From Curiosity to Classroom

At an early age, Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences Rebekah Wanic, PhD, discovered she was fascinated by what made people tick. That curiosity about how people think — and why they feel and act the way they do — led to a career in psychology. Today, combining a passion for storytelling and teaching, Wanic has found a home in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of San Diego’s College of Arts and Sciences. 

While pursuing a PhD at the University of California, San Diego, Wanic developed a love for teaching. “I started teaching in graduate school and found it very rewarding,” Wanic says. “It was my opportunity to share what I know and see as valuable with others.” 

Wanic joined the University of San Diego (USD) in 2012 as a lecturer and quickly found a strong sense of belonging within both the Department of Psychological Sciences and the broader Torero campus community. This past year, she transitioned into a tenure-track position and was promoted to assistant professor, marking a significant milestone at USD.

Wanic teaches a wide range of courses at USD, from Evolutionary Psychology to Social Psychology and Wellness. She values the psychological sciences department’s broad curriculum, which allows students to explore psychology through multiple lenses and pursue their interests. 

Drawing on her experience as a mindset coach, she also incorporates practical tools into her teaching. “As a mindset coach who is interested in resilience and motivation, I bring these ideas into the classroom to help students use what they learn to help themselves grow and develop in their academic and personal lives.”

Her interest in resilience and motivation has also influenced Wanic’s current research projects, which examine how therapeutic education undermines resilience. “By focusing heavily on identifying ‘trauma’ and ‘triggers,’ it teaches young people to interpret normal developmental challenges, such as a difficult exam or a social disagreement, as potential threats to their mental health rather than normal aspects of human experience that they can learn to navigate,” Wanic says. “I am writing a book designed to help students reorient when they enter college to really thrive,” Wanic shares. 

Wanic’s lifelong interest in storytelling and psychology extends beyond the classroom. One of her passions is writing fiction novels and novellas. In fact, she published a novella titled Nobility in 2024. With an extensive background in psychology, Wanic believes it is crucial to create well-developed, multidimensional characters. “As a psychologist, I am very interested in the backstory of individuals and how this influences their interpretations and actions,” she says. “I believe that this helps you to gain insight into the similarities and differences between people while providing a perspective that can help you increase empathy.” She recently worked on a murder mystery co-written with her twin sister titled Under Cover of Chaos. 

Looking ahead, Wanic is eager to deepen collaborations across campus. “I am participating in the faculty seminar exploring the Catholic Intellectual Tradition,” she says. “I look forward to joining and leading more collaborative learning experiences that push me to grow in my career and as an individual.”