Our Research
Each member of the SSTAR Lab team is leading a scholarly project oriented toward student success. Current research topics include, but are not limited to:
- Innovative retention initiatives
- Deconstructing student success
- Academic performance both inside and outside of the classroom
- Academic standing
- Division of Undergraduate Education programs
Past Projects
Defining Student Success: This research investigates first-generation students’ perceptions of academic success using a counterstorytelling framework to deconstruct existing narratives and elevate students' voices.
Lead Researcher: Jennifer Rodriguez, Director, U-RISE
Relevant References:
- Evans, R., Stansberry, D., Bullington, K. E., & Burnett, D. (2020). First in college: A qualitative exploration of experiences of first-generation students. Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges, 23(1), 7–38. Retrieved from https://commons.vccs.edu/inquiry/vol23/iss1/5
- Weatherton, M. & Schussler, E. E. (2021). Success for all? A call to re-examine how student success is defined in higher education. CBE Life Sciences Education, 20(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.20-09-0223
Academic Warning Messaging With The Growth Mindset Framework: This research explores how academic warning messaging designed with the growth mindset framework influences students' experience in a program intended to promote improved academic performance.
Lead Researcher: Robert Drago
Relevant References:
- Buchanan, T. M., Brown, A., Chirco, P., Klein, D., & Purgason, A. M. (2022). Messaging matters: The impact of advising micromessages on student affect and behavior across diverse university campuses. NACADA Journal, 42(2), 45–61. https://doi.org/10.12930/nacada-22-04
- Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
- Kyte, S. B., Collins, E., & Deil-Amen, R. (2020). Mindset messaging: Fostering student support and confidence through micro-messaging in advisor communication. NACADA Journal, 40(1), 36–48. https://doi.org/10.12930/nacada-19-08
Please contact Robert.Drago@stonybrook.edu regarding presentation materials.
A Focus on Assets: Students’ Experience of Academic Probation: This project aims to shed light on the experiences and stories of students who have experienced academic probation and identify key characteristics, strengths, resources, strategies, and supports that can be applied on a larger scale to improve outcomes for more students during the academic probation process.
Lead Researcher: Michelle Setnikar, Director, U-RISE
Relevant References:
- Brady, S. T., Kroeper, K. M., Ozier, E. M., Henderson, A. G., Mathias, K. M., Walton, G. M. & the College Transition Collaborative (2021). Academic probation and the role of notification letters [Research Brief]. http://collegetransitioncollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/sass_toolkit_researchbrief_2021.pdf
- Kellogg, B. T. (2021). An Asset-Based Approach to Understanding College Students as Sources of Support. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/152102512110252
Early Alert Mini-Grant Programs Substudy:
This research explores how and to what extent engagement with elements of a scholarship program influences a students' perception of their college experience and academic outcomes.
Lead Researchers:
Robert Drago
Danielle Dailey, Lead Academic Success Advisor and Retention Specialist, U-RISE
Relevant References:
- Smith, A. R., Garton, B. L., Killingsworth, J. L., Maxwell, L. D., & Ball, A. L. (2010). Does prior college credit matter? A longitudinal investigation of academic success, retention, and degree completion. Journal of Agricultural Education, 51(3), 76–87. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2010.03076
- Tampke, D. R. (2013). Developing, implementing, and assessing an early alert system. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 14(4), 523-532. https://doi.org/10.2190/CS.14.4.e
Please contact Robert.Drago@stonybrook.edu regarding presentation materials.
Employment Enrichment Substudy
This research explores how and to what extent on-campus employment with no minimum GPA requirement influences a students' perception of their college experience and academic outcomes.
Lead Researcher: Robert Drago, Associate Director, U-RISE
Relevant References:
- Burnside, O., Wesley, A., Wesaw, A., & Parnell, A. (2019). Employing student success: A comprehensive examination of on-campus student employment. NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED605714.pdf
Please contact Robert.Drago@stonybrook.edu regarding presentation materials.
Publications and Presentations
Drago, R., & Setnikar, M. (2023). Where to start? Asset-based approaches for practitioners in higher education. The Vermont Connection, 44(1). https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/tvc/vol44/iss1/
Setnikar, M. (2023, September 1). From setbacks to superpowers. MASK The Magazine (The Power of Prevention Issue), Volume 13, 71-72.
