The change suggests a wider cultural acceptance of the “sinister” hand preference, and offers representation for lefty fans of the beloved animated films.

The findings, “Princess hands: Handedness of protagonists versus antagonists in Disney’s ‘Princess’ animated movies,” were recently published in the academic journal .

Main findings

• Before about 1992, princesses were more right-handed than villains. Over time, princesses got more left-handed, while villains’ handedness stayed the same.
• In general, the characters were less strongly handed than in real life — most would be considered ambidextrous by the researchers’ definitions.
• Tiana (“The Princess and the Frog”) and Belle (“Beauty and the Beast”), both princesses, are the most left-handed; Villains Jafar (“Aladdin”), Dr. Facilier (“The Princess and the Frog”) and Namaari (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) were also left-handed.
• Mor’Du (“Brave”) and Maleficent (“Sleeping Beauty”) — both villains — were identified strongly right-handed.

More about the study

The research team, which included two undergraduate students at Montclair, examined hand use of princesses and villains in 13 official Disney Princess movies. They counted how many times each princess or villain performed various activities with one hand or the other, using three different handedness questionnaires including the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI).

“Our goal was to see if villains were more left-handed than princesses because culturally, evil is associated with the left-handed, and whether any left-evil associations had changed over time, given changes in culture,” says Ruth Propper, lead researcher and professor of Psychology.

Each Disney princess and villain was assigned a handedness score (-100 being perfectly lefty and +100 perfectly righty) and the results show that over time, princesses have become less right-handed, especially after about 1992, while villains have remained stable in their handedness.

Overall, the characters were much less right-handed than the human population.

What the researchers say

Prior to 1992, Propper explains, princesses were more right-handed than villains, while after 1992 princesses became more left-handed than villains.

So, what changed?

“We suspect that there are many factors at play here.” Propper says. “One possibility is that around the early 1990s the ‘Nine Old Men,’ the animators responsible for most Disney movies from the 1930s to the 1990s, retired.

“It’s possible that the new animators who were hired had less bias against left-handedness, as cultural views about lefties had changed. Certainly there are likely pragmatic reasons as well, and we don’t know the actual handedness of the animators, which could also have been a factor.”

Why it matters

The research and methodology were inspired by existing research Propper encountered analyzing early 1900s documentary footage to estimate rates of left-handedness at that time. Propper and her research team took the innovative approach a step further, utilizing Disney princess films that offer clear distinctions between protagonists and antagonists and allow for meaningful comparisons across character types.

Additionally, “because the characters are animated, handedness is a deliberate choice made by animators, which may reflect cultural assumptions or biases, rather than simply the natural handedness of an actor,” Propper says. Since the Disney princess films span roughly 80 years, this also gave researchers an opportunity to examine potential cultural shifts over time.

Propper says this study demonstrates that research does not always need to be complex or highly technical. And, it speaks to representation.

“Left-handed individuals have often been described as lacking a clear cultural identity and may feel overlooked or negatively stereotyped,” says Propper. “Seeing left-handed traits reflected in familiar and beloved figures, such as Disney princesses, can contribute to a sense of inclusion and reduce feelings of isolation.”

The findings also suggest a societal shift over the last 80 years: left-handedness appears to be more accepted today than in the past, and is no longer associated with the same negative or stigmatized beliefs as it once was.

“These films are culturally iconic, widely recognized, and meaningful to many audiences, which makes them a relevant context for this type of analysis,” Propper says.

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Contact the Media Relations team to schedule an interview with the researcher about this topic. See more Faculty Experts and hi-res media assets available for download.

At the 11th Annual Women’s Leadership Alliance Conference on November 19, nearly 400 young women and girls — mostly high school scholars from across New Jersey — gathered at University Hall to hear from leaders, educators and alumni who understand the challenges and possibilities ahead. Their counsel was clear — your story matters, and the next chapter begins with believing in your potential.

Sponsored by the Future College Graduate Academy, Education Opportunity Fund Program and Office of Inclusive Excellence, the conference fosters leadership and career exploration by inspiring and equipping women to pursue meaningful career trajectories.

