Kevin Pugh

Kevin Pugh is a Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado, affiliated with the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Specializing in transformative experience theory, motivation, and cognition, his work bridges educational psychology with real-world learning applications.

• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Learning & Cognition), Michigan State University (2002)
• B.S. in Psychology, Brigham Young University (1994)
• Assistant Professor, University of Toledo (post-Ph.D.)
• Joining UNC in 2006

Dr. Pugh's research investigates how learning transforms students' worldviews through Deweyan aesthetics and motivational frameworks. His transformative experience theory emphasizes real-world application of knowledge, studied across science education, problem-based learning, and culturally relevant pedagogy. Recent publications analyze mineral misconceptions, instructor-student connections, and gender dynamics in geology education.

He teaches learning theory, cognition, and motivation courses using transformative, authentic pedagogies. The Calvin Project, which uses comic characters to explore motivation theory, exemplifies his innovative approach. Dr. Pugh has secured National Science Foundation grants and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Experimental Education.

• Principal investigator for NSF-funded projects
• Editorial board member, Journal of Experimental Education
• School of Psychological Sciences faculty

Contact: kevin.pugh@unco.edu | Office: McKee Hall 63 | Phone: 970-351-2989