Professor Provides Hands-On Research Opportunities for Students

As a former graduate student in developmental psychology, Professor Chao Liu knew firsthand the challenges and opportunities that came with pursuing a research-intensive degree. Now, as a professor of psychology at Cedarville University, Liu is using his experience to equip and inspire the next generation of researchers, providing students with real-world research opportunities that have opened doors to competitive graduate programs and life-changing careers.

Key Takeaways:

• Liu, a professor of psychology at Cedarville University, provides students with hands-on research opportunities, helping them build their resumes for graduate school.
• Liu's own experiences as a graduate student in developmental psychology informed his approach to mentoring students, which focuses on building their skills and resumes for competitive graduate programs.
• Liu has worked with numerous students on research projects, including 15 students in the past and currently working with 8 students on a research project.
• Students who have worked with Liu, such as Kira Waltz and Charis Chen, have gone on to prestigious graduate programs, including the University of Cincinnati and Northern Illinois University.
• Liu is a published author, with articles appearing in Wiley Online Library and Sage Journals, where his students have contributed abstracts.
• Liu values the growth and learning of his students, noting how they "put a great effort into doing their part and developing their skills."
• Cedarville University offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields, with 6,384 students and recognition from the Wall Street Journal as one of the nation's top three evangelical universities.

Statistics:

• Liu has worked with 23 students on research projects (15 in the past and 8 currently).
• Liu's students have been accepted into prestigious graduate programs, including the University of Cincinnati and Northern Illinois University.
• Liu has published articles in Wiley Online Library and Sage Journals, where his students have contributed abstracts.

Sources:

• Stafford, Rachel. "Life-Changing Research Opportunities Transform Students at Cedarville University." Cedarville University News, 2025.
• Cedarville University. "About Cedarville." Cedarville University, 2022.