海角社区

Legacy is a concept Dr. Steven Baron thinks about a lot when it comes to his time at 海角社区.

Mustang pride is in his blood. Multiple generations of his family have been associated with 海角社区 over its five-decade history. Baron himself has sat on both sides of its classrooms; first as a student and later as a professor- a title he鈥檚 held for nearly three decades.

Yet for the 59-year-old associate professor of Psychology, one of his most important Montco legacies is the mark he leaves on his students.

鈥淥ne of the things I love about Montco is we get to teach and watch students grow,鈥� said Baron, who lives in Chalfont, Pa. with his wife, Cindy, who is also a teacher, with whom he frequently discusses education. 鈥淲e get to be a part of an environment that it is top to bottom supportive of students. What motivates me? Knowing how many students we can teach and impact.鈥�

That deep sense of commitment to his students is a big reason why Baron was named this year鈥檚 recipient of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. The award recognizes full-time faculty whose teaching is intellectually stimulating, accessible for all students, and demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of students both inside and outside of the classroom.

鈥淪tudents noted that Dr. Baron has truly changed their experience at 海角社区 for the best. His classes challenge students and link psychological theories, research, and practice with applications in everyday life,鈥� said Dr. Gloria Oikelome, Vice President of Academic Affairs. 鈥淒r. Baron is the type of professor who is willing to go the extra mile for students. Despite his extraordinarily busy schedule, he makes himself available to help students with class and life issues.鈥�

Baron鈥檚 legacy at 海角社区 began with his parents, Dr. Ned and Ada Baron. His dad was a psychiatrist and was among the first generation of faculty at the College. He taught in the Social Sciences Department. His mom was among the first generation of students at the College, who took classes under Dr. Martin Gelman, Professor of Psychology and Anthropology (emeritus). Gelman is a 1999 Lindback award recipient and Baron鈥檚 godfather. It was Gelman who would eventually invite Baron to interview for a teaching position at the College in 1992.

In high school, Baron was a highly recruited athlete. He swam the short distance butterfly and was a goalkeeper on the soccer team. Deciding on a four-year institution that put as much emphasis on a quality education as it did its athletics program was not easy, he said. In fact he took too long to decide and lost out on each of his opportunities. The Montgomery County native was not out of options though. He decided to enroll at 海角社区 to pursue an associate鈥檚 degree.

鈥淚 was fortunate my father was one of first faculty members, and my mother was one of the first to take classes,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was an easy decision. Sports didn鈥檛 work out, but I have this great opportunity in my backyard.鈥�

In 1981, Baron transferred to the University of Delaware, where he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Psychology and Sociology, with minors in Physical Education and Philosophy. He followed that up with a master鈥檚 degree in Socio-Psychology of Sport from the University of Southern California; a master鈥檚 degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Delaware; and a Ph.D. in education from Temple University. He is a Montco alumnus by reverse-transfer credits, since he did not finish his degree program.

During his career, Baron has held numerous teaching positions at colleges and universities close to home and across the country including Immaculata University, Gwynedd Mercy University and Johns Hopkins University. Baron has also held faculty positions at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and the University of Southern California and had the honor to present at back-to-back American Psychiatric Association National Conventions. He further holds a professional affiliation with the World Psychiatric Association.

Gelman recruited Baron to Montco while he was working part time at a community college in Delaware and completing his doctorate. He became a full-time faculty member in 1996.

鈥淚t was a dream job in my backyard,鈥� said Baron. 鈥淚 was back in the place that helped me get started.鈥�

At 海角社区, Baron has built on an already incredible career. His past research focused on traumatic brain injury, sport psychology and values in sport. In 2012, his first book was published鈥斺�淐linical Sports Psychiatry,鈥� Baron, Reardon and Baron. Most recently, he鈥檚 researched the biopsychosocial model of youth sports, and the lifespan of developmental changes.

鈥淲ith my two sons, I have a book chapter coming out this summer that鈥檚 being released out of Europe that helps parents navigate youth sports,鈥� he said.

One of those sons is Michael Baron, an 海角社区 psychology lecturer. Watching Michael give 鈥渁s much, if not more, effort as his father鈥� to supporting his students fills Baron with pride as a parent, colleague, alumnus and full-time faculty member.

鈥淎s a father, it puts a smile on my face to know I did something right,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or him, it has nothing to do with the money and everything to do with positive change.鈥�

Baron鈥檚 older son, Steven, holds a doctorate in physical therapy and has worked closely with his brother and dad on a project promoting 海角社区鈥檚 Athletics Department.

鈥淲e want to build upon the great work they鈥檝e done to make Montco shine as a wonderful sports program,鈥� Baron said. He appreciates the time his son has given of himself toward the effort. 鈥淭hey were both raised to understand that Montco is something special, and he鈥檚 there to do something to support it.鈥�

In the classroom, Baron combats complacency by understanding his work is never finished. He seeks to challenge students but also give as much of himself as he can to support them.

鈥淢y son and I both approach the first day the same,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e tell students we can鈥檛 be the best teacher for all of you. My personality won鈥檛 fit some of you. I鈥檝e had students sit side by side -- one person raves about me, another goes on RateMyProfessor.com and says I should be fired.鈥�

Baron never wants students to feel like they didn鈥檛 need to work hard to earn a high grade in his class.

鈥淭he thing I鈥檝e valued the most in teaching is I鈥檓 going to challenge you to bring out your best by me giving you my best,鈥� he said. 鈥淭eachers and students need to do their best for the betterment of everyone.鈥�

Outside the classroom, Baron continues to support students.

He is a co-advisor of the Psychology Club and , the Community College National Honor Society in Psychology, with Dr. David Kowalski, Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness & Strategic Innovation, and Michael Baron.

Alumni who participated in the Psychology Club and graduated from Montco鈥檚 Psychology Program are now doing great things 鈥� earning their bachelor鈥檚 degrees from some of the top 20 schools in the country, finishing their doctorates and presenting at national conferences, he said.

鈥淵ou would like to think you鈥檙e never done growing,鈥� said Baron, 鈥渂ut seeing students shine in this program has been wonderful.鈥�

When news reached him that he鈥檇 been selected as this year鈥檚 Lindback award recipient, Baron said was 鈥渉umbled鈥� and grateful. He thanked his colleagues for their support, many of whom had reached out to congratulate him. He also gave special mention to Dr. Oikelome, Dr. Aaron Shatzman, Dean of Social Sciences, Dr. Keima Sheriff, Assistant Dean of Student Programs, Dr. Kowalski and Michael Baron.

鈥淲e have some really good people at Montco,鈥� he said.

It appears Baron has no need to be concerned about his legacy at 海角社区. He鈥檚 already left a lasting one.