“These experiences are so empowering because students get to make tangible and meaningful contributions to communities that are important to them. It’s inspiring when students develop personal connections to their work and experience the joy of applying their skills to real-world situations.”
Psychology Professor, Dr. He Len Chung, is committed to providing independent research and internship/field experiences to students in order to empower them to make meaningful contributions to TCNJ and the surrounding community. Through her research lab, REACH (Research on Engagement, Adjustment, and Community Health), Dr. Chung collaborates with students on all aspects of conducting research, particularly community-based projects. Dr. Chung and students work together on a range of activities, such as meeting with community partners, designing research studies, recruiting participants, collecting data, and presenting research findings at conferences, in academic journals, and though other outlets. Students usually work on research projects for multiple semesters, and experiences are scaffolded to facilitate leadership and professional development. For more information about Dr. Chung’s work with students in the REACH Lab, see: http://reachlab.pages.tcnj.edu/. Dr. Chung takes a similar approach to supervising student internship and field study experiences. Through these experiences, students can apply psychological principles and skills to their work in real-world settings, such as mental health outpatient clinics, hospital-based treatment programs, school/college counseling centers, and community agencies. With respect to mentorship, Dr. Chung’s primary goal is to help each student develop habits, attitudes, and skills that prepare them to address personal and professional challenges successfully.