Rivera, Susan

Dr. Susan Rivera started her tenure as dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences on August 1, 2022. As dean, Rivera promotes a culture of impactful research and scholarship, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships, and advocates persuasively for BSOS’s programs both within and beyond the campus community. Rivera works with faculty, staff and students to articulate a vision for the contributions BSOS will make to the fulfillment of the university’s mission and strategic plan.

Dean Rivera joined Maryland from the University of California, Davis, where she served as chair and professor in the Department of Psychology. As chair, she maintained a focus on building and sustaining an inclusive and supportive departmental climate and successfully both retained and hired new faculty under a framework of inclusive excellence. Under her leadership, the department’s U.S. News and World Report rankings rose from No. 26 to No. 12 overall, and to No. 6 among public institutions.

Dean Rivera holds a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.A. in psychology from Indiana University. Her research investigates the interplay between genes, brain function and structure, and environment across the lifespan (from infancy to old age) using brain imaging (EEG/ERP and functional and structural MRI) and infrared eye tracking techniques. Her research questions span multiple populations including neurotypical development, autism, and the fragile X spectrum of involvement.