Dr. Kaitlyn Langendoerfer joined the university this fall as an assistant professor in the Sociology Department.
Langendoerfer received a bachelor of pre-medical science in sociology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. She also received her doctorate in sociology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
“I’ve always been interested and I love research and what I do in terms of my research, but what I really want to go into academia for is teaching,” said Langendoerfer. “At Wilkes, it’s a very teaching-oriented college [and] it’s smaller, so you really get to know the students.”
Langendoerfer planned to pursue a career in dentistry before considering one in sociology. When writing an essay for why she wanted to be a dentist, her committee told her that she might make a good dentist, but that she sounds like a sociologist.
She explained that sociology is important if a student is going into nursing or another career in the science field.
“You still need to know how your personal problems or maybe your patients’ personal problems are related to public issues and societal issues and how that may be playing a role in either your own life or your patients’ life,” said Langendoerfer.
Throughout her academic career, she has had various influential professors that believed in her research and encouraged her to pursue a career in sociology. She understands that not every student who comes into her office or is in her class will become a sociologist, but she hopes that in some way, she is helping to shape them and mentor them.
In her free time, Langendoerfer likes to spend time outside with her three children. They are currently raising monarch caterpillars that will soon become butterflies.
“It’s really a good way to see sociology,” said Langendoerfer. “I’m seeing their socialization as they go to school and I’m seeing how my parenting is impacting them and I’m seeing all these things I’m studying.”
Langendoerfer currently lives in Honesdale, Pa., with her husband, three children, two horses and donkey.
In five years, Langendoerfer plans to be an associate professor, and to be in her group with students who are akin to her and are interested in her classes.
“I am a medical sociologist and I study aging, so I’m hoping to bring those specializations into the department that has mainly focused on criminology and family,” said Langendoerfer. “I’m hoping to bridge those and bring in medical and life course issues and to the curriculum.”
One piece of advice Langendoerfer has for students is to meet with their professors. She explained that most students don’t attend their professor’s office hours, unless there is an assignment or project.