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Professor of Practice, and Director of Career Track Faculty in the Psychology Department

has been part of the University of ÉÙ¸¾¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã±»Åªµ½¸ß³± for over a decade, serving as a Professor of Practice and Director of Career Track Faculty in the Department of Psychology within the College of Science. Specializing in inclusive teaching and leadership, she teaches undergraduate courses in Statistics and Advanced Research Methods – subjects she transforms from intimidating to inspiring for her students.Ìý

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Dr. Jordan finds joy in helping students overcome their fears, build confidence, and master challenging material, often watching them surprise themselves with their success. Through her teaching and research on inclusive and humanistic leadership, she encourages students and colleagues alike to see people as whole individuals, fostering an environment where care, growth, and connection come first.

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What is your favorite part of your job?Ìý

The students, hands down! My favorite class to teach is statistics. I LOVE it because I have so many students come into the class who are afraid of taking it. Many Psychology majors do not find math-based courses to be as fun and engaging as the other Psychology content-based courses, and they're taking it solely because it's a requirement.Ìý

I've had countless students tell me they're "bad" at math and they're afraid for the course. When I take this population of students (typically anxious, scared, not excited, unsure about whether they can be successful) and I help them to learn and master the content, it is my absolute FAVORITE thing!Ìý

I delight in reaching out to students to say "hey, I noticed you're doing really well – keep up the good work!" and I hear back from so many of them with stories about how they are juggling multiple responsibilities and were so fearful to enter my class. I LOVE watching them overcome the barriers in their lives to come out on top and end the semester successfully. They do the work; I get to see their excitement and pride in mastering a difficult subject.

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What’s your best tip for receiving a high grade in your class?Ìý

There are no shortcuts! You have to put in the time and effort in order to be successful. It helps to approach the semester with a plan. Block out times in your schedule for study time. Especially when juggling multiple responsibilities and busy schedules, the time isn't going to just appear – you have to be strategic about planning for it. And if you have questions or don't understand something, don't be afraid to attend office hours or reach out to the professor and/or TA! It's what we're here for!

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What excites you most about your current research or projects?Ìý

I'm studying inclusive and humanistic leadership. I'm excited to see a general shift culturally to care more about these initiatives, seeing employees as whole people and not just a "productivity unit." I'm heartened that new and future generations are prioritizing things like mental health and work-life balance, and are demanding more from their jobs (as evidenced by the great resignation during the pandemic). I'm excited for a future that values people first.

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What’s one question you wish more students would ask you during office hours?

I think it's so helpful to ask about a professor's career trajectory. There is no single straight line to "success." When students see that people often follow different paths in their careers, it can help to expand horizons and let them think outside the box.

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Students can be afraid of failing. Do you have advice for students who might be worried about trying something new?ÌýÌý

A favorite quote of mine is from Winston Churchill, "Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm." Failure isn't fatal. It's a valuable part of the learning process! I've written some strategies forÌý.

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When you’re not working, what do you like to do?Ìý

I'm a hiker! I was lucky to get permits to hike Havasu Falls in October of 2024. I've also hiked many of the trails in and around the Tucson and Phoenix area. My favorite local hikes have been Sombrero Peak (I can see it from my house!) and Picacho Peak (so fun!). My most difficult hikes were Rincon Peak (longest) and Flatiron (most technical). I also love Tumamoc – a great, shorter hike that's the perfect distance and elevation gain to feel like you've gotten a good workout, but not take more than an hour-ish.

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What advice would you offer to a first-year Wildcat starting their journey here?

Get involved! Find a community! Whether that's a student club or affinity group, an experiential learning opportunity (like undergraduate research or study abroad), or joining a discipline-specific group (e.g., like PsiChi in Psychology!). When you have a community, you're more likely to be successful!
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Ready to learn from inspiring faculty like this? Apply to the University of ÉÙ¸¾¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã±»Åªµ½¸ß³± today!

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