Name: Dr. Cheryl Fortner
Title: Professor of Psychology
Education: Ph.D., Child Development and Family Studies, Purdue University
M.A., General Psychology, Western Carolina University
B.A., Psychology, College of Charleston
Office: 134 Kinard Hall
Phone: 803/323-2641
E-mail: fortnerc@winthrop.edu
Web: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/fortnerc
Area(s): Attachment, Adoption, Evaluation, Post-Baccalaureate Achievement
Dr. Fortner joined Winthrop's Department of Psychology in 1998. Her scholarship focuses primarily on early development and relationships. Her expertise regarding attachment and adoption has been sought in family court cases and her testimony has been cited by the S.C. Supreme Court. She is Co-Chair of the National Council on Family Relations Adoption and Foster Care Focus Group. Locally, she served nine-years on the Children's Attention Home Board of Directors (BOD) and as Chair of the BOD three times.
Dr. Fortner received Winthrop's Kinard Award for Excellence in Teaching (2017), College of Arts and Sciences' Outstanding Advising Award (2005), and multiple recognitions for service. Her campus service includes Chair of Faculty Conference (2007-09), Chair of the College Faculty Assembly (2003-04), and Chair of the Psychology Department's Curriculum and Assessment Committee (2008-2020).
In addition to her role in Psychology, Dr. Fortner is the Director and P.I. of the Winthrop McNair Scholars Program which is housed in University College. Dr. Fortner is most proud of her involvement in bringing two U.S. Department of Education TRiO programs to serve Winthrop’s students, Student Support Services and the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program. Fortner has authored or co-authored 12 successful federal grants (U.S. Dept. of Ed., SAMHSA, and NSF) totaling over $10 million dollars.