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Payton Eckell, Psychology

One of the first things one learns about Payton Eckell is that she doesn’t take “no” for an answer when questioned about her abilities.

Eckell, who has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, struggled with getting easily distracted and not being “up to par” academically, which made college seem unattainable. It wasn’t until a loved one expressed worry that she wouldn’t be successful that she was fueled to prove them wrong.

And that's what she did. Eckell has since blossomed in �ԹϺ���’s Psychology program, where she’s conducting important research that she hopes will explore a research gap in intersectionality and its implications within the fields of criminal justice and mental health.

She earned money from the School of Social & Behavioral Science’s Student Research Funding & Research Experience for Undergraduates Fund and was awarded Student Travel Funding from the Provost’s Office to present her research before the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences this March.

“I had the opportunity to engage in various research opportunities with professors and engage in a project for distinction that really prepared me well for my future studies as a doctoral student,” Eckell said. “I want to engage in research that will impact policy and practice for working with sexual assault victims, as well as victims of gender-based violence.” 

Speaking of being a doctoral student, Eckell was one of six students across 10 countries to be selected for the University of Delaware’s Criminology program with six years of guaranteed funding.

Although she appreciates the role that direct advocacy and working with victims can have in her field of study, her ultimate goal is to be a professor and researcher “with a farm full of dogs.”

“Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to help people and make a difference, and this career path allows me to do this in my own way,” Eckell said. “I not only get to mentor the future generation of criminologists, but I also get to be a part of vital research that will hopefully make a difference at an individual, institutional and societal level regarding gender-based violence.”

Looking back at her undergraduate career at �ԹϺ���, Eckell said she wouldn’t be where she is without the connections she formed on campus, including the sisterhood she gained from pledging Sigma Delta Tau and the mentorship she received from professors Zornitsa Kalibatseva, Helana Girgis, John White, Christine Gayda-Chelder and Deeanna Button.

When talking about the impact that Button had on her, Eckell beamed that the professor of Criminal Justice not only changed her educational trajectory, but her life.

“She’s someone who wants you to work hard and is willing to push you, and I always needed that tough love, so working with her has been an incredible opportunity,” Eckell said. “I just love the person that she is and the research she has done for the community. She has made breakthroughs that no one else has. I’m hoping to find that sort of mentorship in graduate school.”

Being a graduating senior hasn’t sunk in yet, as she anticipates tutoring criminal justice statistics throughout the summer. For Eckell, the feeling of leaving the nest will only dawn on her when she walks away from campus for the last time.

“I’ll miss the life I have built here with such an amazing support system, which includes my mentors, who I truly owe all of my success to,” Eckell said. “They have pushed me to be the best version of myself and provided me with incredible opportunities that have made such an impact on my life.”