Laura grew up in the Pacific Northwestern US and has been moving steadily eastward: she completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder, her PhD at Purdue University, and has been at Syracuse University for the past 13 years. As a professor of psychology, Laura studies social processes, and conducts research aimed at understanding why some relationships succeed (i.e., remain satisfying and rewarding over time), whereas others fail (i.e., fail to meet important needs or dissolve). She has published over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles on these topics, co-edited a book on relationships, and presented her work at conferences all over the world. At Syracuse, she has taught classes on Close Relationships, Social Dilemmas, Social Psychology, and Forensic Psychology, bringing both rigorous scholarship and genuine passion to her teaching. Her commitment to academic excellence led to her appointment as Associate Dean for Academic Initiatives and Curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she has found her favorite aspect of the role to be learning about the diverse array of programs the college offers and seeing the innovative ways students apply their education. This year, Laura has the privilege of supporting the Renee Crown Honors Program. Having long admired the program’s mission and contributed as both a mentor and thesis reader for numerous Honors students, Laura is deeply appreciative of the program’s transformative impact and is enthusiastic to work with the dedicated community of students, faculty, and staff.
