معرفی
Karen Neal serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Arts & Sciences at Queens University of Charlotte, bringing extensive practical experience from roles including military child development center director, private practice therapist, and family advocacy specialist in abuse intervention.
Her educational foundation includes:
- Ph.D. in Psychology from George Mason University
- M.S. in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee
- B.S. in Home Economics from Carson-Newman College
Dr. Neal's research centers on developmental psychology, with specialized focus on children's social-emotional growth and moral reasoning. Her seminal dissertation on parental influences in children's forgiveness established her expertise in forgiveness studies, which she expanded through publications in the Journal of College and Character and Journal of Human Services. Her work bridges clinical practice with academic theory, particularly examining therapeutic applications in family systems and child welfare contexts.
She actively contributes to scholarly discourse through presentations at major conferences including the Society for Research in Child Development and APA's Conference on Religion and Spirituality, with international engagement at Ukrainian health institutes. Professional affiliations include the American Psychological Association (Developmental and Teaching divisions), National Association of Young Children, and Society for Research in Child Development.
Dr. Neal's academic leadership includes prior service as Head of the Human Service Studies Department at Queens, where she has taught across multiple disciplines following seven previous university appointments. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates clinical insights with developmental theory across educational and therapeutic settings.
