Dr. Elaine Baker
MU-ADVANCE Consultant
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Interim Director, RBA Program

 

 

Dr. Baker has spent three sabbaticals at the Center for Gibbon Studies in Santa Clarita, California.  Left, Dr. Baker's with Alan Mootnick, Director of GCS; right, with Kino and Fatima, a pair of siamangs. Note: Hats are useful in the Southern California sun.

 

Education
B.A. (Psychology), Heidelberg College
M.A. (General Psychology), Miami University
Ph.D., (Experimental Psychology, Specialization in Animal Behavior), Miami University

 

Research
Dr. Baker’s research interests lie in understanding animal and human behaviors; sexuality of animals and humans; cultural and gender differences; as well as aggression in human behavior. Placing a strong emphasis on cultural and sexual diversity in society, she studies human behavior in the context of social organization. Baker has actively presented and consulted on topics related to sexism, sexuality, homosexuality, gender identity, racism, and human rights at many workshops and conferences, and for numerous organizations. She has spoken to a local hospice on the topic of Sexuality and Dying.

 

Dr. Baker's ongoing research includes "Monogamy in Captive Hylobates" and "Captive Gibbon Fathers and Infants."

 

Teaching
Dr. Baker taught several courses during her career at Marshall University, including Animal Behavior, Introductory Psychology, Human Sexuality, Psychology of Aggression, and Research Methods.

 

Service and Outreach
As the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Baker understood the importance of providing instructional and career development opportunities to faculty. She promoted the quality of teaching and learning, focusing on faculty expertise in their disciplines.

 

Through her involvement with minorities' and women's issues, both in the community and at the University, Dr. Baker was instrumental in developing Marshall into a prosperous and diverse interdisciplinary institution. Additionally, she has been, and continues to be, an active consultant throughout her career, which including:

  • 18 years of service on the Outstanding Black High School Student Recruitment Steering Committee;

  • 14 years of service on the Marshall University Affirmative Action Advisory Committee;

  • 7 years of service on the Marshall University Multicultural Commission; and

  • 15 years of service as a member of the Advisory Board to Marshall University's Women's Center.

Since 1986, Dr. Baker has been a member of the Sexual Harassment Grievance Hearing Panel at Marshall, leading to the improvement of institutional quality for female faculty at Marshall University. Dr. Baker has also been a long-term member of the Advisory Board for Branches Domestic Violence Shelter, beginning her association with that organization in 1980.

 

Dr. Baker served as an advisor for Marshall's Pre-Health Professions Advising Committee for 19 years. During her active, decade-plus involvement in the Marshall University Faculty Senate, Dr. Baker served as both the Faculty Senate Academic Planning Committee Chair, from 1987-91, and as the Faculty Senate President from 1995-97.

 

To further her desire to promote the academic and career success of underrepresented students in health care fields, Baker has served as a founding member of the Cabell & Lincoln Counties Local Governing Board for the West Virginia HSTA (Health, Science, and Technology Academy) since 2003.

 

A three-time recipient of the West Virginia Merit Foundation "Professor of the Year" award, Baker has also been honored with several teaching and service awards at Marshall University.

 

Dr. Baker will continue to work with MU-ADVANCE, aiding the Program in its continued efforts to mentor and enhance the careers of female faculty members.

 

Contact Info
telephone: (304) 696-6400
e-mail: bakere@marshall.edu

 

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