Dr. Elder is a Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Foundations in the College of Education at MSU. She serves as the Associate Dean of Shackouls Honors College and Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Discovery. She is also a Faculty Associate in the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Her research has emphasized investigating and assessing developing cognition, and in the design of educational environments and tools that foster understanding and critical thinking. Research interests include students' epistemological beliefs, self-assessment and self-regulation in various domains (science, math, writing) as well as studying the effects of multi-tasking and study strategies of college students.

• B.S., Psychology, Duke University (1990)
• M.A., Psychology, University of Michigan (1993)
• Ph.D., Education and Psychology, University of Michigan (1999)