Steven Zhou

When are you graduating?

Spring 2024

Describe your dissertation, thesis, or capstone:

My dissertation is on shared leadership, which is a team structure where two or more people are "in charge" at the same time. I put together a conceptual model theorizing how different forms of shared leadership might lead to different negative effects, which diverted from the current literature focusing on positive outcomes. Finally, I used a lab experiment alongside agent-based modeling, a novel methodology that is only just starting to see usage in organizational psychology, to test my conceptual model.

How did you choose your specific area of study?

I first discovered a love for the field of organizational psychology in high school, where I found myself excelling in roles related to coordinating, administering, and leading teams. Then, after studying organizational psychology in my Bachelor's program, I ended up in a Master's program where I found that I loved teaching and researching in this area of study. Finally, I worked for a few years in human resources and data analytics before confirming that I wanted to pursue the PhD.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

Our PhD program is one of the top in the nation and is renowned for its faculty, research emphasis, and teaching opportunities. I am grateful for all the training I've received in publishing top tier research and the extensive teaching experience I've been able to engage in.

Of which accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud?

My biggest accomplishments include receiving a contract to write a full-length book on careers from Cambridge University Press, receiving a $25k research grant to study journal publication bias, being elected as the President of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA), and placing first in Mason's Three Minute Thesis competition.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

There were so many faculty and staff who mentored me and made a difference both professionally and personally. All of my research faculty (and especially my dissertation committee) were incredibly supportive in my research endeavors by bringing me on board research projects, providing feedback and guidance in submissions, and networking me with fellow researchers across the US. I am also grateful for faculty and staff in student affairs and academic administration who went out of their way to find opportunities for me to grow and serve in higher education.

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

Get connected with everyone: faculty, staff, and fellow students. My cohort and I are extremely close, and our mutual support has been essential to our shared success. Even though many of us are introverted and can be nervous of networking and social gatherings, it is well worth the challenge to form incredibly important friendships and professional relationships.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I am teaching graduate classes at Mason as an adjunct and working in various nonprofit management consulting roles. I will be applying for faculty jobs this coming year, and I hope to find a faculty teaching and research position for my long-term career.