Introducing Maggie Chan: New School Psychology Faculty Member
Dr. Maggie Chan is the newest faculty member of USU’s School Psychology Specialization. Her research goals are to promote children and youth’s social-emotional development and mental health, which happens in nurturing and accepting settings. Dr. Chan is passionate about building an equitable, inclusive, and welcoming school environment for students and teachers.
What drew you to Utah State University?
USU has a very robust Psychology department with researchers from different disciplines, whom I am very excited to learn from and work with. Moreover, I appreciate the department is open to changes, and the faculties have put a lot of thought into improving its teaching and training, all of which have contributed to its active growth. Their passion and effort encourage me to partake in the shared goal of improving and building the school psychology program. I am also impressed by the department's congenial, supportive, and respectful culture, which I have significantly benefited from throughout my transition to USU.
What would you like the public and potential students to know about your research?
My overarching research goal is to promote children and youth’s social-emotional development and mental health, which happens when they are in a nurturing and accepting setting. Thus, I am passionate about building an equitable, inclusive, and welcoming school environment for students and staff, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. My research questions ask about what contextual (e.g., school diversity), sociocultural (e.g., social support and cultural socialization), and intrapersonal (e.g., social-emotional skills) factors contribute to positive psychosocial and academic functioning in school. My work also focuses on school-based mental health screening, aiming to advance the cultural responsiveness of screening tools, strengthen early intervention and prevention practices in school, and diminish inequity in mental health care.
What is your mentorship philosophy?
I believe students’ needs, values, and paths are different. I respect individuals’ needs and values in my teaching and mentorship. I aim to establish an open and authentic communication style with my students so that I can attune to their needs and support them.
What advice do you have for students pursuing a PhD?
I would suggest exploring opportunities to connect and collaborate with different researchers.
What do you love most about your job?
The most appealing part of academia is its autonomy and flexibility to learn and work on issues and questions I am curious about and care about. What's more, I can pursue this with others with similar interests and values.