UNITE Lab

About Us

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.

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).

UNITE Labbers

Aleksandra "Aleks" Kozak

Fall 2024 - present

Amanda Hamel

Fall 2023 - present

Ava Bjelka

Fall 2023 - present

Christina Poirier

Spring 2024 - present

Gianna "Gia" Quintana

Fall 2024 - present

Isabelle "Izzy" Berube

Fall 2024 - present

Jenna Costa

Spring 2025 - present

Katherine "Kat" Dempsey

Spring 2024 - present

Magdalene Corradino

Fall 2024 - present

Michele Chu

Fall 2023 - present

Sophia Rogers

Spring 2023 - present

Talia Torrens

Fall 2024 - present

Not Pictured: Gabriela Gomez (Fall 2023-present), Raegan Doyle (Fall 2024-present)

Photo Gallery

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!

UNITE Lab Alumni

Abigail "Abby" Wilk

Spring 2023 - Spring 2024

Aliana Zepeda

Fall 2024

Ashley Piney

Spring 2023

D-Amini "Dia" Graham

Fall 2023

Fabiola "Fabbie" Millien-Faustin

Spring 2023

Katrina Brown

Spring 2023 - Fall 2023

Kayla Verga

Summer 2023

Kirsten St. Aubin

Spring 2024

Lauren Simak

Spring 2023

Nicholas Granja

Spring 2023 - Spring 2024

Noelle Debrot

Spring 2023 - Fall 2023

Samantha Cavalea

Fall 2023

Sarah Hanslin

Fall 2023

Not Pictured: Casey Russell (Spring 2023)

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