By Faren Visintin
Staff Writer
Those who have not taken a psychology class with Dr. Christy Scott may have heard about her as the professor who was bold enough to teach the Psychology of Sexual Behavior last semester.
However, she wasn’t always that bold; in fact, through a chance incident in graduate school, Scott found herself no longer the T.A. but the professor of the “sex class” taught at Kansas State University.
When the professor became ill and SCOTT
unexpectedly passed away, a 23-year-old
Christy Scott assumed the daunting and uncomfortable task of instructing her peers in the psychology of sexual behavior. And it wasn’t just a few classes; Dr. Scott had to finish out the remaining nine weeks of the course as “Professor” instead of “T.A.” since no other faculty member was willing.
Luckily, she walked away from the experience with more than just embarrassment — she also took away the importance of such a class with today’s bombardment of unrealistic expectations and portrayals of sex: “With the media, there are so many mixed messages about sex and so little information that I don’t want anyone ever to say ‘What’s wrong with me?’ ”
Besides instructing at the college level before actually completing grad school, Scott also earned her M.S. and her Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology at Kansas State University in the span of only four years — the national average is six to eight.
She has previously taught psychology at Loyola University in Chicago and Cal State University Chico. In addition to Psychology of Sexual Behavior, Scott also teaches Social Psychology, Research Methods, Introductory Statistics and Introductory Psychology here at Pepperdine. Her dream is to obtain a Master of Fine Arts in theater.
Glendale-raised Scott has always been a fan of stage theater. Indeed, if she couldn’t teach, she would be acting and directing. She said, “I am never happier than when I am going to rehearsal no matter how late or long it is going to be.”
She double majored in theater and psychology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, having long been involved with theater. Particularly, Scott enjoys working with adolescent actors because she knows the ages of 15 to 20 can be a difficult time of self-discovery.
“Theater brings with it a natural sense of belonging,” she said. “It is like a surrogate family.”
While studying in Kansas, she put together her own traveling company of 12 youth.
What is your favorite thing about Pepperdine?
The students. I’ve never been at a school where I have felt so appreciated and so loved by the students. When my mom was sick, students checked up on me. When I was sick, students were bringing me cough drops and seeing if they could do anything for me. They’re always doing something to nurture back. I am used to being the caregiver and the protector, and I’ve had that reciprocated here more than any other place I have taught.
When you are not in the classroom, what do you like to do?
Besides acting and directing, I love to read. I love suspense, fiction, mysteries, crime scenes… My favorite thing to do on Saturdays is to stay in bed reading until eleven — and eat cookies in bed because I wasn’t allowed to when I was a kid.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
My Ph.D. The first time I had someone call me “Dr. Scott,” I had to fight the urge to turn around and see who they were talking to. I was only 25 years old at the time. I wasn’t even used to being called “ma’am,” let alone “doctor.” I am proud every day of what I have accomplished and that I have a chance to help others pursue their goals.
What is something you wish you had known when you were in college?
I wish I had known how much learning takes place outside of the classroom.
Is there a motto you live by?
“Success is many things to many people. But if you have the courage to be true to yourself, to live up to your potential, to be fair with others, and always look for the good in any situation…Then you will have been the best you can be, and there is no greater success than that.”
– Linda Lee Elrod
Also, “It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, ‘Always do what you are afraid to do.’ ”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
At the end of the day, what do you do to unwind?
Ironically, I enjoy step aerobic classes although I make fun of them! I like the music. I like to get lost in things, whether in a book, a play or a movie. I’m always thinking, so it’s hard to just turn off my brain and unwind.
Favorite quote?
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”
– Erma Bombeck
October 02, 2003