Laura Hill

Professor Laura Hill serves as Chair and Professor in the Department of Human Development at Washington State University's College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). Her academic career spans over 20 years, including roles as Associate Director for Health Promotion (2011-2014) and Associate/Assistant Professorships. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Vanderbilt University (1998), an M.S. from Vanderbilt (1994), and a B.A. in Greek Studies from Smith College (1979).

Dr. Hill's research focuses on prevention science, particularly translating evidence-based interventions into real-world settings. Key areas include brief interventions for college student retention (especially in STEM), parent-child dynamics in emerging adulthood, and workforce development. She leads major grants totaling millions, including a NIH-funded study on parenting interventions for college students and a WSU Strategic Reallocation grant addressing student success through values-based programming.

Her funded projects emphasize scalable solutions, such as adapting parenting programs for Spanish-speaking families and evaluating community wellness initiatives. She teaches graduate courses like HD540 (Effective Intervention Programs) and HD513 (Research Methods). Her scholarly work bridges developmental psychology with practical applications, frequently involving students in co-authorship.