Dawn Weatherford

Associate Professor, Texas A&M University-San Antonio

A Conversation with Dawn Weatherford

What is your current employment/career?

I am currently an assistant psychology professor at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

What do you enjoy most about your position as an assistant professor?

I appreciate the opportunity to work at a university that values all of the pillars of the academy—teaching, research, and service—in a balanced and student-centric way. I strongly value my mentored relationships with undergraduate students as research assistants in my Memory, Attention and Perception Laboratory. Working with these bright, curious students doesn't feel like work. Further, I can serve the university in ways that facilitate the research culture and profile on campus, such as the Institutional Review Board and the Provost's Research Council.

How did East Texas A&M prepare you for your current position?

Although many of the classes left a lasting impression on my knowledge and skill set, I think one of the most influential courses was the apprenticeship course taught by Dr. Tracy Henley. Over a summer session, we discussed the Compleat Academic and some of the less obvious aspects of success in the professoriate. I speak of this class often to students and colleagues, as I think it should be required for everyone considering how to make the most of their degree and find a rewarding career for which they feel prepared.

What advice do you have for students?

Get involved! Your professors care about your education and want to provide helpful guidance to promising students. The relationships you cultivate with your professors are incredibly valuable in navigating the undergraduate and graduate student experience.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Psychology, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University), 2013
• M.S., Psychology, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University), 2011
• B.S., Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 2005