Tomczak, R. (2024, July). Are these truths self-evident? Students recreate the Second Continental Congress. Perspectives on History, The American Historical Association.
Tomczak, R. (2025, May). The economics of belonging: A new way of thinking about student success. Times Higher Education. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/economics-belonging-new-way-thinking-about-student-success
Dailey, D., & Drago, R. (2026). Promoting credit momentum. Stony Brook University SSTAR Lab. https://canva.link/tzvf3z2fvlkt7vq
Drago, R. (2026). Growth mindset messaging: How academic warning messages designed with a growth mindset framework can influence student behavior and academic outcomes. Stony Brook University SSTAR Lab. https://canva.link/2uincc9vi2v4pfj
Rodriguez, J., Tomczak, R., & De Jesus, T. (2026). Finding academic purpose: How targeted educational experiences can influence perceived value of higher education. Stony Brook University SSTAR Lab. https://canva.link/z2uxx7vi0rh0qka
Setnikar, M., & Martin, W., III. (2025). Academic hope for at-promise students. Stony Brook University SSTAR Lab. https://canva.link/pu6butqjf4wc1k8
Bjertnes, B., Hall, K., Poma, J., & Rodriguez, J. (2023, March). Supporting students through transitions [Conference session]. CELT Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium, Stony Brook, NY.
Dailey, D. (2026, May). The architect’s blueprint: Why strategic academic planning is the heart of student success [Conference presentation]. Academic Advising Summit, Stony Brook, NY.
Dailey, D., & Drago, R. (2025, October). Investing in students: Early alert scholarships and employment [Poster session]. NODA Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Drago, R. (2023, October 15-18). Influence of messaging designed with the growth mindset framework on student behavior [Conference session]. NODA Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
Drago, R., & Dailey, D. (2025, February). Investing in students: Designing an early alert mini-grant program for college students [Presentation]. SSTAR Lab Town Hall, Stony Brook, NY.
Drago, R., & Rodriguez, J. (2023, April). Developing a comprehensive winter session support program to promote credit momentum among first-year students [Conference session]. SUNY Student Success Summit, online.
Germana, R., & Setnikar, M. (2025, January). Holistic student success for at-promise students: Stony Brook University Summer Academic Resilience Program [Conference presentation]. UERU National Conference, Washington, D.C.
Rodriguez, J. (2025, October). Creating affirming advising spaces: How asset-based practices contribute to students’ retention [Conference presentation]. NODA Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Rodriguez, J. (2025, March). Creating safe and affirming advising spaces: How asset-based practices contribute to students’ success and retention [Presentation]. Division of Undergraduate Education Advisor Development Series, Stony Brook, NY.
Rodriguez, J. (2023, November). Understanding the Gen Z student [Roundtable session]. LICSPA Annual Conference, Garden City, NY.
Rodriguez, J. (2025, October). We’re all in this together: Establishing communities of practice to enhance campus retention efforts [Poster session]. NODA Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Setnikar, M. (2026, March). Cultivating “the will and the way": Academic hope for at-promise students [Conference presentation]. University of Pittsburgh Mentoring and Advising Summit, online.
Setnikar, M., Drago, R., & Rodriguez, J. (2026, May). Shared leadership: Designing for decision-making [Roundtable session]. Academic Advising Summit, Stony Brook, NY.
Setnikar, M., & Martin, W., III. (2025, October). Academic hope for at-promise students [Poster session]. NODA Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Setnikar, M., & Martin, W., III. (2025, February). Summer academic resilience program (SARP) study [Presentation]. SSTAR Lab Town Hall, Stony Brook, NY.
Tomczak, R., Rodriguez, J., & De Jesus, T. (2025, February). The moral economy of retention: An innovative intervention for humanities and social science majors at risk for attrition [Presentation]. SSTAR Lab Town Hall, Stony Brook, NY.
Tomczak, R., Rodriguez, J., & De Jesus, T. (2025, June). The moral economy of retention: An innovative intervention for humanities and social science majors at risk for attrition [Conference presentation]. NASPA Student Success in Higher Education Conference, Denver, CO.