COLLEGE PARK, MD (September, 2016) Kelly S. Mix, Ph.D., joined the UMD College of Education as the new chair of the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, effective on Sept. 1, 2016.
“We are pleased to have Dr. Mix join the UMD College of Education as department chair and professor. Her research expertise and leadership will be an asset to the college and to the department,” said College of Education Dean Donna L. Wiseman.
A former elementary school teacher, Dr. Mix transitioned to academia early in her career, as she was interested in better understanding how different teaching processes work, as well as why some students struggled to learn concepts that came easily to others. Motivated to conduct research and influence policy at a broader level, she obtained a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Chicago.
Dr. Mix began her career in academia at Indiana University and most recently served as a professor in educational psychology at Michigan State University, where her work centered on applying the ideas from developmental psychology to educational practices. Her current research focuses on the development of mathematical cognition and number concepts in young children.
“The Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology is known nationally and internationally for its scholarship,” Dr. Mix said, in explaining her motivation to join the faculty at the UMD College of Education. “The department holds one of the few human development programs housed in a college of education, which is a great fit for my background, as well as featuring one of the best quantitative methodology programs.”
The department serves more than 100 masters and doctoral students in its degree programs, in addition to hosting the acclaimed Center for Young Children (CYC) and the Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention (CECEI), as well as offering numerous research and training opportunities for students and faculty. Dr. Mix is interested in exploring ways to expand HDQM’s audience and hopes to reach more people who could benefit from the department’s expertise.
Dr. Mix succeeds Distinguished University Professor Nathan Fox, who led the department for four years as Interim Chair.
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Audrey Hill, Associate Director of Communications, at: audreyh@umd.edu
