Our Staff
Melanie joined the Office of a Pedagogy of Hope (PoH Office) bringing a diverse background in education and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. With an MST in Teaching, a BS in Psychology, and a School Administration certificate, Melanie is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Leadership at Southern Nazarene University.
Having taught across a range of grade levels and educational environments, Melanie brings a particular passion for behavior intervention and supporting students through responsive, inclusive practices. As a military spouse and mother to three children (and one beloved dog), she brings both personal and professional experience navigating complex systems with empathy and resilience.
In alignment with the mission of the PoH Office, Melanie is dedicated to working in the community to identify and address issues of marginalization, and to re-imagine educational spaces as inclusive and accessible for all. She is excited to support the transformative work of the PoH Office through reflection, engagement, and dialogue around historical and contemporary inequities in education. She enjoys exploring new places while finding comfort in the familiar, and is always open to opportunities for collaboration—please feel free to reach out!
Our Faculty
Dr. Monica Bartlett is the inaugural Faculty Director for the PoH Office. Dr. Bartlett comes to us from the undergraduate Psychology Department in the College of Arts and Sciences at Gonzaga University, where she runs the Positive Emotion and Social Behavior Lab and teaches courses like The Psychology of Poverty and Social Class and Human Flourishing. Dr. Bartlett’s research focuses on gratitude and its role in building relationships and boosting wellbeing and has been widely cited by the scientific community and the press. Dr. Bartlett is a passionate teacher, committed to uncovering American structures of inequality and the stereotypes that underlie them.
Selected Publications:
- Bartlett, M.Y. & Arpin, S.N. (2019). Gratitude and loneliness: Enhancing health and well-being in older adults. Research on Aging.
- Bartlett, M.Y., Valdesolo, P. & Arpin, S.N. (2019). The paradox of power: The relationship between gratitude and self-esteem. The Journal of Social Psychology.
- Williams, L.A. & Bartlett, M.Y. (2014). Warm thanks: Gratitude expression facilitates social affiliation in new relationships via perceived warmth. Emotion, 15, 1-5.
- Bartlett, M.Y., Condon, P., Cruz, J., Baumann, J. & DeSteno, D. (2012). Gratitude: Prompting behaviors that build relationships. Cognition and Emotion, 26, 2-13.
- DeSteno, D., Bartlett, M.Y., Baumann,J., Williams, L.A., & Dickens, L. (2010). Gratitude as moral sentiment: Emotion-guided cooperation in economic exchange. Emotion, 10, 289-293.
- Bartlett, M.Y. & DeSteno, D. (2006). Gratitude and prosocial behavior: Helping when it costs you. Psychological Science, 17, 319-325.
Selected Media:
- Thanksgiving and Gratitude: The Science of Happier Holidays, Featured in wsj.com, November 28, 2014, By Jason Marsh and Dacher Keltner
- Guest on AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast. “A Disposition, Not Just a Holiday,” 2019.
- "Why Gratitude Is Wasted on Thanksgiving," Featured in New York Times Opinion piece, November 23, 2019.
Our Graduate Assistants
Taylor Copenhaver
Taylor Copenhaver is a first-year Ed.S student in the School Psychology program. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Bushnell University and has experience working with children in various settings. Taylor is passionate about being a part of systemic change that fosters an environment that is equitable and truly welcoming to all. In her spare time, she enjoys reading fiction books, playing card and board games, and spending time with friends and family. New to the PoH Office and Gonzaga as a whole, she is excited and ready to get more involved in the community!
Susan Nguyen
Susan is a first-year graduate student in the Marriage and Family Counseling program at Gonzaga University, serving as a Graduate Assistant with the Office of a Pedagogy of Hope. Growing up and attending school in a marginalized community deeply shaped Susan’s commitment to creating equitable, inclusive, and compassionate spaces in education and mental health. Through Susan’s work with the Office of Pedagogy of Hope, she aims to foster belonging and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across campus and in the greater Spokane community. Susan is passionate about empowering others through relationship-building, advocacy, and culturally responsive practices that honor the dignity of every individual.
Patrick Chisholm
Patrick Chisholm is a graduate assistant in the Office of a Pedagogy of Hope Through Research & Practice. He brings a diverse background and experience working with individuals from various cultures and walks of life. Patrick recently completed his undergraduate degree in Florida and is now pursuing an MBA at Gonzaga University. He is passionate about contributing to the office’s mission and making a meaningful impact.