“The conference empowers women at every stage of their academic and professional journey by bringing together high school scholars, college scholars and professionals to learn, connect, and inspire one another,” says Montclair EOF Associate Director Katrina Liera.

Here, leaders and mentors from the event share more advice for all college hopefuls:

Finding Strength in Your Story

If you’re the first in your family to attend college and wonder if you’re smart or prepared enough or “college material,” Nicole Pulliam, a strategic higher education leader, certified executive coach and tenured professor, offers assurance that you belong.

“Your worth and potential are not measured by what you already know but by your courage to step into something no one in your family has ever done,” says Pulliam, Ph.D. in Counselor Education ’14. “Trust that you belong, even when the environment makes you question it. Surround yourself with support, ask questions, and allow yourself to learn along the way.”

Executive coach and professor Nicole Pulliam ’14, encourages attendees to embrace their authenticity and stories.

Advice to Inspire the Start of Your College Journey

In keeping with this year’s conference theme “Her Path Her Power: Honoring Every Woman’s Journey,” here’s more excellent advice for high schoolers from Pulliam:

• Your greatest power is owning your narrative— Your career path will have twists, turns, and moments of uncertainty, and that’s okay.
• You get to define what success looks like for you —Your path is powerful because it’s yours.
• You don’t have to have it all figured out to take the next step with confidence.
• Your story is your strength — Everything you’ve lived through is preparing you for what you’re becoming.

You are worthy. Always have been. Always will be. — Nicole Pulliam

Conference attendees react to fellow attendees walking the runway during a fashion show, which is a crowd favorite “not for the fashion, but for the celebration of one another,” says Angela White. “It’s a lesson of how powerful it is to let one another shine, even for just a short moment.”

How to Prepare for the College Application Process

Montclair EOF Counselor Angela White offers the following tips for high schoolers:

• Start planning early — Choose meaningful classes, get involved and stay organized.
• Build strong study habits now —The skills you develop in high school will carry you through college.
• You must believe that college is within reach.
• Stay focused and remember that there are teachers, mentors and higher education professionals rooting for your success every step of the way.
• Embrace who you are — Be your authentic self in academics, activities and socially.
• Let your passions and strengths guide your future career — Even if it feels far away, trust that you are already on your path to greatness.

“It was just explosive, happy, positive energy,” says Jayme Ganey, left, who encouraged many participants to walk the runway to hype the crowd.

Advice for All Ages and Life Stages

Jayme Ganey, engagement specialist for Inclusive Excellence Programs, Office of the President, reminds students and professionals alike:

• We’re all leaders; you don’t need a title to be one.
• Never dim your light, ever.
• Always remember who lifted you, and make sure you lift others.
• Change is a constant, inevitable, beautiful force of nature. Embrace it, use it, create it.
• Don’t be afraid. Someone needs what you have to give. Don’t be the obstacle in the way of their receiving it. Be a vessel.
• Laugh and have fun as much as humanly possible — and get your work done.

Hundreds of high school scholars from across New Jersey gathered at University Hall to hear from professionals who understand the challenges and possibilities ahead.

Starting Your Journey at Montclair

There are many advantages to enrolling at ����vlog, such as affordability and accessibility to New York City (a mere 12 miles away). Montclair is a nationally recognized “Dream School” with higher-than-expected graduation rates, personalized belonging programs and meaningful career pathways. It is also among the Top 30 public institutions in the nation, according to The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings and the No. 1 public institution in New Jersey.

Ready to Begin Your Montclair Story?

Explore our nationally ranked programs, visit campus, or apply today.

Under the agreement, Nexus will help Montclair expand its brand reach and revenue potential through traditional retail and eCommerce channels. The firm will also develop and execute a strategic, integrated plan to protect and manage the University’s name and marks, as well as enhance its retail strategy through customized promotions on campus and beyond.

