We are honored to welcome Professor Eleanor Seaton to the Department of Psychology faculty starting in Spring 2024! Dr. Seaton will be primarily affiliated with the Developmental area.
Can you briefly share your academic and professional background that led you to the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
I am originally from the Southside of Chicago and attended Whitney M. Young High School. I earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master's degree in Social-Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Temple University. I also completed post-doctoral work at the Program for Research on Black Americans, which is housed at the University of Michigan. I began my academic career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and my most recent position was at Arizona State University.
Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve during your time at UIUC's Department of Psychology? Are there any long-term goals you're aiming for?
I hope to make this department an inclusive space for underrepresented students, especially those interested in pursuing graduate work in Psychology. I have had some amazing mentors (e.g., James Jackson, Robert Sellers, Cleopatra Caldwell, Ronald Taylor), and believe in paying it forward.
On a personal note, what do you enjoy doing outside of your academic and professional life? Any hobbies, interests, or experiences you'd like to share?
I believe in work-life balance because if you work hard, you should play harder! I love journaling, traveling, shopping, watching films and television shows, and dancing to Chicago style house music. My lifelong hobby is baking, which I have been doing since the age of eight. My cakes and cookies are legendary!
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the department and the UIUC community?
It is surreal returning to the department where my academic career began! I look forward to connecting with my departmental and university colleagues.
