My research broadly focuses on human motivation as it applies to learning, self-regulation, and optimal development within postsecondary educational settings. An important question I’ve attempted to answer is whether particular motivations are more likely to be associated with positive academic and developmental outcomes for college students (e.g., increased academic effort, higher achievement, greater chances of persisting in college, increased resilience, improved social functioning, and enhanced well-being). In addition, I’ve examined how characteristics of the college learning environment influence college students’ motivations. My intellectual pursuits are driven by a desire to identify evidence-based instructional practices that help postsecondary students learn, grow, and thrive.