Who are the people behind the lectern? Did they appear one day to discuss t-tests and theories, and then disappear into the ether? It turns out that faculty are people too! The Department of Psychology strives to create a culture replete with high quality research and teaching. To foster that culture, the “meet the faculty” series is designed to give students an idea of what leads one to pursue a career aligned with this culture.
Let’s meet one of newest faculty members, Dr. Jessica Dollar. Dr. Dollar joined the Department of Psychology in the Fall 2025 semester and is aligned with the developmental psychology area. She majored in Psychology at UNCG (yay!) and earned her Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University. You can learn more about Dr. Dollar’s research at her lab website.
Research Background and Interests
What inspired you to become a psychology professor?
I wanted to become a psychology professor for a variety of reasons. I’ve always been fascinated with the complexity of how and why children have different emotional and behavioral responses and how these processes change over time. Also, I always knew that I wanted to have a career that had a positive impact on the lives of children and families. These reasons coupled with the love that I have for teaching and mentorship underscored that this was the career path for me.
Can you describe your research area and interests?
Broadly, my research aims to understand the role of emotional and self-regulatory development, with close attention to the role of the social context, in pathways to psychological well-being and physical health across the first two decades of life. Guided by a developmental science framework, my research aims to: a) specify which facets of self-regulation are most important for particular forms of youth functioning (e.g., mental and physical health, social adjustment, safe technology engagement), b) identify mechanisms to explain how adaptive self-regulation skills is associated with fewer risky health behaviors and lower obesity and cardiometabolic risk for youth, as well as c) what developmental processes and mechanisms explain when reward-driven emotions (e.g., positive affect) are associated with risk or well-being.
Are there any publications or work of which you’re particularly proud?
I really like the Dollar et al. (2023) publication in Development and Psychopathology, “Longitudinal associations between specific types of emotional reactivity and psychological, physical health, and school adjustment”. I feel as though this is a great culmination of research questions that started in graduate school regarding when positive affect might be beneficial or maladaptive for children, and continued through my postdoctoral training about the role of specific types of self-regulation in predicting both psychological and physical well-being.
Working and Teaching at UNCG
What drew you to joining the Psychology Department at UNCG?
I see a unique combination of strengths and opportunities both at UNCG broadly, and within the Psychology Department specifically at UNCG. I enjoy being at a university that values high-caliber research, coupled with an emphasis on undergraduate and graduate teaching both in the classroom and in the lab settings. I also really enjoy engaging with and teaching the students at UNCG; it is a unique student body and I see a lot of value in the opportunities and education that we provide students who come from a variety of backgrounds. I know firsthand the wonderful education that students receive from UNCG and I am eager to be a part of paying that forward to the next generation of students.
Do you have a favorite course that you teach?
I really enjoy teaching PSY 250 (Developmental Psychology), which I am teaching this fall. It is such a great opportunity to highlight to students how an understanding of key developmental theories and processes are important for almost everyone (e.g., for future parents, teachers, doctors, members of society, etc.).
What advice would you give to students aspiring to a career in your area?
Don’t be afraid to take a gap year or two before applying to graduate school! I think that it’s a great time to get relevant research experience and work with children.
Fun Facts!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I spend a lot of my free time outside of work with my husband and two children (10 and 4 years old). We like to spend time outside, especially at the beach or in the mountains. I also really enjoy working in my flower and vegetable gardens and doing barre workouts with my friends.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A lot of people don’t know that I was a serious ballet dancer prior to graduate school.
Could you share a favorite movie, book, or band that you would recommend to others?
I love Brandi Carlile’s music. I saw her perform for the first time from the front row in a small-ish venue before she became such a huge name and it hooked me.
