Clinical Psychology Faculty-Student Duo Receive the Dr. Sally Peterson Research Excellence Award 

Dr. Sally Peterson

Fielding Clinical Psychology faculty member Alayne “Mimi” Ormerod, Ph.D. and doctoral student Tiffany Parisi, M.P.H., are the recipients of the 2024 Dr. Sally Peterson Research Excellence Award for their research published in the Journal of Social Issues about how schools that have climates that are tolerant of sexual harassment also tend to foster a loss of safety and academic disengagement for high school girls, particularly through peer sexual harassment. This is the kind of research that is critical for our understanding of how to change school climate to provide a better learning environment for all.

RESEARCH PUBLICATION: Ormerod, A. J., Parisi, T., DeBlaere, C., & Sagrestano, L. M. (2023). School climate tolerant of sexual harassment is indirectly related to academic disengagement through peer sexual harassment and feeling safe in high school girls. Journal of Social Issues, 79(4), 1231–1250. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12528

In her nomination letter, Clinical Psychology Program Director and Doctoral Faculty Connie Veazey, Ph.D., wrote: “The collaboration between Dr. Ormerod, faculty mentor, and Ms. Parisi, student, was part of a research practicum designed to mentor the student in research competencies that could be used in dissertation and other research. It resulted in publication in a prestigious peer-review journal, presentations at APA and Fielding, widening the student’s professional network by coauthoring with other leaders in the field, mentoring in the publication process, and opportunities to increase the student’s self-efficacy and confidence in conducting research.”

Dr. Ormerod shared about the importance of faculty-student collaboration: “Creating research collaborations with students is an important aspect of my work at Fielding because it prepares students for their dissertation work and future careers. It is a particular honor to receive The Dr. Sally Peterson Research Excellence Award for the collaboration with Tiffany and other colleagues because of Tiffany’s engagement with the research, and that the findings call attention to an issue of national importance, the need for systematic, policy-driven efforts to respond to sexual harassment in the schools.”

Ms. Parisi added: “Through this collaborative experience with Dr. Ormerod, I have gained valuable insights into the complexities of peer-reviewed academic research and expanded my professional opportunities and commitment to contributing meaningful scholarship to the field. It has been an honor to have our research recognized through this award.”

The Dr. Sally Peterson Research Excellence Award is an annual award to a Fielding Graduate University faculty-student collaboration whose work appeared in a peer-reviewed publication the previous calendar year. The award is possible thanks to the generosity of the James S. Peterson Foundation, the David B. Peterson Foundation, the Holly Peterson Foundation, and the Michael A. Peterson Foundation.

The award was established in 2021. It honors Clinical Psychology alum Sally Peterson, Ph.D. (’83). Dr. Peterson is among the first Fielding graduates to be licensed as a clinical psychologist in New York. Her marriage to Michael V. Carlisle, JD, inspired her dissertation research. Like many Fielding spouses, Dr. Carlisle was a great support in Dr. Peterson’s doctoral journey. Over the years, Dr. Peterson and Dr. Carlisle have been dedicated friends and supporters of Fielding.

Dr. Peterson passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family in April 2024. Her legacy lives on through the work of Fielding faculty and students.