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Jalisa Jackson

 March 25, 2021
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As a member of a Bass Connections team, I was able to get more invested in research, propelling me to complete a senior thesis project and search for ways to continue building research skills before applying to graduate schools.

Degree

Psychology and African & African American Studies ’21

Project Team

Peer Coaches: Improving Mental Health Treatment for College Students (2020-2021)
Virtual Avatar Coaches: Improving Mental Health Treatment for College Students with Accessible Peer Support (2019-2020)

As a psychology and African & African American studies major, being able to study behaviors from influences to outcomes, especially in the context of one’s environment, identity and culture, was a key reason I wanted to get involved in research. Bass Connections provided this opportunity to get started in research, be a part of a team and gain mentors. I joined the Peer Coaches team in the fall of 2019 and gained so much since then.

Duke Line logo.
From developing a research database to expanding the reach of our pilot text line and accompanying resource hub, the team has created and continues to create amazing opportunities to brainstorm, troubleshoot and ask more questions relevant to our main goal: providing Duke students with access to peer support and assistance with navigating college life academically, socially and emotionally.

Since joining this team and participating in research, I have learned more about the process of getting questions off the ground, going through the campus IRB process, designing a study (keeping in mind previous studies and our preliminary survey of students), and presenting on the study’s progress.

DukeLine: how to access.
As a member of a Bass Connections team, I was able to get more invested in research, propelling me to complete a senior thesis project and search for ways to continue building research skills before applying to graduate schools. More importantly, I developed connections to faculty, graduate students and fellow classmates on the team – a priceless network based on the common ground we established on conducting research to improve students’ experience along the lines of mental health and the responsibilities of college life.

See related story in Duke Today.

March 2021

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