I have been able to fulfill many roles over the years, including teaching young children,” said Dr. Browder, who wanted to have a positive influence on child development worldwide.

She realized what she hoped to accomplish was a bit unrealistic, which influenced her decision that higher education is where she could have the greatest impact on the lives of young children.

Dr. Browder joined the Greyhound family because the mission statements of ENMU and the Department of Family Consumer Sciences and Agriculture matched with her ideal view of teaching and learning environment.

She was excited about the opportunity to provide an interdisciplinary approach that included values of diversity when studying and working with individuals and families.

“I believe that as both learners and teachers collaborate in the learning process. They are able to exceed their natural limits in understanding and applying the concepts of each particular course.

“This is especially important in the field of early childhood education and family consumer sciences,” said Dr. Browder, whose goal is to help future teachers, parents and others learn skills that enable them to have a positive impact on children.

Before ENMU she was a lecturer at Iowa State University and Des Moines Area Community College on the Des Moines and Ankeny, Iowa, campuses. She also worked as a parenting specialist for mothers in recovery at a residential treatment center for alcohol and other drug addictions in Des Moines.

“I believe that children need strong advocates so that their well-being is seen as a priority. As a specialist in early childhood development, I have been educated to be mindful of the ‘big picture.’ I consider not only the immediate environment in which children live, but also the broader socioeconomic and cultural influences that shape their lives,” explained Dr. Browder.

Her commitment to understanding this “bigger picture” is reflected in her philosophy of child development through a variety of ways. She believes that one's culture and family provide the foundation upon which one develops.

She believes all areas of human development--physical, social, emotional and cognitive-- are interconnected, each individual learns at his or her own pace, and has individual strengths, interests, needs and learning styles.

Lastly, she believes when working with children and families, these relationships must be built on trust, respect and professional competence to more effectively contribute to the development of confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills that enable children and their families to deal effectively with challenges to development, health and well-being.

The relationships she builds with her students are the most meaningful reward of her career.

“I am always happy when they tell me how they’ve used the skills that they learned in class and these techniques really worked with the child,” said Dr. Browder.

She loves helping students extend their learning experiences by creating personal connection with the material, and has found she truly loves teaching.

Dr. Browder is interested in Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACEs) by Robert F. Anda and Vincent J. Felitti. This study linked childhood trauma to long-term health and social consequences.

“Currently, two colleagues and I are working on an extension of this study by questioning younger participants about their early childhood experiences as well as any health or social consequences they may have already experienced as a young adult,” explained Dr. Browder.

She hopes they will be able to devise effective strategies to support resiliency in children and adolescents.

Her mentor is Sedahila Crase, her major professor from Iowa State University, for her master’s and doctorate degree.

“She is an amazing woman who leads by example and always sees her students as people first. She was willing to help each of her students pursue and attain their individual dreams,” said Dr. Browder.

Her greatest accomplishment has been obtaining her doctorate.

“While completing my graduate schooling, I worked at least 30 hours a week as well as actively parented my four children,” said Dr. Browder.

Currently, three of her children are in college and the youngest is in high school. She has one son and three daughters.

“My son is married with one child in Ohio. My oldest and youngest daughter live in the area, while my middle daughter lives in Iowa. The majority of my extended family lives in Missouri with some living in Florida,” said Dr. Browder.

She grew up in a rural community in northeastern Missouri named Kirksville. It has a population of approximately 18,000 and is the home of Truman State University where she went for her undergraduate schooling.

Dr. Browder loves exploring new places and will try anything at least one time. She even got her motorcycle license last summer.

“During breaks, if I’m not traveling, you’ll most likely find me with friends and family, or reading,” said Dr. Browder.