Hi, I'm Jackie.

I'm an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Illinois State University. 

As a former high school teacher, I value the lived experiences of students and educators, which is why my interdisciplinary (developmental and educational) research is often grounded in community-engaged approaches. 

My research aims to understand and promote critical consciousness development, which involves peoples' understanding of systemic oppression and their action to dismantle it. I am especially interested in how schools can foster critical consciousness in students and adults. I also work with high school Psychology teachers to design and implement the Ready Through Research program, which positions high school students to be competent researchers within their school community. To learn more about the DARE and RTR labs that I run at ISU, please visit my lab website.  

I received a PhD in Psychology from NC State University in May 2024, where I was a proud advocate for pregnant and parenting students.