Teaching Philosophy

I aspire to be the professor who is "popular" among students not because I am "easy" but because students find my courses challenging as well as interesting, enjoyable, and valuable. Rather than lower my standards, I make myself available to students and assist them with the course material by providing study suggestions and different ways of examining the material to facilitate their learning.

My father is an excellent role model for me.  He is a lifelong secondary mathematics teacher who never taught the same class the same way. He constantly updated, rejuvenated, and modernized his courses so that they remained timely and interesting, and neither he nor his students were ever "bored" by the material-even after 40 years! He always retained what worked, and tried out new things to replace what appeared not to work. He has had numerous students write or tell him that math was their least favorite subject-until they took his class, after which they found they actually enjoyed learning math and felt they understood it for the first time. I combine this style with the scientist-practitioner model, believing that teaching informed by current research enhances the overall learning experience. To achieve this, I frequently either forgo or supplement textbook materials with recent scientific articles, news articles,  film clips and other timely material. Finally, I emphasize critical thinking and skepticism throughout my courses, hoping to encourage students to become informed, lifelong learners, both in and out of the classroom.

Research Interest

My research interests are in the broad area of behavioral psychology. My current research has two primary foci:  (1) alcohol and college students and methodological replications. My applied interests include the use behavioral principles to help individuals and couples make positive changes in their health behavior, with a focus anxiety, smoking cessation, and life-stage problems.

Clinical and Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 17)
Behavioral Treatments & Applications (PSYC 251)
Clinical Psychology (PSYC 117)
Controversial Treatments in Applied Settings (PSYC 278)
Ethical Behavior (PSYC 261)