Dr. Susan Becker
Associate Professor of Pyschology

B.A. Psychology - Reed College (OR)
M.A. Clinical Psychology. - University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology - University of Arizona

Started at Mesa State: Fall, 1996

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington

Favorite book: Dune, Frank Herbert [First published in July 1968, critics still consider Dune one of the top science fiction books ever written.]

Favorite Ice Cream: Butter Pecan

Favorite movie: Alien. I think it really showed audiences that a woman could be the star of an action movie.

Stranded on an island must have: my family, the fattest novel I could find, and our dog, Zaphod (named for Zaphod Beeblebrox - the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out to lunch president of the galaxy... see Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams)

 

A conversation with Dr. Becker

What brought you to Mesa State?
When I started looking for teaching opportunities, I really looked for a good place to raise a family. I saw the pressures that exist for faculty members at larger universities. Those pressures often mean family sacrifices... sacrifices that my husband and I aren't willing to make. I also really believe in the value of public education. I get to work with all kinds of students here. I like a place like Mesa that values teaching. It's easy to feel comfortable at Mesa State because it is a good campus full of teachers.

What's your personal philosophy on educating students?
I prefer the Socratic Method. The better questions I ask, the more students are pushed to really think about things. I believe that students learn more when they discuss more. I also expect students to be actively involved in being responsible for their own work.

As a faculty member you teach Psychology, but is there a narrow part of the field that you really enjoy?
I think I'm more of a generalist. I love it all. I spend most of my time teaching counseling and clinical classes, but I really enjoy all of psychology.

If you could go back to college and study anything but psychology, what would you study?
Horticulture. I love growing things. I'm really into planting and gardening.

What do you do with your weekends?
I would like to do more gardening and more reading, but mostly I end up doing a lot of housework.

 

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