New Dean of First Year Experience Finalist: Dr. Wendy Palmquist

On April 13, 2015, the Plymouth State University community began their final round of interviews for the new Dean of First Year Experience. The first finalist is Dr. Wendy Palmquist, a current Professor of Psychology at Plymouth State University. As someone who was a highly involved student during her undergraduate career, Dr. Palmquist understands the value of community and wishes to emphasize that as the core value of the First Year Experience. “It is what I think makes Plymouth State an excellent place for students and staff,” said Dr. Palmquist.    

Dr. Palmquist teaches first-year students every semester and helps them transition into the college environment. “Research proves that first-years need to make connections within the first 6 weeks of school,” said Dr. Palmquist. Whether those connections are with faculty members, residential life staff, or fellow peers, first-years need to make those life-long connections in order to feel a sense of place and belonging. “I want the First Year Experience to be a building block of that Community, and connections between academic life and student life, with Student Affairs people working with sections of the [First Year Seminar] course, and much more,” said Dr. Palmquist.

When asked about the negative stigma the First Year Seminar and General Education courses often bring, Dr. Palmquist wants to, instead, educate first-year students about the importance of the skills they learn in these courses. Dr. Palmquist mentioned that the General Education program is built upon research of the top skills employers seek in their employees, such as critical thinking, writing, and problem solving skills. By better marketing these courses, Dr. Palmquist hopes to help students become more adaptable and flexible in their future endeavors.  

Dr. Palmquist began teaching at then Plymouth State College in 1981. She helped create the Women’s Studies minor and has been an active member of the Women’s Studies Council since 1991. Dr. Palmquist specializes in Adolescent Psychology, has a passion for the PSU community, and hopes to continue to serve PSU in this role.