Faculty Spotlight: Leyla Eghbalzad, PhD.

In psychology, the importance of a holding environment is often discussed as a space where a person feels secure enough to grow. Eghbalzad has spent the last four years creating exactly that for every student who walks through the doors of her classroom or lab. As an assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology, Division of History and Social Sciences, she understands that a student’s academic success is inextricably linked to their sense of identity and belonging. By utilizing Oxford’s unique, intimate environment, she transforms the traditional teacher-student dynamic into a masterclass in mentorship, proving that the strongest connections are often built through meaningful relationships.

We sat down with Dr. Eghbalzad to discuss the concept of a "holding environment," how she fosters a sense of belonging at Oxford College, and what her students have taught her about resilience.

Q: What drew you specifically to teach at Oxford College rather than a larger university setting, and what does it mean to you to be a part of this community?

One thing that drew me to Oxford was the small class sizes, and that was very attractive to me because I was really interested in building relationships with the students. Oxford creates an opportunity to learn your students' names and at least remember one thing about each of them. That relationship, I believe, is the foundation of a very valuable learning environment. Also, the close-knit community at Oxford was a factor. Oxford has become a place where I feel a sense of belonging and a sense of mattering, which feeds into my confidence. It feeds into my sense of being an important part of this community.

Q: How has your identity as a Persian American influenced your perspective as a researcher and educator?

I cherish both identities. I carry very dear Persian traditions with me. And I also celebrate so much of American culture and the opportunities available to me. So, I do cherish all parts of my identity because each has shaped who I am.

Q: Your research focuses on how early experiences and adversity affect brain development. What drew you to this specific topic?

The reason why I chose psychology as a path was to investigate individual differences and the effect of the environment on our development. So I wanted to take that further and look at specific types of learning and how environmental adversity could potentially impact them. I also wanted to measure learning not simply through behavioral components or assessment scores, but by examining the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this learning. So that is what led to my current study, which is focusing on the effect of environmental diversity, specifically trauma and socioeconomic status on learning mechanisms in children.

Q: Can you tell us about your psychology lab here at Oxford and how it came to be? It feels like a pivotal part of your time here.

When I started my tenure-track position here at Oxford, I was given the opportunity to open my physical psychology laboratory on campus. The lab was established in 2023, and everything was started from scratch, from furniture to deciding which types of projects I'm interested in pursuing. When a few students learned about the psychology lab, they contacted me, expressed interest, and offered help to start it. It was rewarding to involve students in transforming the space, designing studies, recruiting, and collecting data. Two students from the opening still participate, having experienced the full process. The lab, in addition to providing mentorship to students, helps me translate ideas into research, which aligns with my goals as a researcher. It enables me to design studies that generate relevant outcomes, making it a vital part of my career. Having a psychology research lab at a liberal arts college was a significant milestone. I also value Oxford for the opportunities it offers faculty and students.

Q: Oxford students are operating at a very high level, and it’s easy for first- and second-year students to feel like "one fish in a big sea." Why do you think it is so important to expose them to hands-on research this early in their college careers, and how do you build their confidence?

Being one fish among many doesn't mean getting lost—it means belonging. That's where I start with students: helping them understand that they matter and have a place here. From there, we focus on building agency and confidence by encouraging them to embrace challenges rather than avoid them. Research provides an ideal opportunity for students to develop those skills early, preparing them for future academic and professional opportunities.

Q: What advice would you give incoming Oxford students just starting their journey?

Stay curious. Don't hold back. There are so many opportunities out there, so many resources, so many unexplored relationships, topics, and subjects. So don't limit yourself on your path. Explore, be curious, not just about subjects and classes, but also about people, about each other, because Oxford is a wonderful, diverse community, and this is your opportunity to have access to so many different cultures, people with so many different backgrounds, so many different perspectives. So, take advantage of that. Have an open mind and stay curious.

After an in-depth discussion of her research, her lab, and her mentorship style, Dr. Eghbalzad reflects on what it truly means to be part of the Oxford College community. For her, the environment she builds for her students is the very same one that sustains her.

"It is my identity. It is my profession. It is my career," she says. "And it is where I feel that sense of belonging, that sense of mattering, which feeds into my confidence. It feeds into me knowing that I am an important part of this community and that my contributions matter. I have wonderful colleagues who have supported me from the first day I started here at Oxford. So if you think about it, it's similar to what we want the students to feel and to take away from Oxford. And those are the things that also help me as a member of this community."