Alec Walter
Port Jefferson Station
Summary
Analytically rigorous and intellectually curious social scientist with graduate-level training in quantitative methods, empirical analysis, and political psychology. Experienced in managing complex datasets, designing longitudinal surveys, applying regression models, and translating research into clear, evidence-based reports. Proven record as an undergraduate instructor and academic writing tutor. Highly skilled in bridging the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of behavioral data to inform strategy, public policy, and organizational communications.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Reporter
The Crown
Wilkes-Barre, PA
01.2024
- Gathered and compiled real-time, objective reporting on campus and local political events under strict structural deadlines, including the PA-8 congressional debate press section.
Licensed Insurance Team Member
Melissa Walter State Farm
Shavertown, PA
01.2018 - Current
- Licensed in Property & Casualty by the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance (September 2024).
- Managed client portfolios, high-volume payment streams, and structured records within Salesforce CRM.
Teaching Assistant
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
08.2025 - 05.2026
- Collaborated in the development of instructional resources to enhance educational delivery.
- Collaborated with faculty to assess student assignments and provide timely, actionable feedback for improvement.
- Streamlined interactions between students and instructors, fostering clarity on course requirements and enhancing academic success.
- Designed and implemented study sessions and review workshops to reinforce understanding of key course content among students.
- Assisted Dr. Clark in managing Political Science course 359 'Public Policy Analysis.' Supported logistics and student participation throughout the semester.
- Assisted Dr. Clark with lecture preparations and delivery. Supported students by hosting office hours for additional help.
- Evaluated all course assignments on a weekly basis, fostering student engagement and understanding through active participation in discussions.
Writing Tutor
King's College
Wilkes-Barre, PA
09.2022 - 12.2024
- Assisted students in developing writing skills through personalized feedback and structured guidance.
- Facilitated workshops focused on academic writing techniques and research strategies.
- Collaborated with faculty to enhance curriculum materials for writing courses.
- Evaluated student progress, providing targeted support to improve writing proficiency.
- Developed resource materials for students, enhancing their understanding of effective writing practices.
- Implemented new tutoring methods that increased student engagement and confidence in writing tasks.
- Mentored junior tutors, sharing best practices for supporting diverse learning styles in writing instruction.
- Motivated students towards learning and studying to build self-confidence and reduce fear of failure.
- Established trust with students by creating a welcoming atmosphere that values mutual respect, patience, and empathy during all interactions.
Research Assistant
King's College
Wilkes-Barre, PA
08.2020 - 12.2024
- Conducted literature reviews to support research projects and informed study designs.
- Assisted in data collection and analysis using statistical software for research initiatives.
- Collaborated with faculty on project proposals, enhancing grant application success rates.
- Organized and maintained research databases, ensuring accuracy and accessibility of information.
- Prepared reports summarizing findings, contributing to academic publications and presentations.
- Analyzed results using analytical software and created reports.
Education
M.A. - Political Psychology
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY06-2026
B.A. - Psychology and Philosophy
King’s College
Wilkes-Barre, PA01-2024
Skills
- Methods: OLS Regression, Fixed Effects, Longitudinal/Panel Data Analysis, Hierarchical Multiple Regression, Logistic Regression, Interaction/Moderation Models, Difference-in-Differences, Survey Design
- Software: R (tidyverse, plm, ggplot2, RMarkdown), SPSS, Qualtrics, Salesforce CRM, LIWC, MS Office
- Excellent communication
- Researching information
- Gathering information
- Reporting news
- Deadline management
- Article writing proficiency
- Research and due diligence
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Attention to detail
Accomplishments
- Delivered poster presentation on Stability of Peer Victimization During Early Adolescence at the Eastern Psychology Association in 2024.
- Delivered poster presentation on The Interactive Effects of Gender, Self-Esteem, Narcissism, and Peer Victimization on Physical and Relational Aggression during Adolescence at the Eastern Psychological Association in 2024.
Languages
English (Native), Spanish (Intermediate/Conversational).
Interests
Political cognition, affective polarization, belief formation, radicalization, moral politics
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
Stony Brook University
08.2025 - 05.2026
Staff Reporter
The Crown
01.2024
Writing Tutor
King's College
09.2022 - 12.2024
Research Assistant
King's College
08.2020 - 12.2024
Licensed Insurance Team Member
Melissa Walter State Farm
01.2018 - Current
B.A. - Psychology and Philosophy
King’s College
M.A. - Political Psychology
Stony Brook University
Research Experience
- 2025–Present Independent Graduate Research, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
- Panel Data Analysis: Investigating whether perceived party dishonesty over time predicts drops in party warmth using ANES 2016–2020 Panel Study data via structural equation modeling and mediation analysis.
- Government Distrust & Accountability: Conducted hierarchical OLS regression analysis using the ANES 2020 Time Series dataset (N = 2, 057) to prove government distrust significantly predicts willingness to hold one’s party accountable (β = 0.43, p < .001).
- Climate Movement Mobilization: Executed a mixed-methods comparative analysis of Just Stop Oil and Sunrise Movement communications using LIWC computational text analysis and structured hand coding.
- Quasi-Experimental Design: Developed an original difference-in-differences research methodology paired with a matched control county design using the K-12 School Shooting Database to evaluate policy support shifts.
- 2023–2024 Undergraduate Research Assistant, King’s College (Dept. of Psychology), Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Co-designed and administered longitudinal survey instruments via Qualtrics tracking peer victimization and adolescent aggression across two time points (N ≈ 143).
- Managed data cleaning and entry; performed hierarchical multiple regressions and paired-samples t-tests in SPSS.
- Authored the complete Results sections for two peer-reviewed papers and prepared all data visualizations.
- 2023–2024 Independent Philosophy Thesis, King’s College (Dept. of Philosophy), Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Conducted an independent 25-page senior thesis exploring the metaphysics and practical social implications of libertarian and compatibilist free will, defended orally before faculty.
Teaching & Academic Leadership
- 2025–Present Graduate Teaching Assistant, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
- Support POL 359 (Public Policy Analysis) and undergraduate Political Psychology courses (~100 students total).
- Lead weekly discussion sections, host regular office hours, and facilitate group problem-solving.
- Teach statistical data-cleaning, analysis, and visualization exercises utilizing R packages (tidyverse, ggplot2).
- Evaluate assignments and provide rigorous written feedback within a consistent 48-hour turnaround.
- 2023–2024 Writing Consultant / Tutor, King’s College Writing Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Provided one-on-one academic writing support across disciplines focusing on argumentation structure, paper organization, syntax, and proper APA formatting using Socratic questioning methods.
Peer-Reviewed Presentations & Publications
- 2024 Aults, C.D., Haefele, J., Walter, A., Stettler, S., McKennetts, A., & Sweeney, J. The Interactive Effects of Gender, Self-Esteem, Narcissism, and Peer Victimization on Aggression. Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
- 2024 Sweeney, J., McKennetts, A., Stettler, S., Walter, A., & Aults, C.D. Stability of Peer Victimization During Early Adolescence. Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
- 2024 Walter, A. The Metaphysics of Free Will. Independent Senior Thesis Presentation and Oral Defense at the Phi Sigma Tau Annual Conference, King’s College.
- 2024 Walter, A. Bipolar Disorder and Creativity: A Literature Review. Senior Thesis Poster presented at the King’s College Science Fair.