Research Interests

Mooney's current research is in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Such work grows out of her own teaching experiences as well as her work as Dean of General Education.

For example, observations of various Learning Communities has led her, along with colleague Karen Talentino, to attempt to quantify the impact of these curricular experiences on the development of psychological attributes which contribute to future success.

After a pilot study has indicated significant improvement in certain parameters, they expanded research to include all LCs offered in the fall of 2007.

Data analysis continues during the summer of 2008, with publication of any significant results expected in 2009. Other scholarly interests include improving travel pedagogies, implementing best practices in science education, and effective community-based learning.