Dr. Tabbye Chavous

Biography

Tabbye Chavous is a professor of education psychology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on identity motivation processes among Black youth and emerging adults, exploring how measurement impacts racial diversity climates at secondary and postsecondary levels. Her work includes a focus on contextual and individual-level factors that influence STEM identity development among racially minoritized students, with implications for academic persistence, success, and personal thriving. Dr. Chavous has received funding from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Spencer Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She co-founded and co-directed the Center for the Study of Black Youth in Context, a National Science Foundation-funded initiative that supports research training for students, postdocs, and early career scholars focused on the positive development of diverse Black youth and families. Her scholarship emphasizes foundational research, practical applications, and integrity-centered collaborations with schools, organizations, families, and communities. Throughout her career at the University of Michigan, she has held several leadership roles, advocating for high-quality, inclusive research that incorporates equity-oriented leadership approaches to transform educational environments. Starting August 2025, Dr. Chavous will serve as the Executive Director of the American Educational Research Association.

Research Interests