Bio:
Dorothy R. Charbonnier, PhD, is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Drexel University. She has been with Drexel for 11 years. Her primary focus is undergraduate teaching, writing, developing curriculum, increasing student engagement, career, and Co-op opportunities. Charbonnier has previously taught at UPENN, UArts, University of Konstanz (Germany), and SUNY Stony Brook. These experiences have given her a better understanding of diverse student populations and their needs as individual learners. Her familiarity with top level research allows her to contextualize these ideas for her students, making them more accessible in the classroom.
How I Make a Difference in Teaching and Service:
Psychology impacts all aspects of human interaction. This is simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying for students. With psychology there is endless choice. The key is to build a support structure which provides students with a space for interaction. This space could be a classroom, student club or organization, volunteer or work experience, or Co-op opportunity. In each of these settings, students can cultivate their passion for psychology. Students can also hone their analytic (problem-solving, divergent thinking), communication (oral, written), and intrapersonal skills (empathy, leadership). Competence in these abilities is desired by employers and professional psychology organizations.
Within her courses, Charbonnier encourages her students to think critically, engage in active discussion, practice communication skills, and refine their ability to provide well developed written reasons and evidence for their ideas.
Within the department, Charbonnier contributes to the curriculum not only by teaching core courses but also by creating and maintaining courses such as careers in psychology (UNIV H201). She is active in the curriculum committee, and DEI initiatives such as I Am Psyched! @ Drexel.
Across the university, Dorothy Charbonnier, PhD, participates as a member of the faculty advisory board to Steinbright and is a Career Champion.
Refereed Presentations at Conferences:
- Vivè la Difference –Skills Based Approach to Career Preparation at Three Very Different Institutions. Carducci, Van Kirk, Charbonnier & Scheffer, Symposium presented at APA 2017 125th Annual Convention (live tweeted to APA membership)
- Can I Get a Job with My Undergraduate Psychology Degree? Charbonnier, McNair, & Scheffer, Symposium presented at APA 2017 125th Annual Convention