Dr. Susan Parker
Education:
Ph.D., Child Psychology, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
B.A., Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
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It's a 13-hour flight from here to Susan Parker's other job. Thankfully, Susan, an R-MC professor of psychology, doesn't have to make the journey on a daily -- or even weekly basis.
Susan, who joined the college staff in 2005, also serves on the faculty of the Institut pentru Dezvoltarea Copilului (Institute of Child Development) in Romania. There she participates in the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, a study of the effects of foster care intervention on the development of children raised in institutional settings in
Bucharest and a topic Susan became interested in during graduate school.
"It was such a unique opportunity," said Dr. Parker, who earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Richmond in 1997 and her doctoral degree in development psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2002. "I helped design the initial project, set up the lab and have been assisting with the study ever since. I hope to begin additional projects in Bucharest in the coming years."
In January 2006, though, Susan travelled overseas with a few more people in tow. Five R-MC students joined her for a January Term course aimed at examining the political and historical factors that have influenced child welfare and social policies impacting children and families in Romania.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share this experience with my students," said Susan, who became interested in psychology because of the many facets of the field and through faculty encouragement and support. "This has been a life-changing opportunity for me and I hope it opens their eyes to the world as it did mine. This is also the perfect way to take the classroom portion of teaching to the next level and truly get students excited about learning and doing."
Still, although Susan said she loves her "other job" and her time abroad, she's truly happy here in the Center of the Universe.