Meet Our Faculty: Dr. Xin Zhao

Dr. Xin Zhao

Preferred pronouns:

He/Him

Title:

Assistant Professor

School of:

Humanities and Social Sciences

Department:

Psychology

What you teach:

General Psychology (PSY 1010), Lifespan Psychology (PSY 1100), Personality Theory (PSY 2250), Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2300), Social Psychology (PSY 2500), American Identities (HON 2060)

Years teaching at SLCC:

2.5 years

Undergraduate degree:

Virginia Tech

Master’s:

Utah State University

Doctorate:

Utah State University

Why working at SLCC matters:

Ever since graduate school, I knew that teaching is what I am most passionate about. In addition, SLCC provides me with resources in professional development and opportunities to mentor students in undergraduate research.

Greatest professional challenge:

I strive to encourage students to develop a passion and curiosity for knowledge beyond grades and accomplishments. I also try to introduce multicultural perspectives to help students gain a three-dimensional appreciation of the content they learn in class.

Greatest professional accomplishment:

Starting the Higher Ed Teaching and Learning Lab since arriving at SLCC, where I am actively working with students on a few different research projects.

Advice for students or others:

College is much more than classrooms and exams. This might be the only time in your life where you get to explore endless possibilities. Think creatively, reflect often, practice kindness and be brave. Try things you only dreamed of doing, do things you would never do again in the future, make a friend with someone very different from you, join a service focused student club, take an auto-mechanic or yoga class. Leave no regrets when that moment comes for you to walk across the stage at graduation.

Future plans:

I like to collaborate and develop interdisciplinary courses with colleagues across other disciplines. Students don’t experience real life in a vacuum, and I want to figure out a way to teach them applicable knowledge through an integrated approach.

Family:

I am married, and we have a three-year-old daughter and a son on the way.

Hobbies:

In my spare time, I like to read behavioral economics books, learn how to write better, play fantasy football with my friends (been doing this since my college days), and keep an eye on what’s happening on Tik Tok.

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