Rachel Hayes

Rachel Hayes is an Associate Professor of Psychology and serves as the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She is actively engaged in research, teaching, and academic leadership within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Education:

• Ph.D. & M.A. in Developmental Psychology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• B.A. in Psychology, Southern Methodist University

Her research centers on the influence of cultural and moral values on parenting and parent-child relationships. She leads the Parent Child Lab (PCL) and Mental Health Lab (MHL) in collaboration with Dr. Chelsea Klinkebiel, focusing on parenting dynamics and college students' cognitive processes and well-being. Previously, she led the Collaborative Replication Lab & Collaborative Research Lab (CRL) from 2018 to 2021, with projects presented at the Midwestern Psychology Association.

Her academic interests span developmental, cultural, and health psychology, with a strong emphasis on empirical research and student involvement in scientific inquiry.

Scientific Awards:

• Learning Leader Fellowship Award (2022–2023)

Professional Affiliations:

• Member, Society for the Teaching of Psychology
• Member, Society for Research on Child Development
• Member, SRCD Latino Caucus

Rachel Hayes mentors students through research courses such as PSYCH 4940, PSYCH 4980, and PSYCH 4990, integrating them into active research projects. She teaches a broad curriculum including Introduction to Psychological Science, Lifespan Development, Cultural Psychology, and Senior Research. A new research project is set to launch in Spring 2024, continuing her commitment to undergraduate research training and skill development in literature review, research design, data analysis, and scientific communication.

She leads active research labs including the Parent Child Lab and Mental Health Lab, where students gain hands-on experience in psychological research. These labs focus on parenting, mental health, and cognitive well-being in college populations, fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.