Dr. Allison Buskirk-Cohen
Dr. Allison Buskirk-Cohen’s research has focused on how interpersonal relationships influence academic success and well-being. Her doctoral work addressed the role of peer relationships and mental health as students transitioned from elementary to middle school. Once Dr. Buskirk-Cohen began teaching at DelVal, her interests shifted to exploring factors underlying student success in higher education. Her early work examined the role of a learner-centered approach in the college classroom, while her current work considers how professor-student relationships influence student success. She is particularly interested in understanding how the developmental stage of emerging adulthood affects college students’ adjustment. Most often, Dr. Buskirk-Cohen’s research relies on self-reports which allow individuals to capture their own experiences through survey questionnaires. Overwhelmingly, her research has demonstrated how powerful the need to connect with others is, particularly within education.
UNDERGRADUATE DEPARTMENT
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Psychology
GRADUATE DEPARTMENT
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Psychology
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Human Development, University of Maryland, College Park, Specialization: Developmental Sciences
- M.A., Developmental Psychology, Columbia University, Concentration: Developmental Psychopathology
- B.A., Psychology, Penn State, Honors Concentration in Social Psychology: Schreyer Honors College
Continuing Education
- 30 Professional Development Hours as an online participant in College Board AP Reading scoring the AP Psychology Exam (ETS), June 2020
Awards
- Association for Psychological Science Fund for Teaching and Public Understanding of Psychological Science, 2020- 2021
- Awarded $1,000 for Making Research Personal project as part of the APS Teaching Fund Microgrants program
- Delaware Valley University Professorship Award, 2018- 2020
- Awarded a two-year professorship in recognition of proven teaching ability, research, and overall contributions to the university ($5,000)
Publications (Academic)
- Buskirk-Cohen, A.A. (2020). Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Life-Span Development, 7th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Buskirk-Cohen, A.A., Parker, J.G., & Nielson, B. (Revise-Resubmit). Impact of maternal reasoning and coaching around jealousy on adolescents’ friendship adjustment. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology.
- Duncan, T.A., & Buskirk-Cohen, A.A. (2021). Cautiously independent: How student-centered learning encourages emerging adults to take risks. In S. Hoidn & M. Klemencic (Eds), Handbook of Student-Centered Learning and Instruction in Higher Education. London: Routledge.
Blogs
- Buskirk-Cohen, A.A. (2020, March 17). 5 Tips for College Success in Coronavirus Times. Psychology Todayblog. Available at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/secrets-success/202003/5-tips-college-success-in-coronavirus-times
- Buskirk-Cohen, A. (2020, July). Train your brain now for the return to school. Psychology Today blog. Available at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/secrets-success/202007/train-your-brain-now-the-return-school
Interviewed for following articles
- Allen, C. (2020, May). How teachers are adapting to the COVID-19 classroom: Our experts weigh in. Available at https://blog.worthingtondirect.com/school-furniture/how-teachers-are-adapting-to-the-covid-19-classroom-our-experts-weigh-in/
- DeGering, H. (2020, June). Easy ways to feel happier immediately. ABC/ Good Things Utah. Available at https://www.abc4.com/gtu/easy-ways-to-feel-happier-immediately/
Community Involvement
- Collaboration with Anti-Defamation League and The Peace Center for April 2021 events
- Member, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Newtown Elementary School, 2019- present
- Member, American University Association of University Professors Committee on College and University Governance, 2017- present
- Co-facilitated webinar, October 2020