Dear Friends, 

Developmental psychologists use the term “transitional object” to refer to toys, teddy bears, or even imaginary companions to which young children often form intense attachments. As they transition from an early stage of dependence within the family to greater autonomy in a broader world, children establish short-term relationships with these objects.

Through the process, they practice interpersonal relationship skills that may serve them well in years to come. What transitional objects really do, however, is help successfully move people from point A to point B on life’s journey I guess I am a transitional object at SESP!

As we welcome incoming dean Bryan Brayboy to the school, my short but rewarding experience leading SESP as interim dean is akin to that of a transitional object. Over the past year, I helped move us from one era to the next.

But in my case, the emotional dynamics of transitional objects are mainly reversed. The direction of the intense positive attachment I feel goes mainly from me toward SESP, as if the stuffed animal were the one with strong feelings toward the child. During my short time as dean, I established new and deeper relationships with SESP students (through events like Dine with the Dean), advisory board members, alumni, and especially the SESP staff.

I also continued to enjoy what I believe to be very positive interactions with my newly deferential faculty colleagues who suddenly wanted to meet for coffee or dinner—we’ll see if this continues once Dean Brayboy officially takes over!

In a broader sense, the idea of transition is central to our SESP mission. In focusing on human learning and development in context, we are all about understanding and promoting positive transitions in people’s lives and in the lives of communities, neighborhoods, and schools.

Mesmin Destin’s work, for example, looks at how hearing certain messages at critical moments in life can offer hope and keep people inspired to work toward their goals. Marcelo Worsley uses a unique approach to narrow the diversity gap in computer science by teaching children how to transfer one skill set to another.

Both professors are highlighted in this issue, along with Matt Easterday’s powerful research on civic engagement and stories of alumni like Emily Hittner and Joe Kennedy who are passionate about their work.

Change brings both risk and opportunity. What unifies our work is investigating how people cope and learn to thrive with this uncertainty. My own transition will bring me back to projects that I’m excited to dive into and has left me with a renewed sense of purpose and hope.

Wishing you all happy transitions!

With SESP Love,

Dan P. McAdams

Interim Dean