Precious Hardy, PhD

Precious Hardy, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Associate at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Dr. Hardy’s research focuses on promoting educational equity and minimizing academic disparities among racially and socioeconomically diverse students, particularly in reading and math. Her work emphasizes understanding the supports and employing strength-based approaches to empower racially minoritized and financially disadvantaged students in their educational pursuits and within educational systems. Dr. Hardy has been published in notable journals and featured in various media outlets for her contributions to educational research. She led the development of the Student Support Needs Scale (SSNS), a groundbreaking tool designed to assess the support needs of undergraduate STEM students. Additionally, her expertise translates research into tangible solutions, implementing evidence-based interventions to bridge achievement gaps and foster inclusive learning environments. Dr. Hardy is a 2024 Data Science Methods for Digital Learning Platforms (DSMDLP) Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, where she further enhances her skills in leveraging data science to address critical issues in education. She has also served as a peer reviewer for several journals, including Translational Issues in Psychological Science and the Journal of Black Studies, among others. Through her dedication to research and advocacy, Dr. Hardy continues to develop innovative strategies that advance educational opportunities for all students.