Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi is a Deaf American psychologist, researcher, and academic administrator at Gallaudet University. Her work has focused on the intersections of media, gender, and intimate partner violence, particularly within Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing (DDBDDHH) communities.
Early Life and Education
Kobek Pezzarossi decided at an early age—around twelve years old—that she wished to pursue psychology as a career[1]. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Lenoir-Rhyne University before continuing her graduate education at the University of Arkansas, where she completed a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing[1]. After gaining professional experience in counseling and vocational rehabilitation, she returned to higher education to deepen her expertise in psychology. At Gallaudet University, she obtained both a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, where she focused her doctoral research on issues of communication and identity in Deaf communities[1].
Career
Following her undergraduate studies, Kobek Pezzarossi worked as an employment consultant for individuals with developmental disabilities. After completing her master’s degree, she became a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Indianapolis, Indiana, specializing in services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients[1]. These early professional roles shaped her interest in how social structures and communication barriers affect mental health outcomes among Deaf populations.
Upon completion of her doctorate, she joined the Department of Psychology at Gallaudet University. As a faculty member, she has taught courses including Human Sexuality, Psychology of Gender, Social Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology, combining clinical perspectives with Deaf-centered approaches to psychological research and practice[1].
Administrative and Leadership Roles
Beyond teaching, Kobek Pezzarossi has taken on significant leadership roles in higher education administration. At Gallaudet, she serves as Interim Dean for Curriculum, Outreach, Resources, and Effectiveness, as well as Special Assistant to the Provost for Curriculum, Outreach, and Resources [1]. In these capacities, she has been responsible for strategic planning, policy development, and ensuring institutional alignment with accreditation, licensure, and assessment standards. She also acts as liaison to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), guiding the university’s accreditation processes[1].
Her leadership extends beyond Gallaudet. In 2021–2022, she was selected as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow, hosted by Widener University, where she worked under the mentorship of President Julie E. Wollman and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff Kathryn J. Herschede[1]. This fellowship placed her within national conversations on higher education leadership and policy.
Contributions
Kobek Pezzarossi’s research has explored how social and cultural contexts, including media and gender, shape mental health in Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities[2]. Through her combined roles as educator, administrator, and researcher, Kobek Pezzarossi has contributed to improving both the academic and institutional environments for Deaf learners. Her research has shed light on how violence, gender dynamics, and mass communication influence psychological health in Deaf communities, while her administrative work has strengthened the infrastructure of Gallaudet University to meet evolving standards of accreditation and strategic development. By bridging scholarship and institutional leadership, she continues to shape the landscape of Deaf higher education and psychology in the United States[1].
- Gallaudet University. (n.d.). Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi.
- Google Scholar. (n.d.). Caroline Kobek Pezzarossi – Citations.
