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Diverse fields of study that share one
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Jennifer Crissman Ishler
Jennifer L. Crissman Ishler
Teaching Professor of Human Development and Family Studies
Department
  • Human Development and Family Studies - HDFS
  • Undergraduate Program
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Education
  • B.S., 1991, Elementary Education, Millersville University
  • M.S., 1993, Counseling, Shippensburg University
  • D.Ed., 1999, Higher Education Administration, The Pennsylvania State University
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Phone
Office Address
214 Health & Human Development Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Fax
814-863-7963
Specializations

Child adoption, gender issues, first year student adjustment, and counseling skills and theory.

Professional Experience

2020-present, Teaching Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University

2017-2020, Associate Faculty Member, Human Development and Family Studies, the Pennsylvania State University

2006 - 2017, Assistant Teaching Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University

1999 - 2006, Assistant Teaching Professor, Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology and Rehabilitation Services Department, The Pennsylvania State University

2001 - 1999, Coordinator of the College Counseling Emphasis with the College Student Affairs Program, Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology and Rehabilitation Services Department, The Pennsylvania State University

1996 - 1999, Research Assistant, Center for the Study of Higher Education, Higher Education Department, The Pennsylvania State University

1993 - 1996, Director of New Student Services, Mount Saint Mary College, NY

1993 - 1991, Residence Hall Director, Shippensburg University

Publications
  • Kennedy, K., & Crissman Ishler, J. (2008). The changing college student. In Gordon, Habley & Grites (Eds.) Academic advising: A handbook (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

  • Burghardt, D. A. & Crissman Ishler, J. L. (2007). Issues facing Black women students at predominantly white institutions. The Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education, 15, 9–18.

  • Crissman Ishler, J. L. (2005). Today’s first-year students. In Upcraft, Gardner & Barefoot’s (Eds.) Challenging and supporting the first-year student: A handbook for improving the first year of college. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

  • Crissman Ishler, J. L., & Upcraft, M. L. (2005). The keys to first-year student persistence. In Upcraft, Gardner & Barefoot’s (Eds.) Challenging and supporting the first-year student: A handbook for improving the first year of college. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

  • Upcraft, M. L., Crissman Ishler, J. L., & Swing, R. (2005). A beginner’s guide for assessing first-year programs. In Upcraft, Gardner & Barefoot’s (Eds.) Challenging and supporting the first-year student: A handbook for improving the first year of college. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

  • Crissman Ishler, J. L. (2004). Tracing “friendsickness” during the first year of college through journal writing: A qualitative study. NASPA Journal, 41, 518–537.

  • Crissman Ishler, J. L. (2003). Laying the foundation for general education: The role of first-year and short seminars. The Journal of General Education, 52, pp. 71–83.

  • Crissman Ishler, J. L., & Schreiber, S. (2002). First-year female students: Their perceptions of friendship during the first-year experience. Journal of the Freshman Year Experience and Students in Transition, 14, 89–104.

  • Cabrera, A. F., Crissman, J. L., Bernal, E. M., Nora, A., Terenzini, P. T., & Pascarella, E. T. (2002). Collaborative learning: Its impact on college students’ development and diversity. Journal of College Student Development, 43, 20–34.

  • Crissman, J. L. (2001). Clustered and nonclustered first year seminars: New students’ first semester experiences. Journal of the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, 13, 69-88.

  • Crissman, J. L. (2001). The impact of clustering first year seminars and English composition courses on new students’ retention rates. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory, and Practice,3, 137–152.

Additional Information

2009: Faculty Appreciation Award, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Health & Human Development Alumni Society

2008: Making the First Year Count Award, The Pennsylvania State University, Residence Life

2004: Best Overall Conference Presentation, PCPA

2000: Excellence Award, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Education