Augie Alumni Spotlight

Jean Sunde Peterson ('62) graduated from Augustana with a degree in English and German.  Jean worked as a teacher and counselor in Germany and across the Midwest, and she earned her Education MA from Augustana in 1982.  She later earned a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Iowa and spent nearly 20 years as a professor and researcher into children's social and emotional development.  She has also served on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Gifted children.  She is a professor emerita and former director of school-counselor preparation from Purdue University. She continues to research and write. 

Her most recent book, Bright, Complex Kids, co-authored with Daniel B. Peters, explores the specific emotional needs high-achieving children have. This book shows adults how to recognize high intellect in children and identify the social and emotional setbacks these gifted children face. Peterson wrote this book to be a resource for parents and educators who want to recognize and nurture the unique needs gifted children have. Bright, Complex Kids is in the alumni display in the main floor of the library.