Education:

B.A., 1986; M. A., 1992; Ph.D., 1995; University of Arizona

Teaching:

Death and Human Behavior, Adult Development and Aging, Aging and Adjustment

Research:

Death & dying, healthy aging, age-related disorders (especially Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease), memory, awareness of deficit in persons with neuropsychological disorders

Professional Organizations:

American Psychological Association (APA), APA Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging), Gerontological Society of America, International Neuropsychological Society, Ozarks Area Psychological Association

Service Organizations:

Parkinson's Group of the Ozarks, Springfield Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Community Alliance for Compassionate Care at the End of Life

Professional Interests:

Death and dying issues, hospice, genetics of Alzheimer's disease, cultural differences on a variety of topics

Personal Interests:

Dancing dancing dancing!  Spending time with family & friends.  Watching and participating in sports.  Painting (acrylics and watercolors)

You may access Dr. Newman's Blackboard pages at the following addresses:

PSY 350 Psychology of Adulthood
PSY 363 Death and Human Behavior
PSY 365 Aging and Adjustment

DR. Bradley Fisher

Dr. Bradley Fisher received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Michigan State University in 1988 and, two years earlier, was awarded a Specialist in Aging certificate from the University of Michigan. In 1988, he joined the faculty in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Missouri State University. He served as the Coordinator of the Gerontology Program from 1990-1993 and, after a nation-wide search, was offered the position of Director of Gerontology at Missouri State.

Dr. Fisher served as Director of Gerontology from 1993-2004. During that time, he revised the curriculum of the Gerontology Program to bring it into full compliance with the guidelines and standards established by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. Dr. Fisher is dedicated to the continual improvement of the Gerontology Program in terms of course offerings, student advisement, recruitment and retention of students, career guidance, and the placement of graduating seniors in community jobs. In 2004, Dr. Fisher stepped down from the Directorship to assume a faculty position as a professor in gerontology within the Psychology Department. This will allow him to stay involved with the Gerontology Program while providing more opportunities to pursue his love of teaching.

Dr. Fisher teaches the following courses: Aging, the Individual and Society (GER 310), Elderly and the Media (GER 301), Successful Aging and Identity Issues in Later Life (GER 302), the Seminar in Gerontology (GER 499) and supervises Gerontology majors in their field practica placements (GER 498). He also teaches Social Psychology (PSY 359), Naturalistic Methods in Social Psychology (PSY 300).

Dr. Fisher considers community service an important aspect of his role as a faculty member. His service includes participation on the board of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the board of the Community Alliance for Compassionate Care at the End of Life, and as the organizer of the Annual Senior Art Exhibition, to name a few. He also serves on the Program Development Committee for the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education as the chair of the Program of Merit committee. Dr. Fisher is also involved in service to the University as a member of the Premedical Student Review committee, and as a member of the Faculty-Student Judicial Review committee.

 

Dr. Carol A. Gosselink earned her Ph.D. in Sociology with a minor in Gerontology from Iowa State University in 1987. She won the Award for Excellence with her dissertation. During her doctoral program, she was awarded the Midwest Council on Aging's scholarship for two consecutive years, receiving training at quarterly seminars from nationally-recognized gerontologists. After focusing on research at the University of Iowa, University of Chicago, and the AMC Cancer Research Center in Denver, CO, Dr. Gosselink worked three years at the Area Agency on Aging in the seven-county Denver metropolitan region. In 1997, she accepted a position in the Gerontology Program at the University of Northern Colorado, teaching both undergraduate and graduate coursework. In 2001, Dr. Gosselink joined the Gerontology Program at Missouri State University (Missouri State) as an assistant professor, working closely with the director, Dr. Fisher, to enhance and expand the gerontology program.

In both fall and spring semesters, Dr. Gosselink teaches a capstone course entitled "The Impact of Aging in the 21st Century" (GEP 397) in which she discusses the major social, environmental, health care and economic ramifications of 78 million aging baby boomers. Her other gerontology courses, offered annually in fall or spring semesters, include Community Resources for Older Adults (GER 470), Public Policy (GER 380), Families in Later Life (GER 365), and Gender and Aging Issues (GER 320). Dr. Gosselink is also developing several Intersession courses on Assistive Technology and Life-Long Relationships. Dr. Gosselink's professional objectives entail trying to create a positive learning environment for students and helping them to gain real-world experience in the field of aging to enhance their ability to secure successful careers.

In her personal life, Dr. Gosselink lives in Springfield with her adored cat Tuck who, after rescued from the Denver Humane Society, rode 933 miles by car to his new digs in Missouri. As abeing volunteer for the local humane shelter, Dr. Gosselink encountered a beagle-basset mix (AKA a bagel) that needed a home. She was named EV in honor of Dr. Gosselink's beloved mother who died in 2001. As Dr. Gosselink became more active with the animal shelter, she fostered dozens of dogs and cats until they found forever homes. She couldn't part with one foster cat, General Burnside, so he joined the family last year. Tuck, EV, General Burnside (Picture forthcoming) and Dr. Gosselink are delighted to be at Missouri State in the Gerontology Program and hope to continue aging naturally together.