Dr. Ruffus-Doerr has over 20 of years experience teaching in higher education, working at Fontbonne University, Webster University and Harris Stowe State University before joining UMSL. She earned her PhD in Educational Psychology from UMSL and holds a bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Art History from UMSL and the Pierre Laclede Honors College.
Dr. Ruffus-Doerr’s teaching spans undergraduate and graduate levels, covering a wide range of courses including cognitive psychology, psychological disorders, child development, social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, service learning and the psychology of fake news. Her teaching has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award, nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Her research focuses on peer-to-peer advocacy and is the founder of the Peer Support Allies a program to normalize help-seeking behaviors in historically marginalized groups, knowledge building in higher education, and service learning pedagogy. She has published on knowledge building and trauma-informed education and has held leadership roles in curriculum development, assessment, and faculty governance, and has been a dedicated advisor to student organizations.