“�ѴDzԳٳ���������’s brand and reputation are very valuable assets. To help us expand its reach – and protect against unauthorized uses – we have established a formal trademarks licensing program,” says Joseph Brennan, vice president for communications and marketing. “We look forward to working with Nexus to build a program that will be a win-win for the University and our partners.”

“We are thrilled to begin our work with ����vlog,” says Brian Young, Founder & CEO, Nexus Licensing Group. “As the second-largest university in New Jersey, and with strong brand recognition across the region and beyond, we believe there is great potential for a comprehensive consumer products program that engages �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s constituents both near and far.”

Fusing Art and Neuroscience: The Zebrafish Project

Assistant Professor of Biology Thomas Mueller, who uses zebrafish as a research model to study human affective disorders, approached Professor of Art and Design Cathy Bebout, head of printmaking, with an invitation for the collaboration.

Mueller’s work focuses on the amygdala’s role in regulating fear and anxiety in the brain. “Zebrafish is really a very important genetic model organism,” he explained. “It shares around 70% of genetic similarities with humans and about 80% of the diseased genes that you find in humans have a counterpart in zebrafish.”

Following a presentation of Mueller’s research, students were challenged to create artwork inspired by scientific imagery. The resulting prints, produced through collaboration and layering, mirrored the investigative process of scientific discovery.

“There’s a relationship between this collaborative way of working and a scientific process,” said Adjunct Art Professor Bridget McGuire. “It’s experimental. It was an interesting investigation and felt like a research collaboration.”

Senior Lindsey Scheier, a Visual Communication Design major, found inspiration in the abstract nature of emotions: “Dr. Mueller’s presentation made me think about abstraction, and how to convey fear through abstraction. It felt too literal to print a fish, so I tried to explore what the shapes and colors of fear might feel like, especially for such a tiny creature.”

Bebout emphasized the project’s educational impact: “This project uses art and science as a teaching tool, fostering dialogue and learning between disciplines while demonstrating the arts’ power to drive engagement and social change.”

From Data to Design: The Creative Process

Under the guidance of Montclair faculty, students transformed scientific data and microscopic images into artwork now on exhibition at�� Finley Gallery. The scientific research generated vibrant images of neurons and neural circuits in zebrafish brains, inspiring a unique approach to artistic expression.

“It shows up in the brain as color, so that’s why you see all this brilliant color on display,” Bebout said about the students’ artwork. “The students, in the beginning, were like zebrafish too; I could see a lot of fear and emotion. As artists, we get these ideas in our head about what we see. And for the students, it was sort of like groping in the dark in the beginning, and then things started to develop.”

The students’ work emerged from several “print jams,” intense printmaking marathons where Illustration, Visual Communication Design, Visual Arts, and Art Education majors collaborated. The final exhibition, “Zebrafish and the Art of Fear: A Creative Inquiry into Memory and Emotion,” showcases a range of abstract and literal interpretations.

The exhibition is part of a month-long, multi-faceted series of events that included animated projections featuring zebrafish in both the Finley Gallery and the lobby of Irvin D. Reid Hall, an Art Forum discussion with London artist Andrew Carnie, who specializes in science-based works, an Art and Science Symposium featuring renowned neuroscientists, Koichi Kawakami, of the National Institute of Genetics in Mishima, Japan, and New York University Professor Joseph E. LeDoux, director of NYU’s Emotional Brain Institute.

Senior Visual Arts major Grace Whitaker incorporated fish eyes into her prints, while other students took a more abstract approach. Scheier described the process as both challenging and rewarding. “Screen-printing being such an experimental art form encouraged learning through doing. It was a great opportunity for creative exchange, as we all shared and taught each other new techniques along the way.”

Art Professor Sharon Lindenfeld echoed this sentiment: “You learn from what you just printed and then you try something different in the next one, much like a scientific process. Working this way creates tension and feelings of anxiety and fear, relating back to the research.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Interdisciplinary Collaboration

For many participants, this project marked their first time working across disciplines. “I’ve never worked collaboratively like this, so it was such a cool experience,” McGuire said. “There’s a relationship between this collaborative way of working and a scientific process, it’s very experimental. It creates tension, almost a feeling of anxiety and fear, again relating back to the research.”

