Master’s and doctoral students in the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) are engaged in research involved in their coursework and are pursuing hands-on clinical work. Check out some student spotlights below.
Katie Byrnes, EdD’25
As part of the first-ever graduating class, Byrnes pursued her doctorate in educational leadership. Byrnes successfully defending her dissertation to culminate her degree at Fairfield SEHD.
What was the focus of your doctoral research?
“My doctoral research focused on the critical and often overlooked issue of food insecurity among college students, examining how it affects academic performance, social engagement, and students’ overall sense of belonging. Through qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with undergraduate students, I explored the prevalence, root causes, and consequences of food insecurity in higher education settings. Grounded in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Tinto’s Model of Student Retention, the study underscored how unmet basic needs can significantly disrupt students' academic trajectories and campus integration,” Byrnes said.
What motivated you to pursue that topic?
“I was driven to pursue this topic by a deep concern for equity in education and a recognition that addressing students’ fundamental needs is essential for fostering their success and well-being,” Byrnes said.
How has your experience in the program shaped your future academic or professional goals?
“Through my research, I aimed to amplify student voices and contribute meaningfully to the growing body of scholarship on this issue, offering practical recommendations for addressing what is often an invisible epidemic. Moving forward, I plan to continue serving in campus ministry, walking alongside students during their formative college years, and using both my experience and research to advocate for their holistic well-being,” Byrnes said.
Allie Mascia, MSW’25
Recognized as the first Fairfield University recipient Mascia was honored with the Advanced Clinical Social Work Fellowship at Yale University. Mascia has immersed herself in the social work program at SEHD.
What is the fellowship?
“The fellowship is a competitive two-year postgraduate training program based in the Outpatient Clinic at the Yale Child Study Center. The fellowship offers advanced clinical training for MSW graduates who are interested in specializing in working in the child and adolescent mental health field,” Mascia said.
How does it feel to be awarded this fellowship?
“I’m incredibly honored to have been selected for the program and couldn’t have done it without my education from Fairfield and its supportive faculty! Dr. Marmo, the MSW program director and a mentor of mine, wrote one of my letters of recommendation and has shared with me that she has written a handful of letters of recommendation for students in the past who applied for this program, and I was the first to actually receive it,” Mascia said.
What have you liked about your Fairfield education?
“One of the things I've really appreciated about my Fairfield education is how supportive and easily accessible the faculty in the program have been. All of the faculty want their students to learn, grow, and succeed within the program. I've also valued the opportunities to become involved in Fairfield beyond the classroom, including through graduate assistantships and the FCHC fellowship program, both of which have helped me grow even more as an individual and professional,” Mascia said.
Wynne Diffenbach, marriage and family therapy master’s candidate
Diffenbach has presented her faculty-mentored research with support of Michelle Parkter Michele Parker, PhD, director of Fairfield's Marriage and Family Therapy program at New England Association for Family and Systemic Therapy (NEAFAST) Conference. In addition to the NEAFAST conference, she shared her work at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.
Why did you choose Fairfield University’s marriage and family therapy program?
“Service to other people had a lasting impact on me, Diffenbach shared. I picked MFT specifically not only because of its reputation but I was interested in looking at family dynamics. I am most passionate about working with young people and their families,” Diffenbach said. Also, “The Marriage and Family Therapy Program allows student’s the option to do research or clinical work. There is flexibility for both,” she said.
What research did you present at the 2025 Student Research Symposium?
“Attachment, Self-Esteem, and Catfishing: Examining the Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in Online Deception and Victimization.”
