Sharon, PA 16146
Biography
Roxanne Atterholt is an Associate Teaching Professor and Program Coordinator in the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) program at Penn State Shenango. Since joining the faculty full-time in 2013, she has been dedicated to fostering an engaging and inclusive learning environment that extends beyond the classroom. Her teaching philosophy is centered on the belief that learning is an ongoing process, shaped by both content and delivery. She prioritizes active learning, critical thinking, and real-world application, ensuring that students leave her courses not only with knowledge but with the confidence to make meaningful contributions in their communities and professions.
With a career that spans academia and human services, Roxanne has held professional roles within the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, focusing on juvenile justice and intellectual support services. Her expertise also includes trainer certification in adult and youth mental health first aid and peer education
Roxanne is a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) and a Board-Certified Human Services Practitioner (BC-HSP). She actively contributes to the field as a grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and serves as a reviewer for national conferences, manuscripts, and program curricula.
Research Interests
Roxanne’s research interests center on interdisciplinary approaches to human services. She explores topics related to child and adolescent development, restorative practices, mental health education, and the professional training of human service practitioners. Additionally, she is engaged in research on higher education teaching methodologies, particularly in the areas of student engagement, faculty resilience, and innovative pedagogical practices.
Publications
Cruz, L., Atterholt, R., Divens, T., Humphrey, J., Jewell, J., Petricini, T., & Shaffer, K Fourth Space: An Auto-ethnography of a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Micro-Community. Transformative Dialogues. Cruz, L., Atterholt, R., Divens, T., Humphrey, J., Jewell, J., Petricini, T., & Shaffer, K. (2024). Transformative Dialogues: Teaching and Learning Journal, 17(2).
Cruz, L., & Atterholt, R. (2024). Shock Waves: Academic Witnessing as Resiliency Practice in Higher Education. The Journal of Faculty Development, 38(1), 35-43.
McGuigan, W. Luchette, J, & Atterholt, R. (2018). Physical neglect in childhood as a predictor of violent behavior in adolescent males. Child Abuse and Neglect, 79, 395-400.
Atterholt, R. Yaure, R., Seidel, A., Jacobsen-McConnell, L., Ittig, M. Leveraging Resources and Expertise: Seeking CFLE Approved Program Status Collaboratively, CFLE Network. 35(1) 9-10.
Atterholt, R., Long, A. (2020). Thinking Outreach: How CFLE’s can Provide Substance Abuse Education, CFLE Network. 33.2, (8–10).
Education
Master of Youth Counseling and Restorative Practices, International Institute for Restorative Practices, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio