Krista Chronister, professor of counseling psychology in the UO’s College of Education, has been selected as the new vice provost of graduate studies and will head the newly created Division of Graduate Studies.
Provost Patrick Phillips made the announcement in an email to faculty, staff and graduate employees, highlighting Chronister’s teaching, research and service to the University of Oregon. In addition to overseeing the new division, she will and support graduate education across the UO’s schools and colleges.
“Krista has established an impressive record of leadership,” Phillips wrote. “Since joining the UO, she has worked diligently to improve students’ educational access and training, placing an emphasis on underrepresented minority students’ educational experiences.”
In addition to her faculty position, Chronister has served as the associate dean for academic affairs and equity, interim director of the HEDCO Clinic and assistant dean for equity and inclusion. She also served as the interim director at the Center on Diversity and Community, as well as the director of training for the UO counseling psychology’s doctoral program.
“One of the greatest rewards of my career has been contributing directly to graduate students’ professional development and collaboratively carrying out research that serves our communities and advances the discipline,” Chronister said. “I look forward to serving graduate programs in different, broader ways in this new position.”
Chronister’s research focuses on two primary areas in the fields of psychology, human development and public health. The first looks into the effect intimate partner violence has on women’s educational, career and economic development opportunities. Her internationally recognized research-intervention work led to the creation of one of the first group programs to promote mental health healing and career development for women experiencing abuse.
Her second area of focus involves ongoing research, primarily with Filipino Americans and Filipino immigrants, understanding how to engage the social circles of abuse survivors so women can get help accessing resources and ultimately prevent intimate partner violence in that community and beyond.
Chronister holds a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Florida as well as a master’s and doctorate in counseling psychology, both from the University of Oregon.
The full text of Phillip’s announcement is available on the Office of the Provost website.
—By Jesse Summers, University Communications