1.Tell us about your organization and your role there.

I started by academic career after working as a school psychologist on Long Island and the Bureau of Child Guidance at the New York City Board of Education.

Over my many decades at NYU I advanced from the rank of Instructor to Full Professor at the School Psychology Doctoral Program, at various times serving as its Program Director. I taught an array of graduate level psychology courses, supervised doctoral dissertations, and had the pleasure of creating a Study Abroad course in child psychology at first in Geneva Switzerland at the Piaget Archives at the University of Geneva, then at the NYU Center in Prague, Czech Republic.

Currently, I hold the rank of Professor Emeritus.

2. What made you interested in education and what drives you in your current profession?

While an undergraduate at Baruch my intention was to major in advertising or marketing.  However, I found my inspiration in the psychology courses.  This was largely due to my wonderful professors.  Also, being a young adult, I was searching to understand myself better.  To this day, I’m still fascinated by people’s actions and motivations.  I always had a strong interest in the welfare of children.  It was and is my belief that they are too often misunderstood and that leads to deleterious outcomes.  

3. What were some unique challenges you faced throughout your professional career and how did you overcome them?

My career has had several trajectories. In addition to academia, I also maintained a clinical practice in Manhattan where I treated children, adolescents and adults. I hold a Certificate in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis from NYU’s Postdoctoral Program.

Another thread in my professional career comprised media. I worked as an on-air psychologist and feature reporter at all the major television networks, as well as the local stations Channel 7 Eyewitness News (WABC TV) , Channel 2 (WCBS TV) and PIX 11 (Channel 11) in New York. For many years, I conducted an eponymous radio call-in program on parenting at ABC Talkradio and WABC Talkradio in New York.

In the area of print, I was a columnist and Contributing Editor for leading magazines such as Ladies’ Home Journal, Family Circle and Sesame Street Parents, among others. I also serve as Consulting Editor for professional journals.

I have published scholarly tomes for professionals as well as books for the general public on parenting and child development.

4. How was your experience at Baruch? How did Baruch impact your life and career?

Baruch had a profound influence on my personal as well as professional life. Several professors in the Psychology Department were especially inspiring.

It is one of the reasons I established the Dr. Lawrence Balter Excellence in Psychology Scholarship. I could not have built my career without Baruch College. I want other first-generation students to have the opportunity to pursue successful professional careers.

5. What is one of your favorite memories you have from your time at Baruch? 

There are too many to list. For one, I made friends with people with whom I still have relationships. For another, I recall the intellectually stimulating and competitive spirit of so many first-time college students. We were a close-knit group and were hungry for knowledge and highly motivated.

If it were not for Baruch, I could not have attended college. I could not afford a private university. At that time, tuition was free, and we had to pay only a registration fee and buy books. I was a full-time student but was able to hold a part time job. I grew up in Brooklyn and joked that I attended an out-of-town school.

Later, I attended The City College of New York for a master’s degree. My PhD is from New York University.

6. What advice would you give to current Baruch students and alumni about working in the field of your profession?  

There are many applications of psychology these days.  Specialties have proliferated over the decades. With AI and social media so much in the forefront of our minds, I suggest being open to opportunities and not to specialize too soon.

7. How can people contact you?