James Kennedy: Pace Psychology Graduate Fast Tracks to Doctoral Program

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From a young age, James Kennedy ’24, BA in Personality and Social Psychology, had been curious about how things work. But he soon he realized that it was human interactions, emotions, and social environments that fascinated him the most.

Kennedy, who chose Pace because it offered a degree in personality and social psychology as well as the opportunity conduct undergraduate research—typically found only at the graduate level—is now well on his way to achieving his goals. He is enrolled in a five-year social-personality doctoral program at the University at Buffalo, a feat only the best and brightest could achieve.

As an undergraduate student, he engaged in faculty-student research, which prepared him for this new chapter in his academic life. He also presented his research both outside of and within Pace and at national and international conferences.

His work with Psychology Professor Courtney Gosnell, PhD, is one example.

“Professor Gosnell has taught me how to develop and conduct research as well as empowered me to run my own research projects from idea to publication,” he said. The result was a co-publication of their findings, “Politics, Relationships, and Moral Foundations” in Transactions, 24 (Gosnell, C., & Kennedy, J.* (2023), which Kennedy presented with Gosnell at the British Council on Undergraduate Research (BCUR) and as a plenary speaker at Dyson College’s (at Pace) Society of Fellows seminar.

Professor Gosnell has taught me how to develop and conduct research as well as empowered me to run my own research projects from idea to publication.

Kennedy’s global sharing of his research would continue with another experiential opportunity, at the World Congress on Undergraduate Research (WorldCUR). There, he collaborated with international students on a study exploring the challenges of social media usage that might contribute to social disconnect in Generation Z.

Kennedy said, “These experiences have taught me how to network globally and think critically to present my research to a new and diverse audience.”

Looking ahead, Kennedy aspires to become a professor and combine his passion for research with teaching and mentorship. He also plans to stay in contact with his many mentors at Pace and the research they are engaged in with students.

“They have helped me reach the point I am at today and have shown me that they care about my growth as a student and a researcher, as well as a person. I plan to stay involved and attend future research events to better learn about the research that Pace students are conducting,” he said.