I graduated from UC Merced with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology, and  an MA in Psychology from CSUS. My research interests are in understanding protective factors for underrepresented groups to help reduce academic and health disparities. My main goal with my research is to eventually develop evidence-based programs and culturally-grounded interventions to support these groups.

One personal interest of mine is watching movies and discussing movies with people. I tend to enjoy coming-of-age movies, such as The Sandlot and Stand by Me.

Life Stages: Adolescence/Emerging Adulthood

Research Tags: Culture/Neighborhood/Society, Social/Emotional,  Peers,  Health & mental health

Awards

Mentee, Horowitz Early Career Scholar Program (https://www.srcd.org/news/announcing-inaugural-scholars-and-mentors-towards-2044-horowitz-early-career-scholar-program)

Graduate Research Mentorship Award 2020-21

Presentations

Vang, T. M., Medina, M. A., Sigal, M., Bellmore, A., Witkow, M. R., & Nishina, A. (2023, April). When the school embraces ethnic diversity, all students belong: A structural model [poster]. Society for Research on Adolescence, San Diego, CA.   

Vang, Tseng (March 2019) School Belonging as a Mediator for Interracial Climate and Depressive Symptoms Among High School Students. Poster presentation at the Society for Research in Child Development, Baltimore, MD.

Vang, Tseng (2021) Bidirectional Associations Between School Belonging and Self-Esteem Among Diverse High School Students, Society for Research in Child Development.

Publications

Gee, K.A., Haghighat, M. and Vang, T.M. (2021): Book review published in Teacher's College Record. Feeling Safe in School: Bullying and Violence Prevention Around the World. https://www.tcrecord.org/Content.asp?ContentId=23633

Gee, K.A, Haghighat, M. and Vang, T.M. (2021) PACE report on Restorative Restart: The Path Towards Reimagining and Rebuilding Schools, external reviewers. https://edpolicyinca.org/publications/restorative-restart