Team, I continued to grow as a researcher, collaborator, and presenter. Recently, our team had the opportunity to attend and present at the Eastern Psychological Association Annual Convention, which was an invaluable experience both academically and professionally. In Research Team, the workload is manageable and consistent from week to week. It mainly consists of reading relevant research articles and our weekly statistical analysis presentations. Being on Research Team has improved my critical thinking, SPSS, and analysis skills greatly. Although this may sound daunting, it doesn’t feel like busy work, and Leigh Ann makes sure to create an environment that is both welcoming and exciting, and questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Juls Merenda
Being part of Leigh Ann Vaughn’s research team has been an incredibly valuable experience. One of the things that stands out most is the thoughtful structure she brings to the team. Each class session is organized in a way that makes it easy to stay focused and understand what you should be working on. That consistency helped me feel confident about the research process while also keeping me engaged and actively thinking about the concepts we were learning. At the same time, the team environment is welcoming and collaborative. Leigh Ann encourages curiosity, discussion, and learning through trial and error, which makes it much easier to ask questions and develop new skills. The balance of clear guidance and supportive mentorship creates a space where students can genuinely grow as researchers. Overall, being on her research team is both challenging and rewarding, and it’s an opportunity I would highly recommend to students interested in research.
Aya Oulida
Being on Leigh Ann’s team has truly been comforting. I immediately felt at home not only with Leigh Ann, but with both the old and new members as well. To perform your best, it is important that the people around you support you when you make a mistake, but most importantly when you succeed. That is the environment the social psychology team provides. On this team, we also gain hands-on experience with research in a way that goes far beyond what we typically see in normal class. 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. Every class Leigh Ann walks in with a bright smile and we all lighten up and get ready for the material of the day. Leigh Ann’s team is a wonderful place to be, and I am so grateful to have met such bright and supportive people on the team.
Elliott Painting
Joining Leigh Ann’s research team was a decision that I am so happy I made. Being able to work in a space that values teamwork and high quality of work has helped me thrive and become a better student while being able to study social psychology work that is truly captivating. My research team experience has already been productive and educational beyond expectations. I have been able to craft assignments that further my understanding of research, I have been able to practice my presentation skills, and I have been able to meet and work alongside students and an awesome professor that shares the same educational interests as me. I look forward to being able to present the team's work at Whalen later this semester and show other Ithaca College students what Research Team 11 is all about!
Lauren Plunkett
For me, research team has been such a cool experience! The thing I enjoy most from being a part of Leigh Ann’s research team is the Stat Mages, which are a way to collaborate with you classmates and dive into research as a group. Creativity is also highly encouraged in this research team, and it has been extremely beneficial to me to have an outlet to be creative in an academic setting. Working specifically on social psychology, I have been able to broaden my horizons on the type of psychology I have been studying, and it is easily applicable to other branches of psychology as well. We have also been granted opportunities to create and present the research at multiple locations, which builds up resume level experiences. The bonds I have built with my research teammates and Leigh Ann have been crucial to my joy of being on team and learning to a fulfilling extent!
Mary Simpson
My second semester on research team has brought me even more out of my comfort zone and has really helped me grow. Research team challenges me in every way and has given me an invaluable experience. 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 have weekly presentations which are super fun and have strengthened my collaboration and communication. This class continues to enhance my knowledge of SPSS, writing abstracts, presenting, and understanding research articles. Research team gave me the opportunity to present at the Eastern Psychological Association annual conference, which gave me experience in a professional setting. Research team can seem intimidating, but Leigh Ann creates a safe, comfortable, and collaborative environment where we can all learn and grow.