Science and art faculty members are already planning future interdisciplinary collaborations. “This is the startup of a major endeavor and future collaborations,” said Mueller.

Bebout highlighted the broader impact: “The art will help to promote science and get people’s attention, so they want to know more.”

“And make neuroscience accessible to the wider public and maybe inspire students in the arts and high school students to pursue a career in these scientific sciences or in the arts,” Mueller added.

“I believe art and science are closely connected and more focus should be placed on their collaboration,” Scheier said. “I’m excited to see more partnerships between departments in the future.”

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Prospective Student or Parent? Learn more about Visual Arts, Visual Communication Design or other College of the Arts programs or plan a visit to our campus and take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk.

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Backstage also cited the College of the Arts’ dance theater program and the success of Josh Dela Cruz, host of Blues Clues & You! and Montclair’s proximity to New York City in its ranking.

The recognition highlights Montclair’s success in launching alumni into thriving careers on Broadway, television and film.

“We’re pleased that Backstage has recognized our program and the accomplishments of our alumni,” says Associate Professor Heather Benton, head of �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s BFA Acting program. “Our professors are working actors and directors with strong reputations among casting professionals. We believe there isn’t just one way to work as an actor – and we train our students accordingly.”

“Montclair allowed me to stress-test my process and set me up to handle the life of a professional actor.”

~ Kira Player ’22, cast member of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child on Broadway

What Sets �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s Acting Program Apart

Students at Montclair benefit from a dynamic, holistic program designed to prepare them for the demands of today’s entertainment industry:

• Diverse Training: Techniques include Meisner, Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Viewpoints, Suzuki and the Lucid Body method, in which Benton received certification.
• Film & TV Readiness: Classes in acting for the camera, opportunities for self-taping and for direction and feedback through a collaboration with �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s School of Communication and Media.
• Career Prep: Mock auditions, workshops and a senior-year showcase featuring panels of NYC casting directors and agents who provide feedback.
• Physical and Vocal Training: Emphasis on movement (including clown, combat, world dance, Viewpoints and Suzuki) and the actor-friendly Miller Voice Method, taught by two MvM-certified teachers.
• Industry Access: Located just 12 miles from NYC, students work with professional playwrights, directors and casting agents. Partnerships include a three-year residency with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The BFA program is curated�� so that students are introduced to the many aspects of training that are strongest for actors. “The philosophy behind that is that students go through these immersive techniques so that by the time they get to their senior year, they have this enormous toolbox of techniques. It gives students the agency to learn, to choose and to curate their own unique individual process,” Benton says. “The reason that this is important is because that’s the business right now.”

Alumni Success on Stage and Screen

The rigor of �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s curated curriculum is evident through the success of its alumni, including proud alumni, who is currently a cast member in Harry Potter & the Cursed Child on Broadway.

“The gifts from my training at Montclair that I most consistently use are the focus on diligence and the familiarity with most major acting techniques,” says Player, BFA ’19. “My professors instilled in me the importance of finding a process for yourself, of being specific and granular in that process, of being adaptable and imaginative.”

Ultimately, she said, “Montclair’s approach of learning a new technique every year allowed me to stress-test my process and set me up to handle the life of a professional actor.”

Recent graduate, who is touring nationally with Stomp!, agreed that Montclair faculty prepares students by challenging them to work hard and anticipate the inevitable challenges of an acting career.

Robinson, BFA ’24, earned a coveted spot on the Stomp! tour after multiple auditions and beating out an initial pool of more than 1,000 actors.

“The program prepares you,” Robinson says. “So, when I hear about all of the alumni success that comes from the school, it makes sense because the teachers really do light that fire in their students.”

Other distinguished alumni of the acting program include:

• Nathan Angelo ’24 – Broadway debut in Here Lies Love, the first all-Filipino cast on Broadway.
• ’22 – Appeared in the 2023 film No Hard Feelings! with Jennifer Lawrence.
• ’17– Actor and filmmaker known for The Girl in the Woods (2021), Freaky (2020) and The Goldfinch (2019).

