DeLeon Gray, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, North Carolina State University

Contact Information:
Email: dlgray2@ncsu.edu
Website: http://www.thesmartlab.org/

Research Interests & Goals:
DeLeon Gray is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at North Carolina State University. Dr. Gray’s research program examines how adolescents and emerging adults perceive and interpret their social encounters in achievement contexts, and whether these mental representations account for their achievement beliefs and behaviors. Currently, his research program is comprised of two components. The first component includes investigations highlighting the role of social identity processes in achievement contexts, particularly in terms of students’ strivings to “stand out” and “fit in” within their peer circles. The second component of Dr. Gray’s research focuses on understanding students’ judgments about socializers (e.g., teachers, parents, and mentors), and students’ interpretations of the messages that these socializers convey about scholastic achievement. Dr. Gray’s research program ultimately will serve as a platform for collaborating with practicing teachers and administrators on initiatives that encourage students to make engaging in scholastic activities a priority.