Sophia Hwang

Sophia Hwang, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She is affiliated with the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and leads the Sondheim 412 Lab. Her research focuses on community-based interventions to improve academic, social, and emotional outcomes for marginalized youth, particularly Black and Latine students and English learners. Dr. Hwang employs mixed-methods approaches to study supportive relationships, systems change, and educator professional development in educational settings.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Applied Psychology, New York University (2021)

Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as Primary Prevention, Program Evaluation, and Introduction to Community Psychology. She actively mentors graduate students in the Human Services Psychology program and offers limited undergraduate research opportunities.

Dr. Hwang’s recent work emphasizes social and emotional learning (SEL) implementation at state and school levels, exploring how policies and programs can foster equitable environments for youth development. Her collaborations with community partners highlight practical strategies for scaling mental health interventions in urban schools.

Labs/Teams: Her lab focuses on collaborative, community-engaged research to address systemic barriers in education. The Sondheim 412 lab space serves as a hub for interdisciplinary projects and partnerships.