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Jenna Scisco - Associate Professor, Psychological Sciences

Ph.D., Clemson University

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Jenna Scisco

Professor Jenna Scisco regularly teaches Research Methods, Statistics and Physiological Psychology. She works closely with Eastern students in her “Health and Human Performance Lab” on research related to obesity bias, nutrition, eating behaviors and technology use in the workplace. Before coming to Eastern, she was a research psychologist for the U.S. Army’s Military Nutrition Division. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in human factors psychology from Clemson University. Professor Scisco and her colleagues from Clemson University hold a U.S. patent for a “Bite Counter” device that measures ambulatory eating activity.

How did you end up at Eastern?

“I went to a public liberal arts college for my undergraduate degree (The College of New Jersey). My dream was to teach psychology at a similar institution, and Eastern was a perfect fit.”

What is your favorite class to teach?

“My favorite class to teach is our Global Field Course in Psychology. I have taken Eastern students to study abroad in England, Ireland and Italy. It is such a rewarding experience to be able to expose students to new cultures and the experience of international travel. Another class I love to teach is Health Psychology because students get to engage in a health behavior change project to improve their own lives.”

Research focus

“I conduct research on wellbeing in the workplace. Most recently, my work has centered around studying active workstations like treadmill desks. Three Eastern students and I recently published an article about the perceived benefits of treadmill desks. That research led to the installation of treadmill desks in Eastern’s library for the university community to use!”

What do you enjoy most about teaching at Eastern?

“The most rewarding thing about teaching at Eastern is when we send our students off to graduate school or their careers, and they come back to share how their experiences at Eastern set them up for success. Knowing that I’m making a meaningful impact on our students’ lives is what keeps me going.”

I have taken Eastern students to study abroad in England, Ireland and Italy. It is such a rewarding experience to be able to expose students to new cultures and the experience of international travel.


Jenna Scisco posing for photo with students

Teaching philosophy?

“I believe in cultivating a classroom environment where we can all learn together as part of an inclusive community. I challenge my students to think critically and to work both independently and as part of a team while developing their communication skills.”

Memorable moments?

“Some moments from my Global Field Course in Italy entitled ‘Cross-Cultural Psychology of Food’ really stand out. For example, we visited Dario Cecchini’s butcher shop Antica Macelleria Cecchini and enjoyed a multi-course meal that showed respect for the full animal by using everything from nose to tail.”

Thank you so much to helping me grow as a student. You make me feel like it is okay to be human and we all go through tough times, and that no one is perfect. I feel so much more confident not only as a student but as an individual in the professional world. Thank you for being such an incredible professor.
Student Quote