Elizabeth Lake, Ph.D.

• Ph.D., Graduate School and University Center at The City University of New York
• B.A., Psychology, California State University, Stanislaus

I am an accomplished educator and researcher serving as an Associate Professor of Psychology in the School of Arts and Sciences at Fresno Pacific University.

Education and Academic Background

I earned my Ph.D. from the Graduate School and University Center at The City University of New York, reflecting advanced graduate training in Environmental Psychology with a focus on Developmental Psychology. Prior to that, I earned my B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, which grounded me early in the core principles of the field early in my academic career.
 

Teaching and Service at Fresno Pacific University

At Fresno Pacific University, I am deeply committed to teaching excellence. In recognition of my work, I received the Nickel Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018, reflecting my deep impact on students through my knowledge, passion for psychology and supportive presence in the classroom. I was also honored with the President’s Distinguished Service Award for Faculty in 2023.

I actively mentor students in applied research projects. For example, I recently guided psychology majors through a year-long study titled “Thriving?: A Study of First-Generation Freshmen at Fresno Pacific University,” which culminated in students presenting their research at the Central California Behavioral Health Conference. In this role, I support students from project design through completion.

Teaching Emphasis

I currently teach the introductory research course for psychology students (PSY 210 Research Methods), early development courses (PSY 252 Child Development and PSY 355 Adolescent Development), an advanced course in behavior and learning (PSY 380 Behavioral Psychology) and I also frequently teach the program’s General Education course (PSY 120 General Psychology).

• "Gendered Teaching: Experiences of an Embodied Educator" and "Gender and Religious Diversity in the Humanities and Social Sciences: Teaching and Mentoring at Fresno Pacific University," co-presented with Bruce Boeckel, English faculty, at Conversations Toward Wholeness: Creating and Sustaining Climates in Which Women & Men Flourish in Christian Higher Education, CCCU conference, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California, April 2008