Former adjunct joins SCC as full-time psychology instructor
Watching students make connections, ask new questions and discover their own interest in psychology is what drew Kate Geisinger to teaching. Now, as a full-time psychology instructor at Southeastern Community College, she hopes to help students develop a deeper understanding of human behavior while strengthening their critical thinking skills and curiosity about the world around them.
Geisinger joined SCC as a full-time instructor for the fall 2026 semester after teaching as an adjunct instructor during the previous semester. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Appalachian State University in 2018 and a Master of Science in neuroscience and behavior from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2025. While completing her graduate studies, she worked as a graduate research and teaching assistant at UNCW from 2023-25.
“I chose to work for SCC because of the positive experience I had with everyone every time I came to campus,” Geisinger said. “The students work hard and are very thoughtful, and the employees are very friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand. These things together made me want to join the Rams fam!”
At SCC, Geisinger teaches General Psychology and specialized psychology courses. She also teaches College and Career Promise (CCP) classes in Columbus County high schools, giving her the opportunity to work with students in both high school and college settings.
“No two days are alike for me at SCC,” Geisinger explained. “On any given day you can find me teaching in a classroom on campus or out teaching CCP classes for the high schools in Columbus County.”
Geisinger discovered her love for teaching while attending graduate school. She enjoyed helping students engage with course material, exploring new ideas and building connections between psychology and everyday life.
“I chose to become an instructor because I fell in love with teaching while in graduate school,” Geisinger said. “I genuinely enjoy the subject I teach and being able to explore those topics with students and watch them make connections, dig deeper into the content and find their own enjoyment in it is very rewarding for me.”
Her interest in psychology stemmed from a lifelong curiosity about human behavior. Growing up in a family of educators, she often found herself asking questions about why people think and act the way they do.
“My entire family are teachers and why people are the way they are has always been a question I’ve had throughout life,” Geisinger explained. “I got interested in psychology to answer that question and found many more questions along the way.”
Much of the enjoyment she finds in teaching comes from classroom discussions and hearing students share their perspectives on topics related to psychology and human behavior.
“I love being in the classroom and teaching,” Geisinger said. “The subject I teach is a lot of fun to explore with the students, and they have such great thoughts and ideas. As an instructor I hope students leave my class with a deeper understanding of the human experience, a better understanding of critical thinking and to foster a greater curiosity in life and learning.”
Originally from the Charlotte area, Geisinger enjoys hiking, reading and playing music in her spare time. Her partner, Daniel, teaches high school science in Sampson County. She also volunteers with the Whiteville High School Wolfpack Marching Band, helping students develop their music and marching skills.
As Geisinger begins her first semester as a full-time instructor, she brings a combination of teaching experience, academic training and enthusiasm for psychology to SCC’s classrooms. She looks forward to helping students better understand themselves and the world around them through the study of psychology.
