Sociology of Education Research Lab

Operating in collaboration with the CCRE, this research lab provides opportunities for faculty and students in sociology and their colleagues to engage in research focused on the needs of the K-12 and higher ed communities. Faculty with particular interests in this area include Dr. Audrey Beck, Dr. Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk, Rachael Horn-Langford, Dr. Jung Choi, and Dr. Norah Shultz.

There are opportunities for undergraduate students to have experience in this area through SOC 480 internship when offered by Dr. Choi in the spring] and through individual arrangements.

Graduate students may choose to focus their thesis research or comprehensive exam in the area of education. Two recent examples are:

• Daisy Gomez-Fuentes, The Impact of Faculty Mentorship on the Educational Achievement of First-Generation Low-Income Latinx Students
• Jennifer Ojeda Ortiz, Mixed-immigration status families: Family immigration and student’s well-being in higher education 

Dr. Shultz also works with individual students on her projects which are part of the SER Lab. Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students may participate in funded research projects or project under development. Currently, one MA candidate is funded by a National Science Foundation Grant for which Dr. Shultz serves as a co-PI. This project investigates the barriers that minoritized students face regarding foundational mathematics as a preparatory course for Engineering. The graduate student will be conducting and assisting in the analysis of focus groups with first-year students. 

Dr. Shultz also works with students who wish to present education related research at SDSU Student Research Symposium, at regional and national conferences or to prepare for doctoral research in Sociology of Education or Education.

Be sure to check out our student opportunities page for more information.