Professors are People Too: Dr. Laura Dimler
As of Fall 2018, the College of Arts and Sciences has hired a new psychology professor, Dr. Laura Dimler, who is the first female psychology professor at Regent University. She did her undergraduate at Pepperdine University, another small Christian school, so she is enjoying her return to that environment. She is a research psychologist, officially known as a developmental psychopathologist, which is a researcher who studies the development of psychopathology, or mental disorders.
What made you pursue psychology?
Dr. Dimler: I’ve always been interested in the “why.” Why do people act a certain way, behave a certain way, think a certain way? It made me consider law, even marketing, but ultimately when I sat down and really thought about it, I was interested in how people make decisions and how that affected their lives. That ultimately is the study of the individual, which was psychology. I’ve been really, really blessed to have some great mentors so I could hone it better.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Dr. Dimler: I know, it’s cliché, but I would want to have dinner with either Jesus or his mom, Mary. She was picked specifically by God, and why her? I want to know as a mother and with a mother’s love, if she weeps for us too? What she would say, as a mother, to comfort us as we go through life or words of encouragement? I would just love to view the world from her motherly lens.
What is your favorite movie?
Dr. Dimler: Father of the Bride. I’m actually not a big movie person. Sitting still for about three hours and having to be focused for however long the movie is doesn’t sound very appealing to me, but that movie, I can quote. So it’s one of the very few movies, I will sit down and watch since I was five years old.
So, you have a Sunday afternoon completely free of responsibilities – what do you do?
Dr. Dimler: I usually will work out and then just do nothing. Whatever that nothing is – whether it’s playing with my dog, taking her out – but just something mindless. I have a very cerebral job, so if I have the opportunity to not use my brain, I take it.
Coffee or tea?
Dr. Dimler: Coffee. No question.
What book or movie has made the biggest impact on your life (outside the Bible)?
Dr. Dimler: Tuesdays with Morrie is up there. It just opened up my view to what kind of struggles other people have – deep, deep struggles – as well as just the conversations that occur in the book. I definitely say Tuesdays with Morrie is up there.
If you can ask God one question, what would it be?
Dr. Dimler: Are we doing it right? Are we doing life right? The answer is no because we’re humans and we’re fallen, but are we at least on the right track? Where else do we need to be going – what else do we need to be doing – in order to try to do His will?
And because I know you’ve mentioned your love a few times in class: what’s your favorite dog breed?
Dr. Dimler: Rescue! Rescue is my favorite dog breed. I grew up with golden retrievers and labs, but I’ve owned a little Jack Russell and Terrier mix, like Toto from Wizard of Oz, and now I own a Border Collie-Yellow Labrador mix, so I really don’t care. I just think dogs, no matter how big or small, they are just little love bugs and with enough training and love, they’re all great. I don’t care if they’re pitbulls or tiny little chihuahuas – any dog.
Welcome, Dr. Dimler, to the Regent family!
Danielle Crowley is a staff writer for the Daily Runner.