News & Information

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - May 9, 2012) A California Lutheran University associate professor of psychology known for her dedication to teaching and mentoring student researchers received the 2012 President's Award for Teaching Excellence.

President Chris Kimball selected Marylie Gerson of Westlake Village for the award, which was created in 1995 by President Luther Luedtke to recognize professors who are held in high esteem by their peers, the students and the rest of the university community.

Gerson joined the faculty in 2001, and her extensive knowledge has enabled her to teach a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses including research methods and clinical, developmental and social psychology. A practicing clinical psychologist whose love of mentoring brought her to CLU, she strives to excite and guide students in the many aspects of psychological inquiry, and she is consistently a favorite among students.Gerson could not accept her award at the Honors Day Banquet because she and six of her students were presenting their research poster on "Stressor Characteristics and Explanatory Styles That Promote Resilience" at the Western Psychological Association Convention in San Francisco.

She has presented and published extensively in the field, and her current research looks at identity development, openness to diversity, resilience and the ability to thrive in the face of stressors.

Gerson graduated magna cum laude from the College of William and Mary with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She earned a master's degree in psychology and a doctorate in social psychology from Princeton University.