Parminder Parmar, associate professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Worthington Scranton, was recently recognized for her professional achievements and contributions in the field of Home Science at the First Alumni Meet of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), in Ludhiana.
She was recognized during a special event at the First Alumni Meet, which coincided with the Golden Jublee celebration of the PAU, which was attended by many distinguished PAU alumni, including PAU’s Board of Management, deans and directors from international universities and state and national institutes, and other prestigious alumni.
Parmar received her master’s degree in child development from Punjab Agricultural University (India) and her doctorate in human development from the University of Connecticut. She has taught human development at three different universities for last 33 years, including at Penn State Worthington Scranton, where she was recently recognized for 10 years of service.
Her interests are in studying early childhood development, child rearing practices, and parenting across cultures, with her research focusing on the importance of play and learning in early childhood, and parents’ cultural beliefs about what is most important for the development of young children. She is especially interested in the role of parenting in the development across lifespan and across cultures.
She is presently coordinating the international “Teachers’ Acceptance Rejection Project” (TARP) in more than a dozen countries and has presented her research at many national and international academic and research organizations.
Parmar regularly contributes books and research papers to various universities in India and has received several awards at Penn State Worthington Scranton, including the 2003 David and Joyce Mack Tressler Award for Professional Development; the 2005 PSWS Advisory Board Award for Teaching; the 2007 Dr. Richard J and Sally Matthews Award for Scholarly Activity; and the 2012 K. Bruce Sherbine Penn State Proud Award.