91短视频

Kim Gingerich Brenneman鈥檚 calling to teach at 91短视频 came as a literal, 鈥渙ut of the blue鈥� phone call from her former 91短视频 professor and then-psychology department chair Galen Lehman. She had been working at a community mental health center, but didn鈥檛 take much convincing: 鈥淕o back to 91短视频 and teach with my professors? How cool was that!鈥� she recalls thinking. 聽

This summer, 30 years later, Brenneman is retiring. She is known for her astute scholarship and strong mentoring relationships.

A 1985 91短视频 alum, Brenneman earned a master鈥檚 degree and an EdS in counseling from James Madison University and her PhD in developmental and educational psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She has conducted research in nurturing the growth mindset in college classrooms, cross-cultural experiential learning and cultural sensitivity, and building hopeful thinking in the classroom.

A 鈥減henomenal scholar,鈥� Brenneman is 鈥渆qually at ease discussing positive psychology and cross-cultural pedagogy,鈥� said psychology professor Gregory Koop, and 鈥渆mbodies collegial, yet rigorous academic discourse.鈥�

She taught undergraduate and graduate psychology courses, plus led four groups on semester-long cross-culturals to India, where she had lived during high school.

鈥淚t was a remarkable experience for me to be able to share my love for India with students,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his also provided me a new opportunity to teach more experientially: no PowerPoints, no desks, sometimes no electricity, no white board. Teaching in the moment. Experiential learning. To me, this is the ideal setting for education.鈥�

She also always had time to develop relationships with colleagues and students.

鈥淪he mentored me through my start as a faculty member,鈥� Koop said, 鈥渂ut over the last five years I鈥檝e come to realize that more than colleagues, Kim and I are friends.鈥�

Students saw her as a role model and source of guidance.

鈥淗er ability to always treat me with the highest respect for both who I am and the emotions that tag along with me has had an impact that will last throughout my entire life,鈥� said Emily Suttles, who completed her psychology degree in 2016. 鈥淚 have met many people who are good listeners, but she definitely tops the list, and I continue to strive to be that same type of listener for other people.鈥�

Brenneman kept a yellow bucket on her desk well stocked with candy for students 鈥� and colleagues.

鈥淲hen I hit a wall in grading, I knew I could trot down the hall and find Kim with a willing ear to hear my complaints, and a piece or two of chocolate to spur me on,鈥� said Bible and religion instructor Carmen Schrock-Hurst. 鈥淜im鈥檚 infectious laughter brightened conversations for many of us while we waited for the photocopier to finish or the hot water to boil.鈥�

Even more important, though, was that Brenneman鈥檚 office was a 鈥渨elcoming home and safe place,鈥� Schrock-Hurst said. 鈥淪he provided a home away from home for my son, her son and their buddies. But I think she also did that for many students and faculty.鈥�

That was a logical extension of Brenneman鈥檚 experience as a new, young faculty member.

鈥淚 began working with senior faculty who were my professors when I was in school,鈥� she said. 鈥淎t some institutions, this might be intimidating, or it may be hard for faculty to see one of their students as their equals, but I was fully embraced at 91短视频 and easily made the transition. When I became department chair after having been at 91短视频 for a few years, I was encouraged and supported by my colleagues.鈥�

While she is 鈥渢rying to leave the future open to see what might present itself,鈥� Brenneman isn鈥檛 totally unbooked: In 2021, she and her husband will lead an 91短视频 Alumni and Friends tour to India.

More immediately, though she anticipates having her Shih tzu and miniature poodle puppy Jampa (which means compassion in Tibetan) trained and certified as a therapy dog for visiting in retirement centers, memory care units and hospitals.

Good wishes to Kim are welcome in the comments box below. Each message will be shared with her.