Susan Elizabeth Eichenberger received her Ph.D. in Sociology from The University of Florida with areas of specialization in race and ethnic relations, Latino Sociology, gender, and the sociology of religion. Her dissertation was an ethnographic exploration of the relative inclusion of Puerto Rican Catholics in a southeastern Catholic diocese. Currently, Dr. Eichenberger is the coordinator for the Women’s Studies program and teaches a variety of courses, including Principles of Sociology; Race, Class, Gender; Contemporary Topics in Sociology: Hip Hop in US Culture; and Research Methods. She enjoys working with various student organizations on campus such as the Gay Straight Alliance, and the Feminist Collective as well as collaborating with students on research such as an ongoing project of the oral histories of the Sisters of Charity. Other research projects include topics such as interracial dating, pedagogy, and race relations.

Education

• Ph.D., University of Florida, 2004
• M.A., University of Central Florida, 1995
• B.A., Rollins College, 1993

Publications

• “In Search of Meaning: The Differential Role of Religion for Middle-Aged and Older Persons Diagnosed with a Life-Threatening Illness.” Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging 20:4: 288-312.

Awards

• Training Fellowship at Princeton University through Program for the Analysis of Religion Among Latinos (PARAL), January 1999
• Training Fellowship, Orlando, Florida through Program for the Analysis of Religion Among Latinos (PARAL), June 1999
• Olga Scarpetta Graduate Student Paper Award, November 1999
• Conner Dissertation Award, April 2000
• Research Fellowship, National Survey of Latino/Latina Parishes and Congregations, Funding by Lily, Ford, and Annie E. Cassie Foundations

Organizations

• North Central Sociological Association
• Pennsylvania Sociology Society
• American Sociological Association

Presentations

• “Differences in Religious Affiliation of Catholic Women.” Presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Sociological Society, Raleigh: April 7-10, 1994 (with Dr. David A. Gay).
• “Religious Affiliation: Why Do Catholic Women Remain in the Church?” Presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Sociological Society, Atlanta: April 6-9, 1995 (with Dr. David A. Gay).
• “The Household Division of Labor Among Latinos.” Presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Sociological Society, New Orleans: April 3-6, 1997 (with Dr. Barbara A. Zsembik).
• “We are Called to Love One Another: An Exploration of Catholic Priests’ and Administrators’ Perceptions of Discrimination of Latinos.” Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Sociology of Religion, San Francisco: August 20-22, 1998.
• “In Search of Meaning: The Role of Religion for Cancer Patients.” Presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco: August 21-25, 1998 (with Dr. Monika Ardelt).
• “Exploring Puerto Rican Migration to a Central Florida Catholic Diocese.” Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Salt Lake City: November 12-15, 2002.
• “Where Two or More are Gathered: Exploring Ethnic Identity in a Multi-Ethnic Latino/a and Haitian Parish.” Presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Sociological Society, New Orleans: March 27-29, 2003.
• “The Single-parent Challenge in Academe.” Presented at the annual meeting of the North Central Sociological Association. Indianapolis: March 23-26, 2006.
• “Everyday Racism: Consequences of Interracial Dating On a Northeast College Campus.” Presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Montreal: August 11-14, 2006.
• “Witnessing” in the classroom: Handling issues of privilege and oppression with college aged students.” Presented at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Sociological Society, California, PA: October 26-27, 2007 (presented with Dr. Rebecca G. Harvey).
• “Teaching About Privilege and Oppression: Using Witnessing in College Classrooms.” Presented at the annual meeting of the North Central Sociological Association, Cincinnati, OH: March 27-31, 2008 (presented with Dr. Rebecca G. Harvey).