Allison Buskirk-Cohen

Allison Buskirk-Cohen serves as Professor and Honors Program Director in the Psychology Department at Delaware Valley University. She maintains an active research agenda while contributing to university governance through committee work and professional development initiatives.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Human Development, University of Maryland, College Park (Specialization: Developmental Sciences)
• M.A. in Developmental Psychology, Columbia University (Concentration: Developmental Psychopathology)
• B.A. in Psychology, Penn State (Honors Concentration in Social Psychology: Schreyer Honors College)

Dr. Buskirk-Cohen's research trajectory began with examining peer relationships and mental health during the elementary to middle school transition, then evolved to focus on higher education contexts. Her current work investigates how professor-student relationships influence student success, with particular attention to the developmental stage of emerging adulthood. She primarily utilizes self-report methodologies through survey questionnaires to capture individuals' educational experiences. Her research consistently demonstrates the powerful role of interpersonal connections in academic settings, revealing how relationship dynamics significantly impact both academic performance and overall well-being of students.

Scientific Recognition:

• Association for Psychological Science Fund for Teaching and Public Understanding of Psychological Science (2020-2021) - $1,000 award for Making Research Personal project
• Delaware Valley University Professorship Award (2018-2020) - $5,000 two-year award recognizing teaching ability, research, and university contributions

Dr. Buskirk-Cohen actively contributes to professional development through College Board AP Reading scoring for the AP Psychology Exam (earning 30 Professional Development Hours in 2020). Her scholarly output spans academic publications, Psychology Today blog articles addressing contemporary educational challenges, and media interviews on educational adaptation during the pandemic. She applies her research through community engagement with organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and The Peace Center, while serving on the Equity and Inclusion Committee at Newtown Elementary School and the American University Association of University Professors Committee on College and University Governance.