why i chose ssoc
"I spent years in grad school studying group dynamics and social cognition, how people read each other, how belonging is formed, and what gets in the way of genuine connection. By the time I finished my degree I knew I didn't want to stay in academia. I wanted to take what I had learned and apply it somewhere it could actually make a difference in people's lives. SSOC was the first place I came across that was doing that kind of work with the level of intentionality I was looking for. The program is grounded, the methodology is sound, and the impact on students is real. That's what brought me here."
My Day to Day
"Outside of work, I am someone who takes his hobbies very seriously. I have been playing chess since I was a kid and still compete recreationally, there is something about the strategy and patience it requires that I find genuinely meditative. I also spend a lot of time reading, mostly non-fiction, and I have a weakness for a good debate about basically anything. On weekends I tend to gravitate toward quieter things, a long walk, a farmers market, a new exhibit at a gallery. I am not someone who needs a packed schedule to feel fulfilled, which I think makes me better at slowing down and being present with the students I work with."
“The research brought me here. The results are why I stay.”
“Gilbert changed the way my son sees himself in a room full of people.”
"We came to SSOC at a point where our son was really struggling. School had become difficult socially and his confidence had taken a hit. Gilbert approached him with so much patience and genuine curiosity that within a few sessions our son was actually looking forward to going. Gilbert has a way of breaking down social situations that makes them feel manageable rather than overwhelming. He is thoughtful, measured, and clearly deeply knowledgeable about what he does
We are so grateful we found School of Sociability and even more grateful we found Gilbert. He has given our son tools that will stay with him long after the program ends."
Sarah Alder