Laura Woodward
Office phone
313-577-1463
Office address
Mazurek Education Commons – Suite 315
320 E. Canfield Ave., Detroit MI 48201
Awards and honors
- Mamie Todd Miller Scholarship for Women, University of Denver
- Pedro de Peralta Award for Service by a Commuter Student, College of Santa Fe
- Magna Cum Laude, College of Santa Fe
- President’s List and Dean’s List, College of Santa Fe
- Merit Scholar for New Mexico, Santa Fe High School
- Recognition for Service, National College Testing Association (NCTA) – Editorial Board Member and Volunteer Site Reviewer
Biography
Dr. Laura Woodward serves as a University Counselor III in the Office of Student Affairs at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She provides individualized academic advising, career counseling, and wellness support to medical students across all years of training. A Wayne State alumna, she earned her Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Social Psychology. Her dissertation focused on how attitudes toward high-stakes testing impact student motivation and performance, with a focus on engagement and equity.
Prior to joining the School of Medicine, Dr. Woodward directed university-wide assessment initiatives as Director of Testing and Assessment. She also taught courses in psychology and statistics, emphasizing applied learning and academic resilience. Her work bridges data-driven advising with compassionate, student-centered support.
Professional service
Dr. Woodward contributes to institutional and student-focused service initiatives, including:
- Match Insights Power BI Project – A residency advising dashboard visualizing match trends and outcomes.
- Leave of Absence Reintegration– Online Canvas modules supporting students’ academic return after LOA.
- Residency Match and SOAP Teams – Providing guidance and document review during the match process.
- Clerkship Support – Collaborating with clinical site reps and committees to improve student experience.
- Student Promotions and Advising Committees – Participating in case reviews and student support planning.
- Student Wellness Programming – Designing and leading test anxiety and mindfulness workshops.
- Reviewer, Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory and Practice (2024–Present)
Education/training
Ph.D. in Psychology (2007)
- Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
- Concentration: Social Psychology
- Dissertation: Improving Attitudes about Exit Exams through a Better Understanding of Educational Goals and Motivational Functions that Underlie Them
M.A. in Psychology (2003)
- Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
- Thesis: A Functional Approach to Persuasion
M.A. in Mental Health Counseling (1998)
- University of Denver, Denver, CO
- Practicum: High school counseling and LGBTQ+ student mentoring
B.F.A. in Psychology and Art (1995)
- College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude, President’s List, Dean’s List
- Thesis: Umlaut, A Series of Self-Portraits
Responsibilities
Dr. Woodward’s work focuses on both direct student support and strategic initiatives. Key responsibilities include:
- Academic Advising – Supporting students through curriculum planning, academic milestones, and transitions.
- Study Strategy Coaching – Teaching sustainable, evidence-based approaches tailored to individual learning styles.
- Exam Preparation – Providing coaching and mindset training for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2.
- Test Anxiety and Stress Management – Delivering individual guidance and workshops rooted in mindfulness and cognitive strategies.
- Career Advising – Assisting with specialty exploration, residency strategy, and career decision-making.
- Reintegration After Leave of Absence (LOA) – Coordinating tools and advising to support student reentry.
- Student Wellness and Emotional Support – Offering confidential counseling and referrals to campus resources.
Professional experience
- University Counselor III, School of Medicine, Wayne State University (2023–Present)
- Director of Testing and Assessment, Main Campus, Wayne State University (2010–2023)
- Assessment Specialist, Office of Undergraduate Programs (2007–2010)
- Learning Specialist / Counselor, Academic Success Center (2000–2010)
- Adjunct Instructor, Psychology Department (1998–2000)
Earlier roles included work in mental health counseling, academic support for students with disabilities, and youth literacy coordination.
Expertise
- Academic advising and retention
- Assessment design and educational data analysis
- USMLE preparation and performance strategy
- Test anxiety and resilience coaching
- Inclusive and strengths-based advising
- Program development for student transitions (e.g., LOA, Match)
Research interests
- Student motivation and academic persistence
- Equity and belonging in medical education
- Stress, coping, and test anxiety in high-stakes settings
- Data-informed advising tools for medical student success
- Reintegration support for students returning from academic leave
Publications
- Woodward, L. (2025). Perspectives on stress and coping: Helping students manage high-stakes exams. Stress and Coping Bulletin.
- Woodward, L. S., Patrick, S. D., & Rapport, L. J. (2024). Grit and graduation: Exploring persistence among urban university students. Journal of College Student Retention.
- Byrd, M. A., Woodward, L. S., Yan, S., & Simon, N. (2018). Analytical collaboration for student graduation success. Mid-Western Educational Researcher, 30(4), 227–250.
- Hill, W., & Woodward, L. S. (2013). Examining the impact learning communities have on College of Education students. Journal of College Student Development, 54(6), 643–648.
- Woodward, L., & Reaves, R. (2006). Reconceptualizing at-risk: A discussion of findings. E-Source for College Transitions, 4(1), 1.