Psychology

Elon University professors, students and alumni made regional and national news in recent weeks through their research and activities, both on and off campus. Notable in November was coverage of the Elon University Poll, guest columns by university employees and mentions of faculty scholarship and student projects on blogs hosted by the New York Times and the Washington Post.

A paper co-authored by assistant professor Amy Overman and three Elon undergraduates, as well as Joseph D.W. Stephens at N.C. A&T State University, has been published in the American Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Alexa Darby, an assistant professor of psychology, will assume the role of academic coordinator for the Civic Engagement Scholars Program effective Jan. 1, 2011.

Alexa Darby, assistant professor of psychology, Richard Mihans, assistant professor of education and four former Elon students—Kirsten Gonzalez, Mary Lyons, Julie Goldstein and Kelly Anderson— had their paper, "The Influence of School Socioeconomic Status on First-Year Teachers’ Emotions," accepted for publication in Research in Education.

L. Kimberly Epting, assistant professor of psychology, gave an invited address, “Writing Outside the Lines: Considerations and Data on Controlling Variables of Self-Editing,” at the 27th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis in Asheville, N.C, held Nov. 4-6, 2010.

Amy Overman, an assistant professor of psychology, and Kimberly Duggins '10 were featured in the Fall 2010 Council on Undergraduate Research Psychology Division newsletter for their participation in the 14th Annual Posters on the Hill event in Washington, D.C., in April.

Buffie Longmire-Avital, an assistant professor of psychology, has published an article on self-reevaluation, one of the ten processes of change in the transtheoretical model, and its contributing role in sustained viral load improvement for HIV-positive adults with alcohol problems.

Buffie Longmire-Avital, an assistant professor of psychology, was recently approved for funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Health Disparities Loan Repayment Program (LRP) by National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD).

Navigating the world of special education can be daunting, especially for parents with no experience having their child tested for a learning disability. Elon University associate professor Linda Wilmshurst recognized that fear, and this fall, the second edition of a book she co-authored five years ago is being released with more resources and updated information on trends that all parents and teachers should have.