Dr. Schmidt is a developmental psychologist who is interested in socioemotional development in early and middle childhood. Her research has focused primarily on the influence of early attachment relationships, emotional behavior, friendships, and family stress in predicting psychosocial adjustment. Dr. Schmidt recently conducted a study of friendship and bullying among third, fourth, and fifth graders, and continues to investigate the effects of mentoring in a longitudinal study of Moravian College’s Learning Connection mentoring program. Dr. Schmidt, along with Dr. Catherine Bagwell of the University of Richmond, is completing a book entitled, Friendship in Childhood and Adolescence.

Dr. Schmidt has her B.A from Drew University and her M.A. and Ph.D. from George Mason University. After completing her doctoral work, she was a MacEldin-Trawick Post Doctoral Teaching and Research Fellow at the University of Richmond for two years under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Newcomb. Dr. Schmidt joined the faculty at Moravian College in 2000, and is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychology.

Dr. Schmidt won both the Timothy Breidegam Memorial Faculty Service Award and the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2003. She also won the Vice President’s Impact Award in 2004 and the Chairman of the Board’s Impact Award in 2007.

In addition to her work in the psychology department, Dr. Schmidt serves as the Director of Academic Leadership Programs at Moravian College (see Leadership Center Website). In this capacity, she oversees the Emerging Leaders Scholarship program, a Reel Leadership series, a Community Grants program, the annual Student Scholarship and Creative Arts Day, service learning initiatives, and other programs that bring students and faculty together to discuss leadership and to promote the common good.