Tracy Baker

Dr. Tracy Baker is an assistant professor of psychology and affiliated faculty in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the College of Arts and Sciences. After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology, she earned a master’s degree in educational psychology and later an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in higher education leadership and research methodology. Her teaching interests are in psychology and counseling, including cross-cultural and cognitive psychology, educational psychology, abnormal psychology, human development and research methodology.

Throughout most of her career, Baker has assisted in the development and implementation of undergraduate research programs at the university level, as well as consulted with colleagues across the country to develop such programs at their universities. Additionally, Baker enjoys mentoring students in their educational and professional aspirations through their graduate theses and dissertation research. Her research interests are student success, learning and motivation, research self-efficacy, counseling and therapy and the impact of undergraduate research participation. Outside Lynn, Baker is a peer-reviewer for counseling journals and mentors doctoral dissertation research studies.

• Ph.D. and M.Ed., Higher Education Leadership and Research Methodology
• M.Ed., Educational Psychology
• B.S., Psychology

Baker believes interpersonal connection and engagement are among the most important strategies for student success in higher education. By learning about students on day one, Baker designs discussions to the interests of the students and adapts lectures and in-class activities to the career and educational goals of her students. By establishing these personal connections and making the material relevant to their lives, students have more interest and stake in course material. By working with traditional and non-traditional students, veterans, parents, caretakers and students of varying backgrounds, these individuals bring their history and expertise that is important to utilize in the classroom.

Baker aims to connect with her students through discussion individually and encourages peer engagement in her courses to increase their connections at the university. Learning with and from others, in her opinion, is one of the best ways for learning to occur. As such, she uses a constructivist approach in the classroom to best engage students in their learning. Students engage in debate, student-led learning and lecture and group discussion. By creating these connections, students will understand the importance of human connection in their education within the university and future careers. Baker’s goal each semester is to establish and provide a safe, supportive, collaborative learning environment for all students.

• Abnormal Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Human Development
• Research Ethics and Methods
• Theses and Dissertation Courses

iTHINK Customer Service Award, Florida Atlantic University, 2020