Rate My Professor Susan McMahon

Susan McMahon is the Vincent de Paul Professor of Psychology and Professor of Clinical and Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology at DePaul University’s College of Science and Health, where she serves as Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Community Psychology from DePaul University in 1996, an M.A. in Clinical Community Psychology with distinction from DePaul in 1992, and a B.S. in Psychology with high distinction from the University of Iowa in 1988. McMahon has been at DePaul since 1996, starting as Visiting Assistant Professor, becoming Assistant Professor in 1998, Associate Professor in 2003, and Professor in 2008. She chaired the Psychology Department from 2011 to 2016, directed the Community Psychology Doctoral Program from 2004 to 2010, and chaired the University Institutional Review Board from 2004 to 2010. She also held roles as Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development from 2016 to 2020 and Associate Dean for Research from 2020 to 2021.

McMahon’s research examines violence against educators and school personnel, school climate, teacher experiences with aggression, and violence prevention, using an ecological framework to inform school practices and policies. She chairs the American Psychological Association Task Force on Violence Against Educators and School Personnel, served as Past President of the Society for Community Research and Action (Division 27 of APA) from 2017 to 2018, and is President of the Society of Vincent de Paul Professors. Her projects include national surveys of over 3,000 teachers across 48 states and collaborations with Chicago Public Schools on violence prevention for urban youth and classroom management evaluations. She has published over 65 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, including “Violence against educators and school personnel, Retention, Stress, and Training Needs: National Survey Results” (American Psychologist, 2024), “Teacher-directed violence and anxiety and stress: Predicting intentions to transfer and quit” (School Psychology, 2023), and the book “Consulting and Evaluation with Nonprofit and Community-Based Organizations” (2010). Awards include the DePaul College of Science and Health Excellence in Research Award (2023), DePaul Spirit of Inquiry Award (2021), SCRA Outstanding Educator Award (2012), Louise De Marillac Women of Spirit & Action Award (2014), and fellowships from SCRA and the Midwestern Psychological Association.