Faces of UNC Asheville

Evelyn Chiang

Assistant Professor, Psychology
Current research: Follow-up study exploring why parents underestimate their child’s weight status
Recognition: Nominated for Faculty Teaching Award two years in a row

“I wanted to find a school with a true focus on teaching. It came through in every interview I had — students are the priority here. And I’ve found that UNC Asheville attracts a different kind of student. They’re committed to learning for the sake of learning. I encourage all my students to be active participants in their education, and I’ve worked with a lot of them on research projects. Here undergrads can get involved in research as much as they want, from helping with data collection all the way to conceiving and running a research project. Not everyone’s career plan includes research, but the more aware they can be of what true research entails, the more educated consumers of research they can be.”

Her favorite thing about Asheville: Distinct seasons. It’s an ideal climate, perfect for outdoor activities, which her 10-year-old son loves.