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).
Hailey Petrucci
Being on Leigh Ann’s research team has been a class like no other. I have significantly improved my SPSS knowledge, understanding of research articles, abstract writing skills, and appreciation of what it means to do psych research. Not only have I gained tangible and transferable skills, but I have also strengthened my collaboration skills through weekly group presentations. The workload is very manageable and never feels like busy work. The assignments are interesting and help me gain more proficiency with various psychological concepts. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with a close group on real research, and I feel lucky to be on a team that is full of laughs, teamwork, and purpose. Although it can sometimes be a little challenging, research team is always fun. Leigh Ann creates an environment with a perfect mix of collaboration, creativity, and learning.
Frank Haggerty
Our research team is a lot of fun. A lot of our time is spent talking about meaning behind psychology findings and how we ourselves interpret them. We also all participate in weekly presentations about certain topics we are currently learning about. These presentations have helped me grow academically and have made me much more comfortable talking about psychological findings from data that we analyze and run ourselves through SPSS. This course as a whole has helped me grow academically and allowed me to understand how to inform others, even those not in the field, about psychological findings. I got the opportunity to share our research at the Eastern Psychological Association conference in 2025, and would never have had the opportunity if I hadn’t been on this team.
Emma Heinze
Being part of Research Team 11 has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Ithaca College. Each week, we’re challenged to think critically about research, learn new statistical methods in SPSS, and tackle complex psychological questions — all in a space where curiosity and creativity are encouraged. Leigh Ann is not only an incredible professor but also a mentor who genuinely listens, supports, and pushes us to grow. The team culture is collaborative, fun, and inspiring, with every member contributing to an environment where learning feels exciting rather than intimidating. From presenting findings and writing abstracts to building strong connections with teammates, this experience has given me skills I know I’ll carry into both graduate school and my future career. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of a group where hard work and laughter always go hand in hand!
Leigh Naturale
My second semester being on research team has continued to branch me out of my shell while helping me learn even more about what being a researcher is like. Leigh Ann sets up the class so that you are able to collaborate with others while challenging you academically in a positive way. This class has deeply developed my knowledge about presenting, SPSS, writing abstracts, and working with others, which are things I haven’t felt confident about doing until now. It is such an interactive class which allows you to learn how to become comfortable with participating while developing friendships with the nicest people ever!
Sienna Berkheiser
My first semester on this research team has been a time of challenge and growth in a way I’ve had yet to experience in college. It’s given me invaluable experience in terms of my degree and career in psychology. This team will challenge you in only good ways that will build your skill set and give enhanced life experience. Whether it’s working with others on statistical presentations, or helping each other understand articles and commenting on abstracts, this class has a unique and inclusive format that helps build one’s skill set. At first glance it sounded terrifying, but Leigh Ann does a great job at making it a safe and comfortable environment where we can learn and receive comments in a positive manner. This team allows me to grow as a person in a way that other classes cannot provide. Not only that, but you get to learn the applications of content and apply it in real time with peers. Leigh Ann is also very receptive to our opinions and feedback and caters the course to the best of her ability to what will help us succeed.
Noelle Setzer
This is my last semester as a member of research team 11 and I’m so sad to be leaving! This class has been a fantastic way to familiarize myself with reading and breaking down studies and articles. The work we do on team builds great experience with research, especially APA style citations. While I was initially very intimidated by research team, I’ve grown to really enjoy the sense of community that we create. The work is fulfilling and interesting, and Leigh Ann is a wonderful mentor. She establishes consistent communication between her and the team members and is constantly rooting for our success. Everyone on research team 11 works hard to make team a safe, collaborative, conversation-starting class.
Christian Canete
This would be my second semester on team, and when I tell you Research Team 11 has been the most engaging, challenging, and enjoyable course I have ever been in, I’d still say that’s a gross understatement. Imagine gathering the kindest, funniest, most creative people into one room, all bonded by their passion of researching social and personality psychology, and then have them be mentored by one of the most charismatic professors on this planet. Through the rigorous flow of the class we learn every necessary skill you would ever need when working with and presenting research, like analyzing data and public speaking. But somehow, even though I knew how to do none of that, learning to do it with them has been the best time of my life. Leigh Ann, with her marvel of a brain, can take the most daunting walls of text I have ever seen and break it down in a way so she helps us generate and uplift our own ideas. I swear every time I leave class I feel like we just solved the Da Vinci Code. And it’s not just Leigh Ann doing the heavy lifting, the past members also become our peer mentors and they teach us the ropes on how to have fun with the class. For example, our weekly presentations about statistics sounds overwhelming on paper (it certainly got me sweating when I first heard about it), but once our mentors showed us how wild we can get with the creativity my excitement just went through the roof and my anxiety just washed away. You wouldn’t believe how we were able to relate a multiple regression analysis to American Psycho, or relative effect sizes and significant data to the “Brat” album by Charlie XCX. And no matter how silly it all may have seemed, I have never felt more prepared presenting at EPA 2025 alongside the best team in the world! In all, while we still get to learn incredibly relevant skills for our future professional lives, Research Team 11 makes it really exciting, and I truly feel lucky to be part of its legacy <3
Rachel Brody
Research Team 11 has been the highlight of my college academic journey. I am consistently enthralled by the conversations we have and the work we do as it is constantly helping me to think deeply about how we interact in the world and our society as humans. It also provides invaluable experience and skills that I plan to carry to future academic and professional endeavors. The assignments and discussions aren’t always easy, but the team culture is very supportive and collaborative making the workload easier to tackle. Beyond that, this team is a safe space full of incredible people guided by a compassionate and collaborative professor, Leigh Ann.