With an ever-evolving curriculum that blends tradition with innovation, ����vlog continues to be a top destination for aspiring actors looking to build lasting careers in theatre, film and television.

Are you a…��

Prospective Student or Parent? Learn more about the Theater/Acting, Musical Theater, Theater Studies or�� or other College of the Arts programs or plan a visit to our campus and take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk.

Journalist?

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Highlights from the 2025 Best Online Programs Rankings:

• �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program is ranked No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in New Jersey. The education programs survey also ranked certain specialty areas, including Educational Administration and Supervision, in which the University also ranked at No. 13.
• �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s ranked at No. 100 in the nation. The , Master of Science in Digital Marketing Analytics and Master of Science in Human Resources Analytics programs ranked at No. 61 in the nation, up 10 spots from 2024.
• The University’s Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Applied Information Technology (Professional Science Master’s) is ranked No. 50.
• The University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, launched in 2018, had another substantial increase, improving nearly 20 spots to No. 58 and ranked No. 2 in New Jersey.

U.S. News & World Report program rankings are based on scores from five categories – student engagement, services and technologies, student excellence, faculty credentials and training, and opinions of academic experts.

“We recognize that no two pathways to a degree are alike, and our educational options reflect that reality,” says Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales. “These latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report are demonstrative of our efforts to be leaders in offering curricula that best serves the 21st-century student. We are honored to be ranked among some of the best online degree programs in the country.”

Montclair’s Online Program Offerings

Montclair also offers several other online graduate degree and certificate options designed to equip working professionals with career-enhancing skills, including:

• A Master of Arts in Child Advocacy and Policy
• A low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Dance
• A Master of Arts in Social Research and Data Analysis
• A Master of Arts in Mathematics Education
• A Master of Science in Accounting
• A Master of Social Work
• Graduate certificate and certification programs in advocacy, business, education and technology for those who want to build out or update skills to enhance their careers.

For more information on all of ����vlog’s online graduate programs, visit montclair.edu/online. Learn more about �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s rankings by visiting .

An employee of ����vlog’s Shuttle Services, Rivers was driving a student from their convocation ceremony on Sprague Field when they got to talking about going back to school as adults. The student was Alicia Tucker, who had just graduated with her bachelor’s in Economics and was set to start a role as graduate assistant for �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s Degree Completion Program.

Rivers had an associate degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling under his belt from Essex Community College in Newark, dating back two decades. Between working, raising a family and the loss of his oldest son, Frank Jr., while serving in Iraq, Rivers (himself an Army veteran) said he simply lost his place and never thought he would find his way back into the classroom.

Until that chance encounter with Tucker. At the time, the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies accelerated degree program from University College had launched just months prior in fall 2021, offering adult learners over the age of 25 the opportunity to return to college. The first cohort to complete the program walked across the stage at the May 2023 Commencement and to date, 75 students have graduated.

Never Too Late

Tucker says that Rivers, like many other students in the program, showed a desire to finish what they had started.

“I told him how I started my own degree at 38 years old, so I understood the challenges of wanting to finish a degree as an adult,” says Tucker, who went on to earn her master’s in Higher Education and is now Academic Advisor for the Degree Completion Program. The two connected over their shared experience serving in the military – Rivers in the Army and Tucker in the Air Force – and she made sure to stay in touch, sharing her successes so that he would be encouraged to start his own journey.

“I told him that I would never steer a brother in arms wrong.”

It was quite the pep talk, Rivers agrees. By that fall, he was enrolled.

Frank Rivers is an employee of the University’s Transportation Services. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

‘I’m Not a Quitter’

With a military background, lessons from his counseling background and years of experience raising two sons as a single father (as young boys, they lost their mother to lupus) Rivers knew he had the self-discipline skills necessary to conquer his fears about re-learning study habits and juggling life with work and classes.

Rivers rolled from one completed course to the next, taking advantage of the flexible program’s fully online offerings and eight-week terms. When tragedy struck again and he lost various family members, including his mother, Rivers had a pep talk of his own at the ready to stay on track.

