Rate My Professor Sabrina Grondhuis

Sabrina N. Grondhuis is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Millsaps College, a position she has held since 2023 following her promotion to Associate Professor in 2019 and initial appointment as Assistant Professor in 2013. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from The Ohio State University in 2014, an M.A. in Psychology from the same institution in 2010, and a B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine in 2008, graduating cum laude and inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Grondhuis directs the Developmental Psychology Lab at Millsaps, mentoring undergraduate students in research projects presented at regional and national conferences. Her teaching emphasizes liberal arts ideals, connecting psychology to everyday life through nontraditional grading, applied assessments with community partners, and creative assignments such as board games, music playlists, and short videos to engage students and prepare them for post-graduation opportunities.

Grondhuis's research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder, child development, inclusive pedagogy, and nontraditional grading. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including 'Overweight and obesity in youth with developmental disabilities: a call to action' (Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2014), 'Assessment of anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders' (Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2012), 'Differences in verbal and nonverbal IQ tests in children with autism spectrum disorder' (Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2018), 'Standardized observation analogue procedure in the Treatment of Severe Childhood Aggression (TOSCA) study' (Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 2020), and 'Having difficulties reading the facial expression of older individuals? Blame it on the facial muscles, not the wrinkles' (Frontiers in Psychology, 2021). Her work has garnered significant citations, demonstrating impact in the field. Grondhuis has received numerous honors, including the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Division of Sciences (2019), Science Fellowship Award (2022), multiple Faculty Development and Travel Grants, and annual Commendations in Teaching, Scholarship, and Service. She has also collaborated on grants from the Associated Colleges of the South, including Innovating Instruction Grants in 2022.