Alexandra Rush
Assistant Professor
Alexandra Rush, Ph D , is a developmental scientist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Empire State University. She explores how individuals and families create meaningful lives after experiencing the traumatic effects of war, with a particular focus on intergenerational transmission of trauma, resilience, and features of posttraumatic growth
Her research interests also include youth purpose and identity development, and she brings expertise in qualitative, mixed methods, and phenomenological approaches She has been recognized for her work on intergenerational trauma and posttraumatic growth in the context of Polish historical trauma.
Academic Background
Alexandra Rush is a developmental scientist with a doctorate in Family Science and Human Development from Montclair State University in New Jersey. She began her academic path at Douglass College of Rutgers University, where she majored in psychology and developed an early interest in human behavior and resilience
She deepened this work during graduate training at Long Island University and later pursued her doctoral studies at Montclair State University to focus on intergenerational trauma in the context of war, examining how traumatic effects and resilience are transmitted across generations Her work also sheds light on pathways that contribute to posttraumatic growth and the development of purpose.
Early Research and Focus
Throughout her education and professional training, Alexandra Rush pursued research that connects theory with lived experience. Her work has centered on the study of intergenerational trauma in the context of war, and resilience and positive growth following trauma. While pursuing her doctorate, she worked at the Institute for Research on Youth Thriving and Evaluation (RYTE) at Montclair State University, NJ. At RYTE, Alexandra took part in the Building Evidence in Scouting Together (BEST) study, which focused on how adult experiences and training impact youth character outcomes
Alexandra also served as a content expert on youth purpose and examined programmatic features and relationships within the scouting context that fostered youth purpose development She also contributed to research evaluating the effectiveness of online training for non-formal educators in the Boy Scouts of America
Faculty Role and Research Leadership
As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Empire State University, Alexandra Rush continues to pursue work that bridges research and application She is interested in helping students approach their studies with a sense of purpose and teaches courses in human ecological systems, child development, development of spirituality and wisdom, and abnormal psychology
In her previous role as Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Dickinson College, she led a research study focused on the experiences of some of the first girls to participate in Scouts BSA, formerly Boy Scouts of America This study explored how navigating a traditionally all-boys space influenced girls' sense of self and purpose.
Publications and Academic Writing
Alexandra’s research has appeared in multiple academic journals Her articles center on youth purpose development, intergenerational trauma in the context of war, and how people create meaning after extreme adversity and traumatic losses.
Her article in The Polish Review focused on the lingering effects of World War II on Polish survivors and their descendants, documenting how trauma shaped family narratives and personal meaning
In an article published in the Journal of Youth Development, she analyzed how participation in Scouts BSA influenced adolescent girls' identity development, sense of purpose, and feelings of competence and confidence, particularly in leadership roles.
Conference Work and Public Engagement
Alexandra Rush presents her work across academic conferences and public forums She has been an invited speaker at the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences and Columbia University, where she shared insights on intergenerational trauma and family resilience.
She has also served as a moderator and panelist at events focused on historical trauma, loss, and resilience Her presence at the Reason & Respect Series at SUNY Empire emphasized the importance of cultural heritage and how acknowledging the effects of historical trauma contributes to healing.
Academic Service and Professional Memberships
Alexandra is a member of the Society for the Study of Human Development and the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America. She serves as a peer reviewer with expertise in youth purpose for academic journals, such as the Journal of Adolescent Research and Children and Society
Her professional affiliations provide her with access to current research, foster collaboration with other scholars, and keep her engaged in ongoing academic dialogue
Recognition and Institution Engagement
In 2024, Alexandra was recognized by Empire State University through its “Scholars Across the University” program, honoring faculty who make interdisciplinary contributions to research and teaching Her work has helped inform program development and faculty collaboration across disciplines.
She is currently working on a manuscript that examines how survivors rebuild purposeful lives after the trauma of war, as well as processes that contribute to family resilience and posttraumatic growth
This project draws on years of research and highlights an area that remains in need of both scholarly and public engagement
Life Outside of Academia
Alexandra has a background in dance and theatre, and she brings this creative sensitivity into her academic life, including her teaching, research, and communication She practices yoga and enjoys hiking, swimming, dancing, and spending time outdoors She finds grounding in nature, spirituality, and close ties with family and friends, which inspire her intellectual and creative endeavors