“I’m ex-military, I’m not a quitter. And this is not all for me, it’s for my family as well. It’s not just Frank, it’s the entire Rivers family,” says Rivers.

Reflecting on his chat with Tucker, Rivers marveled at how one friendly conversation on the road put him on a new life path. “It was a blessing to be led here,” says Rivers. “If I can come back, all of us have the opportunity one way or the other. You just have to have the strong will and desire to not stop and say ‘I can.’ Succeeding doesn’t mean you come out on top, you just have to move from where you are.”

When Rivers walks across the stage at Prudential Center on January 13, it will be a full circle moment that began on another celebratory day just a few years ago. And he plans to pay it forward; Rivers says he is looking into the Child Advocacy master’s program with the goal of helping those in need.

“I want to put myself in a position where I’m able to give back to the community and my family,” says Rivers. “It didn’t look like there’d be daylight for me, but where there’s a will there’s a way.”

A chance encounter on one of Montclair’s shuttles put Frank Rivers back on the path to a college degree. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

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Montclair is one of only 19 institutions in the country to receive funding that will be utilized to increase and strengthen culturally specific programming.

Over the course of four years, Montclair will utilize the funding to enhance campus communication, expand training, and provide specialized education for students. The efforts will be led by Yolanda Alvarez, Associate Dean for the Office of the Dean of Students and Adela Caceres, Director of the Office for Social Justice and Diversity.

“By incorporating culturally specific strategies, we ensure that responses to sexual violence are not only compassionate yet relevant to the diverse identities and experiences of those affected,” says Caceres. “This approach promotes prevention education while providing the necessary support for individuals to heal and thrive.”

�ѴDzԳٳ���������’s Commitment to Wellness

Dedicated to creating a holistic experience that builds skills in self-advocacy, social responsibility, belonging and personal wellness, Montclair and SDCL provide extensive resources and educational opportunities for students, faculty and staff to help ensure a safe and inclusive campus environment.

Comprehensive resources for community members include:

Campus Resources

• Confidential Resources (for students)
• Counseling and Psychological Services (for students)
• Title IX and Sexual Violence Resources (for students and employees)
• CONCERN Behavioral and Management Solutions (for University employees)

Community Resources

• Essex County SAVE Center
• Passaic County Women’s Center

“We are deeply honored to receive this transformative grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women,” says Dawn Meza Soufleris, Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life. “This funding will allow us to expand vital education and outreach efforts, particularly for underserved populations, ensuring that every member of our ����vlog community feels supported and safe.

“Being one of only 19 institutions nationwide to receive this funding underscores our commitment to fostering a campus environment that prioritizes prevention, empowerment, and culturally responsive care.”

I’m a ______, tell me more…

Prospective Student / Parent: Plan a visit to our campus and take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk!
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The project, titled The Effectiveness of Psychoeducational Counseling in STEM Internship and Research Experiences, will be led by an interdisciplinary team and will seek to:

• Increase participation in high-quality STEM experiential learning opportunities across Montclair
• Embed professional group counseling into internships and research experiences to create opportunities with socio-emotional support
• Generate knowledge on the impacts of this counseling intervention on students, faculty mentors and program coordinators at a federally designated HSI.

The project will be led by Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Nina Goodey and a team of co-PIs including PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies (PSEG ISS) Green Teams Director Amy Tuininga, Associate Professor of Counseling Michael Hannon and Dean of �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s College of Science and Mathematics Lora Billings.

The project has strong support from the University’s administration and contributes their HSI expertise as senior personnel. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Junius Gonzales, brings his expertise in Hispanic students’ mental health and commitment to reduce equity gaps for student achievement and grow student internship and research opportunities. Milton Fuentes, Department of Psychology and MSU Provost’s Higher Education Academic Leadership Fellow, brings to the project a deep understanding of Hispanic students, mental health, and expertise in Latinx, multicultural, and family psychology.

