Barnard College President Sian Beilock on Success in Education
Barnard College President Sian Beilock on Success in Education. A cognitive scientist by training, President Beilock is focused on developing Barnard as a singular institution.
She is raising the College’s eminence in math, science, and technology to parallel its renown in the arts and humanities. Building on Barnard’s unique relationship with Columbia University, President Beilock is increasing options for students to transition directly from the College into a range of master’s programs at Columbia, including international relations, public health, computer science, and engineering.
In addition, she is also working to bridge the gap between college and life after college through the innovative Beyond Barnard office; to amplify the importance of health and wellness through the opening of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being; and to ensure that Barnard continues to attract a highly diverse student body that is deeply engaged with all that the College and the City of New York have to offer.
Prior to her appointment as President, Beilock spent twelve years at the University of Chicago.
As the Stella M. Rowley Professor of Psychology and a member of the Committee on Education, she specialized in how children and adults learn and perform at their best, especially under stress. In her role as a member of UChicago’s senior leadership, she served as the Executive Vice Provost and an Officer of the University.
In her research, Beilock focuses specifically on success in math and science for women and girls. And how performance anxiety is exacerbated or alleviated by teachers, parents, and peers. She explores the brain and body factors that influence skill learning and performance. As well as how simple psychological strategies ensure success in high-stakes situations. Ranging from test-taking and public speaking to athletics. She has published more than 100 papers. In addition, has received funding from the National Science Foundation. Including a CAREER award, the Department of Education, and several foundations.
Beilock won the 2017 Troland Award from the National Academy of Sciences.
In addition, she is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In addition, the American Psychological Association, and a member of the National Academy of Kinesiology. Early in her career, she received awards from the Association for Psychological Science. Furthermore, the American Psychological Foundation, the Psychonomic Society, and the Society of Experimental Psychologists.
In conclusion, President Beilock is the author of two books in more than a dozen languages. The critically acclaimed Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal about Getting It Right When You Have To (2010) and How the Body Knows Its Mind: The Surprising Power of the Physical Environment to Influence How You Think and Feel (2015). Her 2017 TED talk has over 2.5 million views.
Lastly, President Beilock earned her Bachelor of Science in cognitive science from the University of California, San Diego. And doctorates of philosophy in both kinesiology and psychology from Michigan State University.
