Lori Werdenschlag

A knack for listening and problem solving, a love of children, and a desire to teach led Dr. Werdenschlag to the field of developmental psychology and Vermont State University where she has been teaching for more than 30 years. Growing up, Dr. Werdenschlag thought she wanted to be either an elementary school teacher or a child psychologist. It was during her junior year of college, however, that her career goals changed thanks to an academic advisor who introduced her to a field she never knew existed-developmental psychology. It combined everything she liked to do in a way she had never before considered, which included teaching at the university level. What Dr. Werdenschlag loves the most about Vermont State University are the students and the authentic connection to the community. She appreciates the small classes where she has the opportunity to get to know each and every one of her students individually and personally. She finds it rewarding to be able to not only follow her students’ success at Vermont State University, but to be able to stay connected with them after graduation and watch them flourish in their own professional careers.

Dr. Werdenschlag’s academic interests and specialties within developmental psychology include cognitive development, family relationships, and cross-cultural issues. Her early research focused on metacognition, parent influences on children’s school performance, and parent-adolescent relationships. Dr. Werdenschlag’s current interest in cross-cultural psychology stems from her high school experience as an exchange student in Istanbul, Turkey, her second undergraduate major in anthropology, and her love of travel. She enjoys leading travel trips with students.

Dr. Werdenschlag received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Developmental Psychology from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, and she received in B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.