Katelyn Poelker

Dr. Katelyn Poelker serves as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Hope College, a position she has held since joining the faculty in 2017. She earned her Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in Psychology from Saint Louis University, establishing a foundation for her cross-cultural research focused on adolescent development in Latin America.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, Saint Louis University
• M.A. in Developmental Psychology, Saint Louis University
• B.A. in Psychology, Saint Louis University

Her research program investigates socio-emotional development through cultural lenses, emphasizing Guatemalan and Latin American youth populations. Key projects evaluate gratitude interventions for adolescent well-being, identity formation processes, and intersections of gender roles with women's health and empowerment. This work consistently addresses at-risk youth contexts and cultural adaptation dynamics.

Scientific Awards:

• Leigh Minturn Memorial Award for Early Career Cross-Cultural Research (Society for Cross-Cultural Research, 2019)

Dr. Poelker teaches foundational courses including Lifespan Development, Advanced Research Methods, and Psychology and Culture, while disseminating findings through peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference presentations. She maintains active research collaborations with Guatemalan teams, reflecting her commitment to international, field-based developmental science.

Current initiatives focus on culturally tailored well-being interventions and expanding understanding of gender dynamics in Latin American adolescent development, with implications for both theoretical frameworks and community applications.