2025 Election

Please vote for nominees here:

Nominee for President

Joseph R. Schwab Associate Professor of Psychology, Bridgewater State University

Bio: Joseph R. Schwab is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Bridgewater State University. He is an editorial board member of multiple journals (Emerging Adulthood, Identity) and recently co-edited a book in the Emerging Adulthood Series published by Oxford University Press. His research focuses on the narrative construction of identity in emerging adults, using interviews and surveys to explore how people create meaning and purpose in their lives through the stories they tell about morality, religion and spirituality, gender, adulthood, and life struggles. Joe also writes about best practices in research methods, with particular attention to meta-theoretical and methodological issues in qualitative and mixed methods research.

Statement: I have been an active member of SSEA for over a decade, serving in the past as a member of many committees (Emerging Scholars, Communications, 10th Conference of Emerging Adulthood Organizing) and as a former chair of the Identity Topic Network. I have presented at every SSEA conference since 2011 through posters, paper presentations, invited talks, and preconference workshops. If given the opportunity to serve as President of SSEA, I would continue our society’s tradition of encouraging the contributions of emerging scholars and advocating for the use of critical, qualitative, and culturally relevant methods for studying emerging adults around the world.

Nominees for Governing Council

Karla Vermeulen Associate Professor of Psychology, SUNY New Paltz

Bio: Karla Vermeulen, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where she teaches courses on disaster mental health, grief counseling, and lifespan developmental psychology. Her research on the impact of multiple stressors on emerging adults is the subject of her third book, Generation Disaster: Coming of Age Post-9/11, published in 2021 in the Oxford University Press Emerging Adulthood series. She is currently Co-Chair for the 12^th SSEA international conference in June 2025, Thriving in Complexity, where she’ll also present an invited talk on Climate Change, Eco-Anxiety, and Activism Among Emerging Adults.

Statement: SSEA has become central in my life after I took on the role of Conference Co-Chair for the 12^th gathering this June. Between helping develop the conference theme, working closely with Leadership and my co-chair, and having the opportunity to read hundreds of submissions from members around the world, I’m in awe of how creative and productive the SSEA community is, in a time when scientific rigor needs to be defended more than ever. I welcome the chance to advance that goal internally, through building opportunities for collaboration and mentoring, and externally, through advocacy and increasing ways to disseminate research.

Shannon Claxton Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Morningside University

Bio: Shannon Claxton is the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, USA. Her research focuses on romantic and sexual relationships during emerging adulthood. She also has an interest in methodology, and she recently co-edited Flourishing as a Scholar: Research Methods for the Study of Emerging Adulthood (Oxford University Press),a resourcedesigned to help new scholars develop skills in sampling, data collection, and analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data used in the study of emerging adulthood.

Statement: I would be honored to serve on the SSEA Governing Council. Since joining SSEA in 2011, I have actively contributed to both the organization and the study of emerging adulthood. My work includes publications in the Oxford Handbook of Emerging Adulthood, Oxford University Emerging Adulthood Series, and Emerging Adulthood journal. I have chaired and co-chaired the Emerging Scholars topic network, organizing pre-conference workshops, symposia, and networking events. I am passionate about supporting new scholars and, as a council member, I would continue fostering engagement for new scholars, expand interdisciplinary collaborations, and contribute to developing engaging opportunities for all SSEA members.

Tushar Singh Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University

Bio: Dr. Tushar Singh is a Professor of Psychology at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, India. With a D.Phil. in Psychology, he specializes in social and health psychology, focusing on marginalized communities such as acid attack survivors and transgender individuals. His research explores social exclusion, resilience, and behavioral responses to crises like COVID-19. With over 2,000 citations and an H-index of 21, he has led projects funded by MRC, ESRC, and India’s DBT. Dr. Singh serves as President of the National Academy of Psychology, India, and is a Board Member of the International Association of Social Psychology.

Statement: If given an opportunity to serve, I aim to take this opportunity to initiate and mentor research and policy that explore and ensure an overall development of psychosocial capabilities of emerging adults. In my recent project I have been exploring the impact of adverse childhood experiences on later psychosocial consequences for emerging adults and with colleagues from an internation research team involved in the co-adoption of ARTS based therapeutic intervention to mitigate such consequences. I am sure that the knowledge and experiences gained from these research will be used to initiate collaborative research with psychologists and researchers across the globe on issues related with emerging adults.

Shalini Mittal Psychology Faculty, School of Liberal Arts, Bennett University, India

Bio: Dr. Shalini Mittal is a distinguished social psychologist and educator, currently serving as a Faculty member at Bennett University’s School of Liberal Arts. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Banaras Hindu University, specializing in the psychosocial aspects of gender, social minorities, and victimization experiences. Dr. Mittal is an elected member of the National Academy of Psychology’s Executive Council and has contributed to numerous research initiatives, editorial boards, and international conferences. She edited a book on Tibet in Exile (Routledge) and has extensive research experience in victimization and trauma. Dr. Mittal is committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.

