Meet Dr. Carlton J. Fong: Helping Students Find Belonging and Purpose in College
In this episode of Office Hours, Dr. Carlton J. Fong, educational psychologist and faculty member in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Texas State University, shares how his journey from studying cognitive science at UC Berkeley to earning his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at UT Austin shaped his passion for understanding how students learn, stay motivated, and succeed. He reflects on his own college experiences, the mentors who helped guide his path, and the personal moments that pushed him toward researching student motivation and belonging.
Dr. Fong also dives into his work on self-regulation, help-seeking, and student agency, including what his research reveals about what actually helps students thrive in college. He discusses his NIH-funded project in STEM education, the importance of empowering students to take ownership of their learning, and why feeling like you belong can make all the difference. His story offers a thoughtful look at mentorship, research with real-world impact, and how understanding yourself as a learner can change your entire college experience.
