Alexandra Zelin, shown here in a Social Psychology class, was recognized by the American Psychology Association for her success teaching the Psychology of Women course at UTC.
Alexandra Zelin, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, was recently awarded the American Psychology Association (APA) Mary Roth Walsh Teaching the Psychology of Women award.
The annual award’s namesake was a pioneer in promoting the psychology of women and founder of the Teaching the Psychology of Women Institute.
“Dr. Alex Zelin is an outstanding educator, researcher and, most importantly, person,” said Brian O’Leary, head of the Department of Psychology.
“She is developing a national reputation for her research into the psychology of women, focusing on sexual harassment and sexual assault in and out of the workplace, gender and intersectionality,” he said.
“The APA Mary Roth Walsh Teaching the Psychology of Women award recognizes the many contributions she has already made to the discipline and our students in her four years at UTC,” O’Leary added.
Zelin was recognized specifically for her success teaching the Psychology of Women course at UTC. When she teaches, Zelin said she’s careful “to ensure that all women feel represented in the material.”
“Winning this award is one indication that my teaching is intersectional in focus. However, one of the biggest indicators are student reactions—students have thanked me because they have never before felt ‘seen’ in a class,” said Zelin, who teaches at the undergraduate level and in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology graduate program.
“’Dr. Z injects enthusiasm and energy into every task and interaction and, not surprisingly, receives outstanding student evaluations,” O’Leary said.
“Her teaching and research reflect a process of constant review and innovation,” he continued. “She also maintains a very busy research lab, Sexism, Women and Gender in the Workplace (SWAG) that enables both undergraduate and graduate students to actively participate in the research process and benefit from her expert tutelage.
Receiving this award is sentimental for Zelin because her mentor, Mindy Erchull, also was a recipient.
“She is definitely my inspiration and to receive the same award she did is an indescribable feeling.”
