SFA’s Dr. Bailey Thompson selected as scholar for fraternity and sorority research and reform

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Dr. Bailey Thompson, assistant professor of advertising and public relations in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Mass Communication, was selected as a 2022-23 scholar for the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform.

Part of Pennsylvania State University’s Student Affairs unit, the Piazza Center’s scholar program was established to develop new research initiatives and expand on research for professional practice in an effort to transform fraternities and sororities, according to its website. The program comprises current practitioners, post-doctoral scholars and doctoral candidates representing a variety of institutions and research backgrounds. Scholars conduct research focusing on Greek-life organizations, including hazing prevention strategies, student learning, leadership and community engagement.

“I am honored to be selected for such a prestigious opportunity,” Thompson said. “Many of the scholars at the Piazza Center are those I’ve been citing for years, and I still feel a bit starstruck working with such well-known researchers in the field.”

As a scholar, Thompson will join a research project regarding sororities at minority-serving institutions and will utilize her expertise in digital and social media research. 

“Working with the Piazza Center opens so many doors for me as a researcher and allows me to work with sororities and fraternities across the country that I otherwise would not have access to,” Thompson said. “Additionally, it allows me to provide my expertise on social media and Greek life to a wider audience and work with such a talented group of researchers in the field.”

Thompson, who was a member of Greek life while in college, began her research in 2015, where she merged research interests with participation in Greek life. In the same year, she joined a project focused on the research of sexual assault and bystander intervention campaigning at Texas Tech University. Thompson also headed a small subsect of research regarding fraternity men and rape myth acceptance. 

Her research can be found in journals such as Psychology of Popular Media Culture, Sexualization, Media, and Society and The Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors.