KENNESAW, Ga. | May 27, 2025

Dean Catherine (Katie) Kaukinen has announced Bernadette Davantes Heckman, Ph.D. as the new Associate Dean for Research in the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences as of August 1, 2025. In her new role, Dr. Heckman will advance the goals of Radow College by serving as a liaison to the Office of Research and managing interdepartmental research groups and interests. She will also build bridges between external entities and Radow College researchers for partnership development, while advancing college research initiatives and mentoring in the areas of scholarship, engagement and sponsored research.

“Dr. Heckman has a proven track record of building partnerships and inviting collaboration in both university and community environments,” Kaukinen said. “We look forward to seeing her share her experience and knowledge as she works to further develop Radow’s existing research infrastructure.”

Dr. Heckman comes from the University of Georgia, where she has served on the faculty in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services in the MFE College of Education since 2012. Her areas of research include health psychology and developing interventions for persons living with chronic pain, growing the number of behavioral health professionals for eventual careers in rural and underserved areas, and working with older adults experiencing neurocognitive compromise. Dr. Heckman said she is pleased to be part of the rapid growth that the college is experiencing and hopes to be a catalyst and a champion for research in her new role.

“I’m excited about being part of that mission, to grow, to enhance faculty engagement, and to work closely with early career researchers within the college,” Dr. Heckman said. “I think the college itself has strong potential within the different units to strengthen and promote their interdisciplinary work and collaborations. Not only within the college, but across the college and in the community.”

Dr. Heckman explained that building partnerships outside of a university setting allows students to be challenged in a different way than in a controlled academic environment. She said that research can be very impactful when researchers' work involves community participants and organizations.

Dean Kaukinen said that Dr. Heckman’s work will support the university’s goal of achieving national prominence while highlighting the exceptional work being done in Radow College. “We believe that Dr. Heckman’s leadership in the area of research will enrich the educational experiences of Radow College students, the work of our faculty, and the strength of our external partnerships,” Kaukinen said. “She has expressed great interest in providing mentoring and support both inside and outside of the college, and we look forward to seeing her contributions.”

Prior to her time at UGA, Dr. Heckman was an assistant professor of psychology at Ohio University. She received her BA in Psychology from Marquette University, her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed her clinical psychology internship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Georgia.

In the past 10 years, Dr. Heckman has obtained more than $10 million in federal funding to support her research. She also has more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, many of which have appeared in prominent journals, such as Health Psychology, Pain, Cephalalgia, and American Journal of Public Health. She is the recipient of the 2025 Berman-Gard Excellence in Service Award, presented by the Georgia Psychological Foundation. This award recognizes a Georgia psychologist who has distinguished themselves through exceptional service, particularly by lending their service to nonprofit organizations. Dr. Heckman was honored for her outstanding contributions and commitment to serving the community through her professional work.