Mara Huber

Mara Huber.

PhD in Cognitive Psychology, UB

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning, UB

“Being a doctoral student in Psychology was definitely the high point of my education. I was finally able to immerse myself in research and theory, grappling with ideas and intellectual puzzles, conducting empirical research, and sharing my findings at prestigious conferences. For the first time, I was truly challenged and humbled by the scholars around me and the opportunities to learn and contribute. And before I knew it, I was a real researcher. The transformation was truly remarkable, and it changed the way I approach just about everything in my life and career.

I always knew that I wanted to apply my learning to more real-world pursuits. I chose Cognitive Psychology because it was foundational to everything, and was bold enough to ask questions about the wiring of our minds and the ways we process information and the world around us. My current work as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning is a dream job in the sense that I get I create, design and collaborate around learning opportunities that help students find their passions and purpose, while supporting their academic and career goals.

After traveling around the world and engaging with partners from diverse industries and social sectors, I realize that a background in Psychology is more relevant than ever before. Today, we desperately need professionals who can handle complexity, stepping into communities and systems, able to quickly assess challenges and identify levers of change. Simply put, we need value adders, and Psychology provides students with lenses, paradigms and frameworks that can guide our thinking, leading us to sound decisions and conclusions on which we can build and move forward. If I had to do it all over again, I would definitely invest in an advanced Psychology degree. It continues to take me in such interesting places." – Mara Huber