9:34 is a symbolic representation of the meaning we make of the world around us based on our perceptions, life experiences, and cultural identities. For some, 9:34 may reflect three distinct and meaningless numbers; for others, each number holds deep and consequential purpose. For others still, 9:34 could be a time, day or night, a Bible verse, or the time stamp on a song or film that had a profound influence on our lives. In Dr. Cruz’s lab, 9:34 reminds us that we all see the world through different lenses, some we are aware of, others we are not. It also serves to demonstrate that we have the individual and collective power to create shared meaning across diverse experiences towards self-and-group actualization for a purpose greater than ourselves.
Dr. Cruz and his lab study the unconscious, invisible, and/or covert dynamics that occur in workplace contexts specific to diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI). The work falls into three areas:
Target experiences and responses to working under conditions of systemic stereotype threat
Perceiver perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards historically excluded groups in organizations (e.g., gay and lesbian managers, Latine women leaders, trans/nonbinary employees)
System-level diagnoses, analyses, and interventions to foster organization-wide DEI change
the 9:34 lab
Meet the Team
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Dock Luckie, B.S.
Post-bacc Lab Assistant
Dock holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Florida A&M University, where he was a student-athlete and campus leader. After three years as a consultant, Dock transitioned into the nonprofit health space and now serves as a population health manager at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Boston, MA. In the lab, he also conducts research on the experiences of Black men in the workplace and has presented the work at SPSSI and AOM.
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Mileinie Sanchez, B.S. ('26)
Undergraduate RA
Mileinie is an undergraduate senior at Bentley, double-majoring in Actuarial Science & Data Analytics with a minor in Leadership. She is passionate about empowering underrepresented communities through mentorship and service, helping them gain access to opportunities and resources.
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Vibha Vishwa, B.S.
Post-bacc Lab Assistant
Vibha is a recent graduate from Bentley University (‘23), holding a Bachelor of Science in Management with a Minor in Gender Studies. She is currently pursuing a career in clinical psychology and is determined to make mental healthcare more accessible to marginalized communities.
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Interested in Joining the lab?
Email Dr. Cruz
