Westminster professor presents at annual psychology conference

Dr. Deanne Buffalari, associate professor of neuroscience and psychology and department chair at Westminster College, recently attended the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP) annual conference in Portland, Ore., where Buffalari presented on alternative grading and mid-career mentoring.

Buffalari is co-authoring an edited volume about nontraditional grading practices that will be published next year. Buffalari, Dr. Ellen Carpenter of Virginia Commonwealth University and Dr. KatieAnn Skogsberg of Centre College are currently writing “Contracts, Specifications, Ungrading, and Beyond: The Use of Alternative Grading Strategies in Teaching Psychology.”

“Traditional grading,” Buffalari said, “is being re-evaluated in terms of whether or not it is always the best way to assess student learning and progress.”

Buffalari also served on STP’s mid-career mentoring committee, which organized remote reading groups with relevant psychology educators to collect data for two years.

“Mid-career can feel a little strange,” Buffalari said. “You get tenure and/or promotion and it seems natural to ask, ‘What's next?’ Why not consider those questions with the support of colleagues who are going through similar things?”

In addition to her committee responsibilities, Buffalari also serves as an associate editor for the e-book group where she reviews scholarship of teaching and learning grants.

Buffalari joined the Westminster faculty in 2014. She earned her undergraduate degree from Allegheny College and her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

For more information contact Dr. Deanne Buffalari at buffald@westminster.edu.

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