Team Members
A Collaborative Group
Dr. Valerie Sessa
Professor
My name is Valerie Sessa. I received my Master's and Doctoral degrees in Industrial-Organizational psychology from New York University. Prior to MSU, I worked as a research scientist and director at the Center for Creative Leadership. My current interests include leadership development in college students and continuous learning at the individual, group, and organizational levels.
Dr. Jennifer Bragger
Professor
My name is Jennifer DeNicolis Bragger. I graduated from Temple University in 1997 with a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. I conduct research on stereotypes in the job interview, work-family conflict, leadership, person-organizational fit, and work-family conflict. I am married with four children.
Dr. Michael Bixter
Assistant Professor
I received a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from Stony Brook University with a graduate certificate in Quantitative Methods. I also completed two postdoctoral research positions, the first at Georgia Tech and the second at Arizona State University. My research interests include decisions about delayed and risky rewards, how decisions are made in small-group situations, and how decision-making and other cognitive processes develop across adulthood.
Loren Shelley
Ph.D. Student/Lab Manager
I am a third-year Ph.D. student studying Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Montclair State University. I have my B.A. in psychology from the University of Kentucky. My research interests are employee well-being, psychological and workplace safety, and diversity and inclusion with a focus on disability. I will graduate with my Doctorate in May of 2025.
Sara Stavely
Ph.D. Student
I am a current 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Doctoral program at Montclair State University. I received my B.A. in psychology from the West Chester University of Pennsylvania. My research interests include motivation, leadership, and DEI. I am scheduled to graduate with my doctorate in May 2026.
Edileide Novais Cavalcanti
Ph.D. Student
I am a second-year graduate student in I/O Psychology at Montclair State University, with a graduation date set for May 2027. My research interests include well-being, motivation, workplace psychological constructs, and leadership. I also love survey design and development. I completed my BA in Psychology here at  MSU in May 2022
Celine Williams
Master Student
My name is Celine Williams. I have received my bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in business, and am currently a second-year Master’s student in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at Montclair State University. My research interests are employee well-being, diversity equity and inclusion, and performance management. I will graduate with my Master’s degree in the Spring of 2024.
Juliet Eckert
Master Student
I am a first-year Master's student in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at Montclair State University. I received my B.S. in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island. My research interests include leadership, motivation, organizational culture, and organizational behavior management. I am on track to graduate with my master's in May 2025.
Sam Wurts
Master Student
My name is Sam Wurts. I have received my bachelor’s degree in psychology and am currently a second-year Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program at Montclair State University. My research interests are gender and sexuality, stereotype bias, and interpersonal perception. I will graduate with my Master’s degree in the Spring of 2024.
Jacob Breaux
Ph.D. Student
I graduated from Louisiana State University with a BS in Psychology and a BA in History, and I am now a third-year Ph.D. student in the Industrial and Organizational Psychology program at Montclair State University. Currently, I am interested in small team decision-making and composition, personality, leadership styles, and the intersection between law and psychology.
Lauren Offermann
Ph.D. Student
I am a third-year Ph.D. student in the I/O Psychology program at Montclair State University. I received my MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Iona College, and my Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Communications Studies from Seton Hall University. I am on the Prosocial Subcommittee for SIOP and my research interests include leadership, diversity, and occupational health psychology (OHP) as it relates to mental health in the workplace.
Isabel Skovera
Ph.D. Student
I am third-year Ph.D. student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Doctoral program at Montclair State University. I received a BA in psychology with a minor in gender studies from Albright College. My research interests are social identity theory, group dynamics, shared leadership, diversity, and status. I am scheduled to graduate with my Doctorate in May 2025.
Jezabell DeJesus
Undergraduate Student
My name is Jezabell DeJesus! I’m a First-generation, Latina of Dominican descent from Perth Amboy, NJ. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Montclair State University! Outside of professional and leadership endeavors, I love poetry and writing.
