Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Ball State University
About
Lauren Christine Mims, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Ball State University. She holds a doctoral degree in educational psychology from the University of Virginia, a master's degree in child development from Tufts University, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia. She was also appointed assistant director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans during the Obama administration.
Current Work:
Lauren's work focuses on promoting the wellbeing and development of Black students, with a particular focus on Black girls. The late American poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou once said, "You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot — it's all there. Everything influences each of us." Therefore, Lauren uses a mixed methods approach to explore how the "sum total" of schooling influences students' identities.
Research Area Keyword(s):
Black girls, identity, positive youth development, intersectionality, child/adolescent development