Catalyst for Growth: One of WSU’s Top Mentors Retires

Before Eric Amsel earned his master’s at Harvard, doctorate at Columbia and postdoc at Yale, and prior to becoming a beloved educator at institutions in Canada and New York, along with 28 years at Weber State, he struggled in school.

“My high school grades were pretty awful,” Amsel admitted. “My math and English were really poor. I just needed support. I needed direction, role models, mentoring.” Thankfully, he found support to make it to college and soon found an interest in psychology, along with a mentor to help him nurture that passion. “I really wanted to work with her because of the kind of work she did in the area of cognitive development,” said Amsel about his Harvard professor Deanna Kuhn.

Amsel and Kuhn created scholarly research that is still regularly cited. When she moved to Columbia, Amsel knew where to go for his doctorate. Much of Amsel’s own psychology research examines the growth of hypothetical thinking from imaginative play during early childhood to scientific reasoning among adolescents and adults.

Likewise, Amsel worked with hundreds of WSU students to complete research, practicums and directed readings, with many resulting in presentations at academic conferences or professional publications.

Much of Amsel’s own psychology research examines the growth of hypothetical thinking from imaginative play during early childhood to scientific reasoning among adolescents and adults.

“A lot of the really important research that I have done has been with students,” he said. “They’ve worked on interviewing kids in pretend play, studying scientific reasoning of adolescents and mathematical reasoning of Weber State students.”

He was also there for students, like him, who struggled in class.

When he became associate provost in 2016, he realized many students struggling with developmental math also struggled with developmental English. In 2018, he received a $2.2 million grant to help launch Wildcat Scholars, where students build relationships with advisors, faculty, and each other while completing corequisite English and math courses. The program allows students who enter the university below college-level placement to finish their composition and math requirements in one year.

Connor Dela-Cruz AA ’19 visited Weber State after completing his religious mission to find out how to get an education. Struggling to find his place, he soon discovered Wildcat Scholars. When he met Amsel, he instantly found a connection.

“I spent a large portion of my life believing that education wasn’t in the cards for me,” Dela-Cruz said. “I have severe ADHD, and I grew up struggling in the classroom setting. When he shared how he overcame his challenges to go to school, that helped me to realize that I can do the same with my challenges.”

Amsel served as vice provost for undergraduate studies, academic support and institutional effectiveness during the final years of his WSU career. Prior to that, he chaired the psychology department and served as a leader in the Faculty Senate.

He received many honors during his tenure, including being named Utah’s Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, WSU Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor, WSU Hinckley Award recipient and WSU Alumni Association H. Aldous Dixon Award recipient. He was also recognized for his work on the WSU Holocaust Commemoration Committee.

“Part of what attracted me to Weber State is the impact I could have,” Amsel said. “What I’m taking away now in retirement is this deep satisfaction that I’ve done innovative work that has been impactful.”

Nearly three decades of inspiring students

“Thanks to him, I found a career that not only aligns with my professional goals but also allows me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my students and clients.” — Daniel Hatch BA ’02

“Eric provided the guidance to help me find direction, support to help me succeed, helped me believe that I could accomplish goals, and encouraged me to push myself to achieve. He changed my life.” — Shane Bench BS ’08

“I was among the numerous students who have been lucky enough to work directly with Eric on research over the years. Of all of the professors with whom I have worked, he has had the greatest impact on my career and in my journey to becoming a two-time Fulbright scholar and business professor.” — Craig Crossley BS ’00

“I want to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering support of students like myself who come from backgrounds that may have discouraged us from pursuing higher education. Your belief in our potential, exemplified by your work with Wildcat Scholars, has had a profound impact on countless lives.” — Monse Gutierrez BA ’24, BS ’24 to Amsel upon his retirement

“Eric gave me thoughtful feedback and support not only as an undergraduate, but as a graduate student as well. He encouraged me to follow what I was passionate about for my dissertation. I’m glad that I followed his advice to write about what I actually care about, even if it meant a somewhat longer dissertation process.” — Lauren Rankin BS ’08

Were you one of Amsel's students?

Share how he impacted your life by emailing magazine@weber.edu.