Stephanie Irby Coard

Dr. Stephanie Irby Coard is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC-G). She previously served as the Director of Graduate Studies at UNC-G and held faculty appointments at Duke University and the New York University School of Medicine, Child Study Center. Her research focuses on racial, ethnic, and cultural influences on youth development and family functioning, with an emphasis on culturally relevant evidence-based practices for African-American families.

• B.A. in Psychology and Business Management, North Carolina State University
• M.S. Ed. in Developmental Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Columbia University

Dr. Coard’s research integrates cultural factors into child and adolescent mental health interventions, particularly for families of color. She has developed observational measures of racial socialization and parenting curricula, emphasizing the role of culture in treatment implementation and acceptance. Her work spans applied and theoretical domains, including studies on color consciousness and racial socialization processes.

Her recent publications explore racial socialization, discrimination responses, and family resilience across diverse populations. She leads the African American Family Strengths and Strategies (AAFSS) Research Lab, focusing on strength-based, culturally relevant interventions for parent-directed prevention of youth behavior problems.