Meet
Dr. Jennifer Lawer Friedberg

EDUCATION

Jennifer completed her PhD in Conflict Resolution Studies from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. Her dissertation “Sibling Conflict and Caregiving for Aging Parents” was published in 2021. For her research she listened to over 30 different people share their experience of managing family conflict.

Jenn also has a Master’s degree in Social & Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a major in International Business and Certificate in Italian Literature & Languages.

WHY JENN IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS WORK

Jennifer grew up in Indiana, Pennsylvania. She thanks her parents, siblings and close family for their love and support. Jenn notes that growing up in a big family gave her experience and insight in conflict resolution, communication and managing relationships.

She lives in State College, Pennsylvania with her husband Josh where the teach together in the Department of Communications at Penn State. She is thrilled to be teaching classes that are devoted to helping students uncover their talents and gifts.

Jenn has 10 years of teaching experience as a professor. She loves helping students improve their communication skills and use what they learn to enrich their personal and professional relationships. She is confident in her student’s ability to use conflict resolution skill sets to navigate even the most challenging of difficult relationships.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Jennifer is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at The Pennsylvania State University in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, where is an instructor of Conflict Resolution and Communication classes. In addition to courses on Negotiation and Mediation, she also teaching Communication & Aging. Current research projects include study abroad and experiential education opportunities.

She is interested in exploring aging and wellness from a cross cultural perspective. She is working on sharing findings from research visits to Ecuador from her visits to Vilcabamba a small town in the Andes mountains famous for longevity among inhabitants. Other international experience includes her work for Duquesne University’s Study Abroad program in Rome, Italy.

She has also taught for Duquesne, Robert Morris University and Nova Southeastern University.

Jenn teaching a small group session.