About the Institutional Transformation Project

While students benefit from internship experiences, Tuininga and Goodey were keenly aware of how internships often lacked the elements required for students with a breadth of identities and life experiences to feel a sense of belonging, particularly in STEM fields.

“Mature scientists know that STEM projects often involve setbacks and that embracing these challenges, with responsive support, can lead to persistence and unexpected scientific breakthroughs,” says Goodey. “The magnitude of these challenges can exacerbate psychological distress for all researchers, and particularly those with less experience and who are still adjusting to and embracing their STEM career identities.”

From 2022-2024, they partnered with Hannon to add weekly psychoeducational group counseling sessions for the interns in �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s Green Teams program facilitated by PhD Counseling students, who are professional counselors.

“The PSEG ISS is pleased to lead innovation in best practices for responsive and inclusive internship experiences, like mental health support for young people that is much needed, particularly after COVID,” says Tuininga.

After its success and as part of this project, they plan to expand the services to students in CSAM’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program in the coming years.

Now, the team will work to quantify the impact of group counseling on internship and research participants and expand the program across Montclair with additional support from �ѴDzԳٳ���������’s Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales.

“Mental health support and education is key to supporting wellness, productivity, and managing stress in both research and education,” says Billings. “This project will empower all students to persist in STEM and holistically prepare them to succeed in the future workforce. ����vlog is proud to be a leader in quantifying the value of the mental health support services.”

“The inclusion of counseling support for students participating in these internship and research experiences is exactly the kind of proactive, preventative services that all students deserve. The award from the National Science Foundation positions our institution to be innovative in disrupting exclusion in higher education and to be holistically responsive to student needs. We are hopeful that the comprehensive scope of services will be nothing short of transformational for the students, for those of us privileged to engage with and serve them, and for ����vlog,” says Hannon.

Photo by University Staff Photographer Mike Peters.

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Prospective Student / Parent: Plan a visit to our campus and take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk!
Journalist: Contact the Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview with the researcher about this topic. See more Faculty Experts and hi-res media assets available for download.

This research is supported by the National Science Foundation HSI Program under , which aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden participation in STEM, and build capacity at HSIs. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In the research study, titled and published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, the young participants were asked to describe and recall routes from two perspectives: survey (viewing a marked path on a map) and route (viewing video of someone walking inside a virtual reality maze). After viewing the map and video, the children were asked to give directions about the route.

This research study was conducted by doctoral student Nardin Yacoub, Laura Lakusta��and Jennifer Yang from the Psychology Department’s .

Why it matters

Having a better understanding of navigational preferences between sexes could help design training programs to improve children’s spatial skills. It may also provide educators and caregivers with better tools to teach children how to give and understand directions.

For example, the findings show it may be more useful to teach children to use maps than watch someone else navigate. Educators and parents may also pay more attention to how accurately children use direction words (e.g., left, right), whether children correctly identify useful landmarks and how children combine direction words and landmark words.

Looking ahead, the findings also shed light on the individual differences in spatial navigation in children. It in turn could help bridge the gender gap, especially in STEM-related fields.

What the researchers say

The study was inspired by the researchers’ desire to understand how cognitive abilities develop differently between boys and girls, and has the potential to aid parents and educators in enhancing their children’s spatial skills.

“Our findings provide insights into the broader claims regarding gender differences in spatial and language skills,” says Yacoub, PhD candidate at the University and one of the authors of the study. “Interestingly, our results demonstrated that from ages 3 to 10 years, boys give more accurate directions than girls, and both boys’ and girls’ directions are more precise when using bird’s eye view maps compared to a first-person perspective.

“It is important to note that these differences were only found when children were asked to describe the route while watching the video or viewing the map. There were no differences between boys and girls when the participants were asked to recall the routes from memory later on.”

I’m a ______, tell me more…

Prospective Student / Parent: Learn more about the Psychology program at ����vlog, plan a visit to our campus and take your first step in applying to become a Red Hawk!

Journalist: Contact the Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview with the researchers of this study. See more Faculty Experts and hi-res media assets available for download.