About
Research Interests
I am interested in research that examines why it is necessary to foster belonging for all groups of people and how we might do that to create healthy and thriving diverse communities. My current research explores students’ experience/sense of belonging in college, with the goals of improving their experience of belonging and learning whether and to what extent sense of belonging predicts academic success and is associated with health and well-being.
Grants and Awards
- 2025 Faculty Development Grant, Viterbo University
- 2023 D. B. Reinhart Institute Ethics Research Fellowship, Viterbo University
- 2023 Alec Chiu Award for Engaging Students in Research, Viterbo University
- 2022 Faculty Development Grant, Viterbo University
- 2020 Faculty Development Grant, Viterbo University
- 2018 Summer Research Grant, Viterbo University
- 2016 Summer Research Grant, Viterbo University
- 2015 Trustees’ Opportunity Fund
Publications, Presentations, and Performances
- Saunders-Scott, D., Houin, C., Anderson-Meger, J., & Klein, D. (2025, May). Fostering Belonging to Enhance Students’ Well-Being and Desire to Complete College. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science Conference, Washington, DC.
- Saunders-Scott, D., Lawrence, R. C., & Parker, M. T. (2022, May). Gut Bacteria Associated with Reduced Anxiety: Implications for Mental Health. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science Conference, Chicago, IL.
- Saunders-Scott, D., Bersagel Braley, M., & Stennes-Spidahl, N. (2018). Traditional and psychological factors associated with academic success: Investigating best predictors of college retention. Motivation and Emotion, 42, 459-465.
- Saunders-Scott, D., Bersagel Braley, M., Stennes-Spidahl, N., & Sherwood, A. (2016, May). Psychological Predictors of College Retention. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
- Sherwood, A., & Saunders-Scott, D. (2016, May). An Exploration of the Association between Growth Mindset and Grit. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
- Saunders-Scott, D., Bersagel Braley, M., Stennes-Spidahl, N., & Kempf, J. F. (2014, August). Potential Avenue for Improving Grit and Academic Success in College. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
- Saunders-Scott, D., Jefferson, S., Gordon, N., Selman, D., & Scmitt, T. (2014). Retrospective assessment of predisposing factors for adult criminality. Caribbean Journal of Criminology, 1, 1-22.
- Saunders-Scott, D., & Jefferson, S. (2014, August). Impact of Conduct Disorder and Social and Environmental Problems on Crime and Violence. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.