The Department of Family Sciences is excited to welcome Assistant Professor Dr. Bruce Ross to the faculty. Originally from Northern Kentucky, Dr. Ross focuses his efforts on researching and teaching about personal and family financial well-being. He also has interest in family process outcomes as they relate to economic recession cycles and patterns of financial socialization between generations. In addition to this, Dr. Ross reviews manuscripts for the Journal of Financial Therapy and serves on the conference board of the Financial Therapy Association as a Conference Review Chair. Dr. Ross currently teaches FAM 652: Readings in Family Theory and Research. Dr. Ron Werner- Wilson, Chair, Department of Family Sciences, shard, “We’re very excited that Dr. Ross has joined our department. He will be a core contributor to our new Consumer Economics and Personal Finance (CEPF) major that we are developing. He will be teaching many of the courses in the new major. He will, in fact, be offering a new course from this curriculum as an experimental course during the upcoming spring semester.”
Education
- Vanderbilt University- B.A. in Psychology with Research with a Cognitive Development Concentration, and Philosophy
- University of Maryland- M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
- University of Georgia- Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
Three Questions with Dr. Ross
- Why did you want to come to the University of Kentucky?
I grew up a UK fan in Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area. So, when a position in the Family Science Department at UK opened up looking for someone specifically with my specialized skillsets in the family sciences, marriage and family therapy, and financial counseling- it seemed like fate. I am thrilled to be part of the Big Blue Nation where I can pursue my interests in financial therapy practices and family financial well-being, while building a program in financial counseling.
- What is one thing you look forward to in your new position?
I am very excited about developing the new Consumer Economics and Personal Finance (CEF) major for undergraduates who are interested in becoming accredited financial counselors. Development of strong financial counseling practitioners and researchers will help individuals, couples, and families in the state of Kentucky achieve greater financial well-being and have better family outcomes now and in the future. Financial counseling is after all, a helping profession, and with the integration and application of financial therapy, as well as marriage and family therapy practices, it can address a range of diverse populations and contextual issues.
- How do you like to spend time away from work?
Outside of work, I enjoy finding adventure in the outdoors. I love hiking, camping, sailing, scuba-diving, and skiing. As a stress-relief, my go-to is always cooking and playing with my dog, Lulu.