Statement: As a social psychologist specializing in victimization, trauma, and marginalized groups, I see victimization research as vital to understanding the challenges faced by emerging adults. The experiences of victimization significantly shape identity, coping mechanisms, and social integration during this developmental stage. By examining how emerging adults process and perceive victimization—whether through gender, ethnicity, or other factors—we can develop a nuanced understanding of their psychological well-being. I aim to use my expertise to promote research that highlights the impact of victimization on emerging adulthood, ensuring that SSEA continues to support initiatives that address the complexities of identity, trauma, and resilience during this critical life stage.

Emerging Scholars

Lydia Jesutofunmi Adeladan Ph.D. Student, University of Ibadan

Bio: Lydia Jesutofunmi Adeladan is a dedicated Developmental Psychologist and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Ibadan, with a First Class B.Sc. in Psychology and an M.Sc. in Developmental Psychology. She holds professional certifications, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology. Lydia has received numerous prestigious awards, including the NHEF 2024 Fellow Award and the Erasmus + Scholarship for 2025. A member of several global psychological societies, she has contributed to multiple research publications and presented at international conferences. Her work focuses on adolescent mental health, substance use, and psychological well-being, particularly in Nigerian contexts.

Statement: My academic excellence and leadership experience makes me an ideal candidate for the Emerging Scholar Representative role in the Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood (SSEA). With a First Class B.Sc. in Psychology, an M.Sc. in Developmental Psychology, and a Ph.D. in progress, I have demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing research on emerging adulthood, particularly in the areas of adolescent mental health and substance use. My active involvement in international conferences and research networks, alongside my passion for supporting junior scholars, aligns with SSEA’s goals of fostering collaboration and career development among emerging scholars.

Bilun Naz Böke Academic Associate and Co-Director of the Education for Mental Health Resilience Office, McGill University

Bio: Bilun Naz Böke, PhD is an Academic Associate and co-director of the Education for Mental Health Resilience office at McGill University Faculty of Education in Canada. Naz’s doctoral research in educational psychology examined the effectiveness of innovative and developmentally tailored programs to support emerging adult university students’ adjustment, stress management, and coping capacities. Despite her early stage of career, Naz’s research contributions are substantive, with over 20 peer-reviewed articles, 50 conference presentations, and 20 workshops and invited talks. Her academic impact is evidenced by an H-index of 7, over 270 citations on Google Scholar, and 20,000 reads on ResearchGate.

Statement: My main qualifications for the role of Emerging Scholar Representative within SSEA include my commitment to enhancing well-being in higher education contexts and my existing membership and engagement with the SSEA community. I’m a member of the emerging scholar topic network, the mentorship program, and a regular at SSEA conferences. My leadership and passion for supporting emerging adults and scholars drive my academic, research, and service efforts to foster well-being in academia. As an emerging scholar and committed member of SSEA, I would be thrilled to serve the interests of and represent the SSEA emerging scholars within this role.

Carson Dover PhD Student, Human Development & Family Studies, Texas Tech University

Bio: Carson Dover graduated with their master’s degree from Brigham Young University and is currently a first-year PhD student in the HDFS program at Texas Tech University. Throughout their graduate school experience, they have served on a number of committees and councils. These roles have included being a graduate student representative, working on a recruitment committee, and serving as the Vice President for the Graduate Student Society. Outside of school and research Carson enjoys reading (preferably non-academic novels) and spending time with their family.

Statement: I am qualified for the role of emerging scholar representative because I am passionate, prompt, and personable. I am passionate about research on emerging adults and believe that SSEA promotes healthy development by emphasizing thriving during this critical time of life. I am prompt and will work with the SSEA Governing Council in order to respond quickly and appropriately to challenges that may arise. I am also personable and enjoy working with others in a way that promotes good communication and diverse opinions.

Sthephany Escandell PhD Student, Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Bio: Sthephany Escandell is a fourth-year doctoral student in Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, specializing in Cognitive and Developmental Sciences. She is also a first-year Assistant Professor of Psychology at Concordia University–Wisconsin, where she teaches undergraduate introductory psychology and research methods courses. Her research explores emerging adults’ sense of belonging and mattering, as well as ethnic-racial identity development among minority college students, particularly Cuban Americans. Sthephany is a recipient of the Advanced Opportunities Program Fellowship and has received other academic honors. She has published various interdisciplinary works and presented at several developmental conferences—her favorite being SSEA 2023 in San Diego.

Statement: As a late-stage doctoral student, I have noticed first-hand the unspoken knowledge required to thrive in academia and research. My main qualification for the Emerging Scholars Representative role is that I am both a current student and an early-career faculty member. I am actively navigating academia, connecting with mentors and professionals, and would love to invite others like me to walk this journey together. My research centers on belonging and mattering, and this role is a natural extension of that work—a chance to connect with colleagues from around the world and grow personally and professionally in the study of emerging adulthood.