Equitable development for all children

Norwood Glaspie has always been curious about how children acquire and process information, how they learn from their social environments, and how social and cognitive factors interact in shaping their development. Additionally, he notes that inequities in America have had a profound influence on his life as well as on others with similar backgrounds. He has merged these two themes in his research.

“I am driven to study the cognitive mechanisms that influence children’s beliefs to find ways to potentially mitigate these biases,” he says.

Glaspie’s particular interests are in cognitive development, social learning, and cognition. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina in his home state but chose the Institute of Child Development (ICD) at CEHD for his doctorate.

“I chose to study at ICD because of its outstanding reputation in the field and its comprehensive approach to understanding child growth and development,” he says.

Glaspie’s career goal is to become a leading researcher and educator in the field of developmental psychology. “I aim to uncover insights that can inform evidence-based interventions and policies to support equitable and healthy development for all children,” he says.

Being at ICD has significantly advanced his academic and professional journey, Glaspie says. Helping him on his journey is the ICD Alumni Doctoral Fellowship, which supports outstanding scholars driven to make a difference, and the Carrie DePasquale Scholarship, which provides aid to first-generation students.

“Being recognized with this fellowship and scholarship has boosted my confidence and validated my efforts, motivating me to strive for excellence in my studies and research,” Glaspie says. These accolades have also enhanced his academic profile, making him a more competitive candidate for future opportunities in both academia and industry, he adds.
“To the benefactor of these gifts I would like to say thank you...thank you! Your generosity has had a profound impact on my academic journey and personal development,” he says. “To future benefactors, I would say that your contributions can truly change lives. By supporting students, you are investing in the future of research, innovation, and societal progress.”

—KEVIN MOE

(Photo by Jayme Halbritter)