Dr. Deanne Buffalari, professor of neuroscience and psychology at Westminster College, recently led a workshop at the national Annual Conference on Teaching, organized by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, in St. Louis.

Buffalari, who serves as chair of the organization’s Mid-Career Committee, collaborated with colleagues to present “Finding Your Joy Again: Reinvigorating Your Faculty Experience.” The workshop explored how faculty members can use their personal values and priorities to make intentional decisions about their professional responsibilities and focus on the aspects of their work that bring the greatest meaning and satisfaction.

“Faculty are asked to balance a lot of responsibilities. Most state that the work they find most meaningful involves interactions with students and colleagues,” Buffalari said. “This workshop presented strategies that we hope faculty can use as they make decisions and choices about their work and efforts, in an attempt to focus on those things that bring the most value and satisfaction and have the greatest impact.”

Buffalari has served on the Mid-Career Committee since 2023 and is in her second year as chair. Her involvement with the Society for the Teaching of Psychology has provided valuable opportunities for professional development, collaboration and continued growth as an educator.

She regularly attends the annual conference, which brings together educators committed to advancing the teaching of psychology. Among her highlights this year was a session on integrating scientific thinking into psychology content courses.

“I’ll definitely rethink how I’m teaching some topics after hearing that talk,” she said.

Beyond the professional development opportunities, Buffalari values the relationships she has built with faculty members at institutions across the country.

“It’s great to be surrounded by 380 other people who are so invested in working hard to provide the best education we can for students,” she said.

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

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