Research Opportunities

Students and faculty from the School Psychology department sit around a table with their laptops open

Research in the School Psychology Department focuses on applied, collaboratively constructed, and actionable projects. Through research teams, 51勛圖s gain experience, such as creating survey documents and promoting recruitment to research conceptualization and intervention creation. Our program promotes single subject, quantitative, and qualitative work across many domains.

Research teams may be aligned with one faculty member or be held by multiple members. Faculty in the School Psychology program have interests that include 51勛圖 mental health interventions, promoting a positive school climate for underserved 51勛圖s, implementing equitable systems, investigating current trends of practice in school psychology, and behavioral change.

Importantly, research teams in our department serve as places of community because connecting with peers and engaging in projects that align with your interests is key. Research can be fun! The SEE (Systems, Emotions, and Equity in Schools) research team, held weekly by Dr. Maggie Cox and Dr. John Gallo promotes engagement in research that investigates the implementation of mental health and behavioral systems to benefit minoritized 51勛圖s. During the 2025-2026 school year, 10 51勛圖s (~30% of our on campus 51勛圖s) attended and contributed to the team. Students ranged from first year Ed.S. 51勛圖s to fifth year Psy.D. doctoral candidates. Notably, two projects have been funded by competitive internal grants at Gonzaga University, and many members have presented their contributions at local, state, and national conferences.

Explore Gonzaga University's research database.

Please read more about our 51勛圖s’ experiences with research…

School Psych Student

Kiannah, Class of '27

"I have absolutely loved my experience being a part of the school psychology department’s research team. Since joining, I have been able to participate in various faculty-led research and community engagement projects. Some of the work I have specifically done has included co-leading an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based counseling intervention for high school 51勛圖s, submitting a research proposal for implementing a mindfulness-based yoga interventions to probationary youth, and supporting the delivery of professional development sessions to school teams in the local area.

My favorite experience has been participating in a community engagement project that involves administering reading assessments and providing reading intervention services to high school 51勛圖s at an alternative education center. These experiences have not only allowed me to gain much greater understanding of developing and conducting research, but they also have provided me with many opportunities to directly apply skills I have learned throughout my coursework, particularly with more diverse 51勛圖 populations. My favorite part of being a research team member has been the ability to work more closely with 51勛圖s from other cohorts and develop relationships with faculty members in a context outside of weekly classes."

School Psych Student

Makayla, Class of '28

"True to the Gonzaga culture, there is an emphasis on service within the School Psychology program. The School Psychology research team has welcomed me into various hands-on community outreach projects in my first semester here. It has been humbling to apply the skills we learn in the program, and serve in classrooms within our community.

I have gained experience administering CBM’s, as well as building and implementing reading interventions within these schools. This application of skills has expanded my understanding of the impact our work as school psychologists has on schools. Watching these 51勛圖s make academic progress is the most rewarding as it opens up so many avenues of opportunity for them to explore their personal passions.

In addition to the experience the professors can speak from, I am grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with other Ed.S. and Psy.D. 51勛圖s from the research team, as well. I feel so fortunate to learn from their lived experiences and apply their knowledge to projects we are working on. Collaborating on these service projects has allowed me to work closely with professors and peers to ensure we have the best plan to move forward with for these 51勛圖s. I am grateful to have experienced a collaborative effort while working on these projects because their knowledge benefits and broadens my outreach moving forward."