Zevenbergen named SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor

Dr. Andrea Zevenbergen of the Department of Psychology is one of 15 faculty members throughout the entire SUNY system to be recently promoted to the Distinguished Faculty Ranks by the State University of New York Board of Trustees.

A member of the Fredonia faculty since 2001, Dr. Zevenbergen is one of only four SUNY faculty members this year to earn the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor, a designation that recognizes and honors mastery of teaching. The Distinguished Rank, which also includes Distinguished Professor, Distinguished Service Professor and Distinguished Librarian Professor, is one of the highest honors conferred by the SUNY Board of Trustees.

“We are proud to honor SUNY faculty for their accomplishments as researchers, teachers, mentors who are dedicated to their work and making a positive impact on campus,” said SUNY Chairman H. Carl McCall. “In order to receive Distinguished Ranks, appointees must possess the ability to lead and innovate, as well as meet the rigorous standards of our Distinguished Ranks. Congratulations to all honorees who embody the spirit and values of SUNY’s core values.”

SUNY faculty receiving a Distinguished Rank have achieved immeasurable success within their fields and on their respective campuses, said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “These individuals have set the bar for their peers, and work closely with students to help them find their calling inside and outside of the classroom. It is their excellence that drives SUNY forward,” Chancellor Johnson said.

Zevenbergen, who was recently awarded a Faculty Development Grant to pilot innovative learning strategies, utilizes data driven assessment to continuously refine her courses to maximize the student learning experience. She teaches courses in child psychology, theories of psychotherapy and counseling, and conducts research in the broad area of parent-child interactions.

It was noted that Zevenbergen exemplifies the teacher-scholar model through lessons informed by her scholarship, as well as the provision of countless hands-on opportunities for her students outside of the classroom. She is committed to faculty-student collaborations and has supervised more than 50 independent study students, three McNair students and one undergraduate research fellow.

Additionally, Zevenbergen has co-authored paper presentations with 35 students and supervised more than 150 student internships, engaging students in her research on child language acquisition and emergent literacy. She has more than 25 widely cited publications and nearly 70 research presentations and has served on and led many committees, including those relating to athletics, diversity, curriculum and student success, and has mentored colleagues on how to be more effective in advising.

As Fredonia's Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR), it was noted that Zevenbergen has provided sound academic support and advocacy for student athletes, chaired the Intercollegiate Athletic Board and led the SUNYAC FAR organization. Evidence of her noteworthy teaching can be seen in her extremely high teaching evaluations, extensive and very effective mentoring and numerous teaching awards, as well as enthusiastic student reviews.

Zevenbergen, who was promoted to Professor of Psychology in 2011, previously served at the University of North Dakota. Her positions there included assistant professor of Psychology, director of the Child and Adolescent Center and co-director of the Center of Psychological and Educational Assessment.

Also a product of SUNY, Zevenbergen was awarded her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and master’s degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and a B.A in Psychology and a certificate of African Studies from Northwestern University.

At Fredonia, Zevenbergen received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, was named an honorary member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and is a seven-time recipient of the Psychology Club’s “Teacher of the Year” award.

Zevenbergen’s portrait will soon be added to the Fenton Hall lobby display that features 43 Fredonia faculty members who have attained Distinguished Faculty Ranks.

Since the program’s inception in 1963, SUNY has appointed 1,116 faculty members to the Distinguished Ranks; they include: 399 Distinguished Professorships, 326 Distinguished Service Professorships, 386 Distinguished Teaching Professorships and five Distinguished Librarian Professorships.