Tara L'Heureux, Ph.D.
Psychology Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Education
Ph.D., University of Connecticut
About Tara
The pronunciation of her name often presents problems for people. "L'Heureux" is pronounced "LerRoo" and the pronunciation of "Tara" is up to you. At UCONN she was fortunate to have Dr. Janet Barnes-Farrell as her advisor and mentor. Together they studied a number of variables (e.g. attributions, sex typed jobs and tasks) to explain sex differences in the level and accuracy of performance evaluation ratings. Her dissertation examined how 360 degree performance feedback of sales managers was affected by how often raters observed performance, their degree of familiarity with the managers' jobs, and the consistency of the managers' performance.
Prior to joining the university, she was employed by LIMRA International (Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association, International) where she worked with many talented I/O psychologists on job analysis, selection test development, and performance appraisal systems. LIMRA offered her many unique and challenging opportunities to perform I/O research in applied settings. She frequently tells her students that job analysis and selection testing are exciting areas of applied practice and research, certainly more than reading the literature would imply!
She wears many hats at the University of New Haven. The role that provides her with the greatest satisfaction is teaching the graduate students about the field. Her teaching style is based on her belief in career-oriented instruction that encompasses both professional and personal development. In 1992, she received a wonderful gift from her students and peers when she was the recipient of the University's award for Distinguished Teaching.
She confesses to being a "networking maniac". Her affiliation with local human resource networking groups allows her to satisfy this obsession. She enjoys developing relationships with I/O and HR practitioners to better understand their current and emerging issues, and acquire quality internships and jobs for her students. She is the former president and ten year board member of the Human Resource Association of Greater New Haven (HRAGNH). The HRAGNH is a chapter affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and sponsors the University of New Haven student SHRM chapter. She is also a member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, the Academy of Management, and the Society for Human Resource Management. She has served on many APA and SIOP committees that address education and career issues for those with Master's degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
She consults with local organizations from time to time on performance management and coaching counseling projects. Her research interests include performance management, worker well-being, and training competencies for Master’s level I/O psychologists. To relax, she reads as many novels as possible, listens to classical and alternative music, and lives for UCONN men's and women's basketball. Her home is in Hamden, Connecticut with her husband Mark, and two little sons, Lee and Will.