Faculty Profile

Headshot of Julie Bowker.

Julie Bowker

Associate Professor
Psychology
Email jcbowker@buffalo.edu

Education:

  • PhD, Human Development/Developmental Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, 2005

Professional experience:

  • Associate Professor, Higher Education, University at Buffalo

What mentoring means to me:

Mentoring is one part of my job that I enjoy the most. I had an incredibly supportive and intellectually stimulating mentor when I was in graduate school, and I continue to benefit professionally and personally from my relationship with him. Therefore, I try to provide a similar experience for the students with whom I work. As a developmental psychologist, I believe that most students need more hands-on and direct mentoring earlier in their graduate training. But, I also believe that one can never be too "senior" in their training to benefit from close mentoring and relationships with faculty. I have been at UB for over 14 years, but have also had numerous experiences teaching and doing research abroad. In fact, one element of my research program focuses on cross-cultural variability in the meanings of close relationship experiences and how such experiences impact psychological well-being differently in different societies and cultures. Thus, I look forward to working with students from numerous backgrounds and with diverse experiences.

Topics I am willing to discuss with students:

Academic Culture

  • Decoding and demystifying academic culture and norms.
  • Uncertainty about staying in grad school.

Personal Experiences

  • Caregiving for children.
  • Caregiving for other loved ones.
  • Experiences related to being a woman.