Laura Kohn-Wood

Laura P. Kohn-Wood, Ph.D., is Dean and Professor in the Department of Educational and Psychological Studies at the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development. Renowned in the field of psychology, she holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a minor specialization in Community Psychology from the University of Virginia (1996), an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the same university (1993), and a B.S. in Psychology from Howard University (1990). She completed a clinical psychology internship at the University of California, San Francisco (1995-1997) and a Primary Care Research Fellowship at Georgetown University Medical Center (1997-1999). Her career includes faculty positions as Assistant Professor (1999-2005) and Associate Professor (2005-2008) of Psychology at the University of Michigan. Since joining the University of Miami in 2009 as Associate Professor in Educational and Psychological Studies, she advanced to Professor (2017-present), chaired the department (2014-2018), served as Interim Vice Provost for Institutional Culture (2018) and founding Co-Chair of the Standing Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2015-2018), and became Dean in 2018. She directed the Ph.D. Program in Community Well-Being (2013-2014) and the Master’s Program in Community & Social Change (2009-2013).

Dr. Kohn-Wood's research specializations include mental health disparities, racial identity and coping styles, community psychology, health disparities in ethnic minorities, cultural competency in primary care, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression in African American populations. She co-authored the book Qualitative Strategies for Ethnocultural Research (American Psychological Association, 2012) and numerous peer-reviewed articles, such as "The Influence of Hope on the Relationship Between Racial Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms" (2008), "Disparity in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis Among African American Pregnant Women" (2011), "The Daily Life Experiences Scale" (2021), and "Standing on the Shoulders of a Giant: The Legacy of Robert M. Sellers" (2023), with over 1,200 citations. Her accolades encompass the EPIC Foundation Hero Award (2021), Unsung Hero Award (2019), Distinguished Administrator Award (2018), William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award (2016), Vanguard Award (2016), and Iron Arrow Honor Society initiation (2015). She has held editorial positions, committee roles, and delivered invited public lectures, amplifying her influence in academia.

Professional Email: l.kohnwood@miami.edu