Michelle (Mickey) Stevenson began as Research Specialist in the Office of Research and Technology Transfer with the University of Texas System in March 2006.
Before coming to UT System, Stevenson was Assistant Professor of Adult Development and Aging in the Department of Human Development at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). While at Virginia Tech, she co-authored several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, gave numerous professional research presentations at the state, regional, and national levels, held reviewer responsibilities for books and journals, and was active in several regional and national gerontological organizations. Stevenson's research explored the effect of cultural and more general personal beliefs on older adult's use of both formal and informal support. Her most recent funded research study investigated the relationship between culturally-influenced beliefs about health and health disparities among older adults in an economically-disadvantaged area.
Stevenson earned her PhD from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) in Human Development and Family Studies, with a specialization in Family Gerontology and interest in advanced statistical modeling. She graduated with honors from North Carolina State University with a BA in Psychology. Her research experience started as an undergraduate, ending with rich experiences in grant administration, data management and analysis, interview and focus group administration, and overall project administration and information dissemination. She has worked as an editorial assistant, and later a member of the Editorial Board, for Family Relations, the interdisciplinary journal of the National Council for Family Relations. She has also served on the Board or committees of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, the Gerontological Society of America, the Southern Gerontological Society, and the Virginia Association on Aging. In addition, Stevenson has taught courses in research methodology, statistical analyses, adult development and aging, aging policy, family relationships, and diversity in aging.
Stevenson and her husband, Eddie, are both originally from North Carolina. During her time away from work, you may find Stevenson exploring a nearby hiking trail, enjoying a boat ride at a nearby lake, or engaging in a fast-paced game of fetch with her dogs.
