Biography and education
Priscilla Goble is an Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State University and a Certified Child Life Specialist. She has dedicated her career to understanding and supporting the people who help children thrive—whether in classrooms, hospitals, or community programs.
Dr. Goble earned her doctorate in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University and completed her postdoctoral work in the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs from Purdue University and completed her Child Life internship at University Hospital in San Antonio.
Her research and teaching center on strengthening the work of educators, child life specialists, and other professionals serving children and families, with a particular focus on fostering the well-being of both these professionals and the children and families they support.
Dr. Goble earned her doctorate in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University and completed her postdoctoral work in the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs from Purdue University and completed her Child Life internship at University Hospital in San Antonio.
Her research and teaching center on strengthening the work of educators, child life specialists, and other professionals serving children and families, with a particular focus on fostering the well-being of both these professionals and the children and families they support.
Featured grants
- Dier, Shannon Elizabeth (Principal), Percent Contribution: %90, Goble, Priscilla Maria (Co-Principal). Child Life Specialist Relationships and Hospitalized Children’s Coping and Behavior, Texas State University, $15976. (Submitted: October 2024, Funded: February 2025 - May 2026). Grant.
- Goble, Priscilla Maria (Principal), Shen, Yishan (Principal), Weimer, Amy Ann (Supporting), Alfaro, Edna C (Supporting), Seo, Eunjin (Supporting), Behnke, Andrew Owen (Supporting). REU Site: Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Human Development and Family Sciences (OUR HDFS) Fellowship Program, National Science Foundation, Federal, $439005. (Funded: September 2024 - August 2027). Grant.
- Shen, Yishan (Principal), Goble, Priscilla Maria (Co-Principal), Alfaro, Edna C (Co-Principal), Behnke, Andrew Owen (Co-Principal), Dier, Shannon Elizabeth (Co-Principal), Seo, Eunjin (Co-Principal), Weimer, Amy Ann (Co-Principal). Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Human Development and Family Sciences (OUR HDFS): A Two-Track Training Program, Texas State University, $6000. (Submitted: July 2024, Funded: September 2024 - May 2025). Grant.
- Shen, Yishan (Principal), Goble, Priscilla Maria (Principal), Weimer, Amy Ann (Co-Principal), Alfaro, Edna C (Co-Principal), Seo, Eunjin (Co-Principal), Behnke, Andrew (Co-Principal). Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Developmental Psychology (OUR DP) Fellowship Program, American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, $5000. (Submitted: October 2023, Funded: January 2024 - Present). Grant.
- Shen, Yishan (Principal), Percent Contribution: %25, Goble, Priscilla Maria (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %25, Weimer, Amy Ann (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %25, Alfaro, Edna C (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %25. Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Human Development and Family Sciences (OUR HDFS) Fellowship, Texas State University, $5000. (Submitted: July 2022, Funded: September 2022 - May 2023). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Flynn, T. B., Goble, P., Bishop, N. J., & Weimer, A. A. (2022). Early childhood hospitalization and problematic behaviors: A propensity score analysis. Journal of Child Health Care.
- Goble, P. M., Blalock, S. M., Nauman, C., Flynn, T., Ezra, P., Moreno, S., & Sharber, E. (2025). Play therapy in preschool: Promoting teacher empathy and strengthening child-teacher bonds. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 99. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2025.101838
- Ezra, P. R., Goble, P. M., Trahan, M. H., & Clegg, J. M. (2025). Moderating Effects of Religiosity on Depression and Paternal Involvement. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 34, 476–489. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02984-y
- Sandilos, L., Goble, P. M., Ezra, P., & Kane, C. (2024). Head Start Classroom Demands and Resources: Identifying Associations with Teacher Burnout. Journal of School Psychology. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000568
- Blalock, S. M., Goble, P. M., Purswell, K. E., Greene-Rooks, J. H., Glosoff, H. L., Moreno, S., & Flores, L. (2024). Preschool Teacher Perceptions of Child-Teacher Relationship Training. International Journal of Play Therapy. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000229
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Research Award for Faculty Development Leave. August 2024 - Present
- Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Distinction for Excellence in Teaching. 2023
- Award / Honor Recipient: Office of Equity and Inclusion, Inclusive Excellence Showcase. 2020 - 2022
- Award / Honor Recipient: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Graduate Research University Program Grant, Arizona State University. 2011
- Award / Honor Recipient: Urie Bronfenbrenner Travel Grant, Association for Public Policy Analyses and Management Research Conference, Washington, DC. 2009
Featured service activities
- Reviewer / Referee
Journal of Educational Psychology
- Editorial Review Board Member
Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
- Graduate Advisor
HDFS Graduate Program Co-Coordinator
- Participant
Graduate Council
- Member
Graduate Admissions Committee
- Member
Early Childhood Coalition of Hays County