The psychology factuly at QCC come from a variety of backgrounds, and each has different interests within the field of psychology. We invite you to read about each faculty member, and to contact any of us if you are interested in learning more or talking with us.
Eric Mania, PhD Eric Mania joined the Quinsigamond Community College Psychology Department in the fall of 2009. He is a graduate of a community college himself, having earned an AA degree in Liberal Arts from Mohawk Valley Community College. He also holds a BA degree in Psychology from Syracuse University and a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Delaware.
He has previously taught psychology courses at the University of Delaware, worked as a research consultant for educational initiatives at the University of Delaware and for the social justice organization, Seeking Common Ground. He also spent a year working in human services, providing vocational assistance to individuals with various barriers to employment, including mental illness and developmental disability.
Eric is passionate about psychology, teaching, and supporting his students. Until college he was not very academically engaged. However, when he enrolled in his first psychology course in community college he found the subject so captivating that it quickly turned his attitude toward academics around. Also instrumental to this change was the intellectually stimulating, yet supportive environment he found at community college. To this day he is grateful to the professors that sparked this change and strives to pay his gratitude forward by providing his own students with a captivating account of psychology delivered within a stimulating and supportive environment.
As an experimental social psychologist by training, Eric is also passionate about social psychological research. Specific research interests are in the psychology of forgiveness and the psychology of prejudice. In collaboration with colleagues he has published articles on these topics and continues to conduct research in these areas. Eric is enthusiastic about engaging students in the research process. If you are interested in social psychological research you are encouraged to contact him.
Besides psychology and teaching, Eric enjoys spending time with his family, snowboarding, mountain biking, running, music (particularly if it is loud and fast), and reading non-fiction.
Jen Arner Welsh, PhD Jen Arner Welsh graduated from Earlham College in 2000 with a BA in Psychology. After working in Student Affairs in higher education for 3 years, she returned to graduate school, and received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from Clark University in 2010. Jen’s research interests include epistemological development, science learning, adolescence, feminist theory and parenting. She is an active member of the Jean Piaget Society.
Jen has been teaching full-time at QCC since fall of 2009. She teaches Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan Development, Human Development I: Conception to Adolescence and Self-Assessment and Career Planning. All of Jen’s classes are web-enhanced and involve interactive class discussion, critical thinking and applying psychological and developmental concepts to students’ real life experiences. As a developmentalist, Jen is passionate about the process of assessing each student’s current skills and needs, and working with them to meet those needs and to scaffold their ongoing development. In addition to working with students as individuals, Jen also greatly enjoys facilitating strong learning relationships among students, encouraging discussion, collaboration and sharing in the classroom. Jen’s ideal class is one where students laugh, learn something new about themselves and those around them, and discover ideas that they’ll take with them wherever their futures may lead.
Judy Colson, MEd Judy brings 12 years experience as an Adjunct Faculty member teaching at Quinsigamond Community College, Becker College, Anna Maria College, Massasoit Community College and Coastal Carolina University, and 6 years experience as an academic advisor. Judy also worked at Stonehill College as the Assistant Director of Career Services. Judy earned a BS in Communication Disorders from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MEd in Secondary Education Guidance Counseling from the University of South Carolina. Her office location on the main campus is room 347A.
Lizette Cordeiro, MA Lizette Cordeiro holds a Master of Arts degree from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts from Wheelock College in Boston. Lizette has been teaching for twelve years at Quinsigamond Community College
Prior to joining QCC, served as the Director of Programming at SADD National. She oversaw the identification, development, and delivery of programming to SADD chapters nationwide. She managed the creation and implementation of SADD National’s programs, including grant-funded campaigns and research sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Lizette Cordeiro also worked for the YMCA for seven years, developing and implementing youth and teen programs, including two summer international service-learning trips to Senegal, West Africa. She has long had a special interest in dance, and she founded a dance company in Worcester, Massachusetts, and worked with high school students as a teaching artist at a dance company in New York City.
Lizette teaches Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101), First Year Experience (FYE 101), and serves as the First Year Experience Coordinator.
Maura Tighe Stickles, MA Maura began teaching as an adjunct faculty member at QCC 19 years ago. In fall 2006, she joined the ranks of full time Psychology faculty. For the past 15 years, she has been an active participant within the QCC community holding various positions including: Coordinator of the Honors Program, Coordinator of the General Studies Program, Interim Dean for the Humanities and most recently, Coordinator of the Psychology Department.
In addition to her work at QCC, Maura has worked with various populations, including children and adolescents with significant mental health issues, young adults with traumatic brain injuries, and adolescents and young adults with issues connected to substance abuse and addiction. In addition, she also served as Director of Counseling Services at Grafton Job Corps.
Her love for the classroom has continued over the years. Maura prides herself on being a student centered educator who believes that each interaction with students provides a learning opportunity for both student(s) and self. She is a generalist that has facilitated many and developed some of the psychology courses currently offered at QCC.
Maura has a BA degree in Sociology from North Adams State College, North Adams MA and a MA in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College, Paxton MA.
Nancy Donohue-Berthiaume, MA Professor Donohue-Berthiaume received her B.A. and M.A. Degrees from Anna Maria College.
Nancy's areas of expertise include both Psychology and Sociology. As an undergraduate student Nancy defined her life's purpose as the eradication of inequalities. After graduating from college she began working in the area of public housing. There, she experienced life through the eyes and hearts of low income single parents, disabled men and women, homeless people, people living in condemned buildings, the elderly, and children whose life experience was limited due to their life circumstances. She worked day and night attempting to improve the living conditions and better the lives of the public housing residents. The work was never done and just as one family's situation was resolved several others would arise. After finishing graduate school, Professor Donohue-Berthiaume had the opportunity to teach at Quinsigamond. While teaching, it occurred to her that she could effect greater changes and support more life improvements by creating learning opportunities in which students could develop confidence in themselves as learners, and acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for self-improvement.
Nancy teaches Introductory Psychology (PSY 101), Principles of Sociology (SOC 101), Psychology of Interpersonal Relations (PSY 118), Social Problems and Social Change (SOC 111), and Honors courses in both Psychology and Sociology.
Valarie Clemente, EdD Valarie has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, an Ed.M. in Counseling with a Specialization in Counseling Women and an Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology, both from Boston University. She is a licensed psychologist and licensed mental health therapist in MA.
Valarie has been teaching full-time at QCC since fall of 2009; prior to that she was an adjunct instructor. Valarie teaches Introduction to Counseling, Counseling Methods, Self-Assessment and Career Planning, Introduction to Psychology, as well as Lifespan Development and Abnormal Psychology. All of her courses are web-enhanced, and use a variety of teaching approaches, including film, You-Tube clips, interactive and group exercises, and apply psychological and therapeutic approaches to student’s own experiences. She is attentive to those with learning challenges and is happy to provide any necessary supports.
As a psychotherapist, Valarie has extensive experience in community mental health, as well as providing treatment in a college mental health center, state mental health facility, state institution for the developmentally disabled and in home-based modalities. She has particular expertise in treating adolescents and adults, to those with developmental disabilities and is attentive to women’s issues and multi-cultural concerns.
Valarie’s research has included the impact of the therapist’s family of origin upon the practice of psychotherapy, and an evaluation of a master’s level counseling program with a specialization in counseling women.
Valarie serves as the advisor to the Psychology Club and Psi Beta National Honor Society. She is a recipient of the 2012 NISOD award. She is very interested in furthering her students’ understanding and enthusiasm about the field of psychology, encouraging her students to grow as individuals and to assist them in moving forward in their educational and professional careers.
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