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Dr. Kate Votaw is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Pierre Laclede Honors College. She has worked full-time at the PLHC since 2016, but worked part-time before that, as she completed her PhD from Saint Louis University, and before that as a student when she completed her Bachelor's degree at UMSL.
Her academic background is in the field of Social Psychology. She teaches General Education courses (e.g., Honors General Psychology, Honors Social Psychology, Principles of Psychology in Popular Culture, AKA "The Harry Potter Class") for students in the PLHC. All of her classes cover the topic of psychological or behavioral sciences, but also emphasize a focus on the underlying foundation of using the scientific research process as a method to answer questions, personal and societal applications of concepts covered in class, and student-led accountability for learning as she often utilizes less traditional pedagogies, such as "UnGrading" or the "UnEssay," in her courses.
In addition to teaching, Kate also advises students with Psychology (last names J-Z), Music, Music Education, or Undeclared majors in the Honors College and is the faculty advisor for the Pierre Laclede Honors College Student Association. Campus-wide, she serves as the UMSL Undergraduate Research Coordinator and organizes the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, among other responsibilities.
Personally, she's a proud pet mom, watches way too much nerdy TV, and her hobby seems to be starting new crafting projects (but not necessarily finishing them), and she's delighted to discuss any of these topics with students.
Associate Teaching Professor & Undergraduate Research Coordinator