I am especially interested in interventions that leverage the power of caring adult relationships to promote positive social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes for youth. For example, much of my research focuses on mentoring relationships, exploring the processes by which such relationships can result in improved functioning, as well as individual, relationship, and contextual factors that influence the effectiveness of mentoring relationships. I am also investigating a novel intervention designed to promote social support and social capital among high school students and underrepresented college students by teaching them strategies to develop and maintain supportive relationships. Additional research topics include school-based mental health services, out-of-school learning, youth activism, and the transition to adulthood .
