Carolyn Cutrona is one of five finalists for the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Cutrona received her bachelor’s degree in English from Stanford University in 1973. She continued on to get her master’s in counseling and guidance in 1974 from the University of New Mexico and her Ph.D. from the University of California in clinical psychology in 1981.

In 1992, Cutrona began her career at Iowa State as a professor in the department of psychology. She is currently the chairwoman of the department of psychology, as well as the director of the Institute for Social and Behavioral Research, a position she has held since 2003.

At Iowa State, Cutrona has focused her research interest on coping with stress, social support, close relationships, health psychology and marital relationships.

Cutrona will speak at an open forum Thursday. The forum will begin at 3:30 p.m. in 1951 Food Sciences. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend and ask questions.

One dean finalist, Albert Boggess, was on campus earlier this week. The other three finalists will arrive next week, each with a separate open forum.