Proactive. Effective. Comprehensive.
The Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research is dedicated to transformative change and saving lives! Our research-driven approach targets the underlying factors of hazing while promoting healthier fraternities, sororities, student organizations, and athletic programs to build safer and stronger campus communities.
We emphasize campus-based preventive strategies to combat hazing, risky drinking, and violence; empower students to enhance their learning, develop leadership, and take action; and strengthen accountability that prioritizes prevention and students doing the right thing.
Research Initiatives
We partner with top scholars not only to study root causes but also to drive practice and improve programs.
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This research explores how staff from campuses and national organizations, alongside volunteer advisors, detect early warning signs and various manifestations of hazing. Researchers engaged a diverse group of stakeholders to highlight patterns and indicators of early hazing behaviors, aiming to prevent escalation into harmful situations that could lead to serious consequences including hazing deaths.
Research Team:
- Pietro Sasso, Piazza Center Research Fellow and Delaware State University
- Emily Feuer, Piazza Center Scholar, University of Albany
- Dawn Maynen, Piazza Center Survey Coordinator, Penn State University
Current Status:
- Focus group discussions have concluded, and the team is now drafting journal articles while developing a national survey for data collection.
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This innovative and long-term study is grounded in established research methodologies aimed at fostering effective practices for preventing hazing and hazardous drinking. With contributions from over a dozen experts, the initiative is a collaboration among the Piazza Center, the Gordie Center at the University of Virginia, and the With Us Center at Cal Poly.
Research Team:
- Robert Turrisi, Professor of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University
- Patrick Biddix, Higher Education Professor, University of Tennessee Knoxville and Piazza Center Research Fellow
- Nadine R. Mastroleo, Associate Professor of Psychology, Binghamton University
- Nichole M. Scaglione, Assistant Professor of Health Education, University of Florida
- Jason Kilmer, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington
- Kimberly R. Davis, Piazza Center Data Analyst, Penn State University
- Emily Anne Pride Sutton, Project Coordinator, Western Kentucky University
- Akeya Simion, Piazza Center Scholar, West Virginia University
- Janie Braid, Piazza Center Research Manager, Penn State University
Current Status:
- The project began in spring 2022 with an initial group of six campuses, a second cohort of nine campuses started in 2024, and a third group is scheduled for spring 2026.
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Practices and philosophies of organizational accountability are vital for the well-being and success of students and chapters. However, literature to guide professionals in fraternity and sorority accountability is limited. This research aims to bridge that gap through a series of studies assessing existing models and enhancing professional practices to create safer campuses and stronger chapters.
Research Team:
- Pietro Sasso, Research Fellow, Piazza Center, Delaware State University
- Christopher Zacharda, Piazza Center Scholar, Northwestern University
- Dawn Maynen, Piazza Center Survey Coordinator, Penn State University
- Corey Esquenazi, Piazza Center Scholar, Theta Chi Fraternity
- Kayle Davis, Piazza Center Scholar, Texas Christian University
Current Status:
- Sixteen focus groups with 58 conduct professionals have concluded and the next phase will explore effective models to promote safer communities by reducing hazing, hazardous drinking, and violence.
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The objective of this project is to enhance students' abilities in learning, leadership, and intervention. It seeks to assess whether student learning outcomes are influenced by their fraternity experiences and how prolonged involvement may yield positive effects. Additionally, the project aims to produce insights that can foster stronger collaborations between campuses and their organizations to enhance student learning and build students intervention skills.
Research Team:
- Gary Pike, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University
- Cindy Cogswell, Director of Strategy and Assessment, New York University
- Kimberly R. Davis, Piazza Center Data Analyst, Penn State University
- Meghan Grace, Piazza Center Project Manager, Penn State University
Current Status:
- Surveys have been administered to students in select fraternities, with plans to expand to additional campuses in spring 2025. The North American Interfraternity Conference is currently supporting the fraternity segment of the study, with aspirations to encompass all fraternity and sorority traditions.
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As campus incivility increases and empathy declines, fraternities and sororities aim to leverage their networks and experiences to promote civility, social empathy, and civic engagement. This initiative focuses on enhancing social connections among members to build stronger, safer organizations while emphasizing the values of caring, humanity, altruism, and ethical leadership inherent to the fraternity and sorority experience.
Research Team:
- Matt Baggetta, Professor, Indiana University
- Vivienne Felix, Piazza Center Scholar, Washington and Jefferson College
- Eric Norman, Higher Education Consultant
- Ashley Tull, Professor, Texas Christian University
- Spencer Long, Chief Operation Officer, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Current Status:
- An extensive literature review, book chapter, and webinars are underway. The next phase involves collaborating with the concept team to design relevant studies.
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This research aims to deepen the understanding of Jewish identities, the effects of antisemitism within fraternity and sorority life, and the role of Jewish organizations in fostering a sense of belonging among members. The goal is to enhance the student experience and equip students and professionals to lead within diverse communities.
Research Team:
- Jenny Small, Assistant Director, Brandeis University
- Pietro Sasso, Piazza Center Research Fellow, Delaware State University
- Kimberly Davis, Piazza Center Data Analyst, Penn State University
- Danielle Lund, Graduate Assistant, Brandeis University
Current Status:
- Professional and student interviews have been completed, and the team is in the process of meeting to design further studies.
Effective Practice and Improvement Science
Are you curious about the impact of your hazing and dangerous drinking prevention programs? Elevate your efforts and achieve your objectives with intention and purpose.
Our actionable research empowers decision-makers and practitioners to implement significant changes across more than 800 college campuses. While our primary focus is on fraternity and sorority life, our research findings are relevant to student organizations, athletics, first-year college students, and high school populations.
Assessment
We support professionals on campuses and headquarters with your assessment needs. Target your professional practice and focus on distinct chapter, community, and regional issues.
Scholars Program
We prioritize expanding insights and welcome applications from researchers at all levels.
- For more information visit our Scholars Program page.
Research Advisory Committees
Our diverse committees are comprised of experts, stakeholders, and students who guide projects, amplify findings, and foster collaborative relationships. Learn how to nominate a student for this committee.
