Degree & Year in Program
5th Year in the Program
Advisors
Areas of Specialization
Quantitative Methods, Social Networks, Social Inequality
About me
I am at 5th year doctoral candidate (ABD) in the department of Sociology. I began graduate school at Nebraska in the fall of 2015 after receiving my MS in sociology from Iowa State University in the fall of 2014. My primary research interests are quantitative methods, social networks, and social integration. I am primarily interested in the measurement of overlapping social networks. Additionally, I am interested in how different aspects of our social worlds (e.g. friends, organizations) are patterned and how these patterns influence individual outcomes (e.g. mental health, attachment).
My dissertation research focuses on how multiple types of networks relations (close friendship networks and voluntary associations) are patterned. Specifically, my dissertation explores how to measure friendship and organization networks as connected (or not) and the implications for such patterning. Specifically, my dissertation aims to answer (1) what are possible ways to measure the overlap between close friendships and organization participation and (2) how do these measures map onto social integrative processes, such as mental health?
In my tenure at Nebraska, I have been a Research Assistant as well as the Instructor or Record for two courses. As a Research Assistant, I have worked for doctors Jeffrey A. Smith and Regina Werum. Working with Jeffrey Smith, I have explored the effect of racial/ethnic measurement on social inequality, assessed the role of isolation and cohesion on adolescent attachment and behavioral problems in school, and begun data collection on the social networks of rural drug users as a part of the Rural Drug Addiction Research (RDAR) Center. My research with Regina Werum has explored the measurement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for both degree attainment and occupational placement and the influence of serving in the military as a pathway to STEM. In addition to the research I have participated in, I have taught Social Theory (SOCI 355) and Introduction to Sociology as the Instructor of Record. I received the departmental teaching award for my instruction of the Introduction to Sociology course (Spring 2016).
I have served as the vice president and graduate student representative on multiple departmental committees while being at UNL. In addition to being highly involved in the department, I am also involved with regional and national organizations. At my time at Nebraska, I have prioritized expanding my quantitative research skills so that I will be suited for a primarily research position after graduation.
Courses Taught
Social Theory (SOCI 355) (Summer 2019)
Introduction to Sociology (Spring 2016)
Recitation Instructor for Introduction to Sociology (Fall 2015)Select Publications
Ray, Colleen, Sela Harcey, Arthur L. Greil, Stacy Tiemeyer, and Julia McQuillan. 2018. "Stability and change in personal fertility ideals among US women in heterosexual relationships.” Demographic Research 39: 459-486.