Envisioning a future where fraternities and sororities are both safer and stronger.
The Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research is committed to driving transformative change through a dual-focused model.
Safer
Our efforts concentrate on campus prevention strategies to combat hazing, hazardous drinking and other devastating behaviors.
Stronger
We aim to enhance student learning, leadership and ability to intervene.
Our mission is generating actionable research for decision makers and empowering practitioners to implement meaningful changes for the benefit of over 750,000 members across more than 800 campuses. While our emphasis is on fraternity and sorority life our applied research insights extend to student organizations, athletics, first year college, and high school students.
Projects
The Piazza Center builds relationships with interdisciplinary scholars and research faculty. We source, resource, and conduct research. Please contact us to explore your research interest in helping create safe and extraordinary fraternities and sororities.
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A study of how sorority and fraternity campus professionals and inter/national headquarters staff recognize initial early indicators and identify different forms of hazing. Researchers asked a variety of professionals to identify patterns and warning signs of early hazing before it escalates into dangerous forms resulting in harm and tragedy.
Researchers:
- Pietro Sasso, Piazza Center Research Fellow
- Emily Feuer, Piazza Center Scholar, University of Albany
- Dawn Maynen, Piazza Center
Status:
- Focus group phase complete. Creating a national survey and collecting Data fall 2022- spring 2023
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The study is a three-year collaboration between Piazza Center, the Gordie Center at the University of Virginia and the With Us Center at Cal Poly. More than a dozen experts, six institutions, and a proven set of research guidelines promises to yield sound professional practices in the crucial areas of hazing and hazardous drinking prevention
Researchers:
- Robert Turrisi, Professor of Biobehavioral Health and Prevention Research Center, Penn State University;
- Patrick Biddix, Professor of Higher Education, University of Tennessee Knoxville;
- Jason Kilmer Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington;
- Pietro Sasso, Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership at Stephen F. Austin University;
- James Barber, Associate Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs, College of William & Mary; and
- Monica Lee Miranda, Consultant
Status:
- Collecting data fall 2022- spring 2023.
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Organization accountability practices, philosophies, and procedures are crucial to the health, safety, and success of students and chapters. Yet, there is a shocking lack of literature on what guides professionals in student organization and fraternity and sorority accountability. The Piazza Center aims to close that gap with a series of studies that will identify current models, assess their effectiveness, and improve professional practice for stronger chapters and safer campuses
Researchers:
- Pietro Sasso, Piazza Center
- Dawn Maynen, Piazza Center
- Christopher Zacharda, Tulane University
Status:
- Focus group phase complete. Creating a national survey and collecting Data fall 2022- spring 2023
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There is an immense amount of learning occurring in fraternity and sorority life experience. It is time we measure and document it. The project is identifying, mapping, assessing, and codifying the learning that takes place within the fraternity and sorority experience. Beginning with the work of a high-level concept team the project is on track for a fall roll-out following a review period by organizational partners and experts this spring and summer.
Researchers/Concept Team:
- Gianina Baker, Acting Director, National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign;
- James Barber, Associate Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs, William & Mary;
- Amber Garrison Duncan, Executive Vice President, Competency-Based Education Network;
- Mike Simmons, Strategic Projects Manager, AACRAO Consulting;
- Mary Howard Hamilton, Department Chair of Educational Leadership at Indiana State and recent chair of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. research committee;
- Bob Orndorff, Senior Director of Career Services and Affiliate Associate Professor Counselor Education, Penn State University;
- Amelia Parnell, Vice President for Research and Policy, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA);
- Rodney L. Parks, University Registrar and Assistant Vice President, Elon University; and
- Matthew Pittinsky, CEO of Parchment
Status:
- Conducting literature reviews and meeting with the concept team to design studies.
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Campus incivility is on the rise at the same time that empathy is diminishing. Fraternities and sororities leverage networks and experiences to improve civility, social apathy, and civic engagement. The Piazza Center has initiated a concept team to explore civic engagement in fraternal organizations. We seek to improve and enhance social connectivity among members and groups to focus on stronger and safer organizations and highlight the caring, humanity, altruism, and ethical leadership that is a significant part of the fraternity and sorority story.
Researchers/Concept Team:
- Matt Baggetta, Associate Professor School of Public & Environmental Affairs and the Observing Civic Engagement Project, Indiana University;
- Cassie L. Barnhardt, Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Studies, Educational Policy & Leadership Studies, University Iowa;
- Vivienne Felix, Director of the Center for Professional and Career Pathways, Washington and Jefferson and Piazza Center Scholar;
- Spencer Long, Senior Director of Member Education and Development, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity;
- Andy Morgan, Dean of Students, Indiana State University;
- Eric Norman, Consultant;
- Lindsey Perry, Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Austin Peay University; and
- Jodi Radosh, Associate Professor of English & Communication and Associate Director Holleran Center for Community Engagement Co-chair, Alvernia University
Status:
- Conducting literature reviews and meeting with the concept team to design studies.
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Partnership with the National Panhellenic Conference.
Researchers:
- Georgianna Martin, University of Georgia
- Michael Goodman, the University of Texas at Austin
- Kimberly Davis, Piazza Center.
Status:
- Writing up findings from the first study and launching the second study in fall 2022.
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In a partnership with seven other organizations, the Piazza Center will engage in a range of studies to better understand Jewish identities, the impact anti-Semitism in fraternity and sorority life, and the importance Jewish fraternities and sororities on member sense of belonging. This partnership seeks to enhance the student experience, students’ capacity to lead in diverse communities, and those support Jewish organizations and members through professional practice.
Researchers:
- Pietro Sasso, Piazza Center Research Fellow
- Kimberly Davis, Piazza Center
- Jenny Smalls, Brandeis University
Status:
- Conducting literature reviews and meeting with the concept team to design studies.
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
Our post-doctoral research scholars are dedicated professionals committed to rigorous research. Scholars bridge research insights into professional practices. Under the guidance of Piazza Center staff and research fellows, scholars will have opportunities to undertake research, co-write papers, practical guides, and lead presentations. Applications are accepted continuously.
- For more information visit our Scholars Program page.
Piazza Center Student Research Advisory Committee
Our diverse research committees are comprised of content experts, stakeholders, and students. All help guide projects and the adoption and implementation of research driven practice for safer and stronger chapters, organizations and campus communities. Learn how to nominate a student for this committee.
