Rate My Professor Ron Elizaga

Ron Elizaga is a full professor in the Psychology department at Columbus State Community College, where he has served for nearly 14 years. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Experimental Social Psychology from Ohio University. As a dedicated educator, Elizaga teaches courses including Introduction to Psychology, Honors Introduction to Psychology, Personality Psychology, and Social Psychology. He serves as the Distance Learning lead instructor for the Psychology Department and is a founding member of the Generation One Trailblazers, a faculty resource group supporting first-generation college students. His teaching philosophy emphasizes creating enjoyable yet thought-provoking learning environments that foster critical thinking. Elizaga employs innovative strategies such as think-pair-share activities, reciprocal teaching, and pre-provided PowerPoint slides with fill-in blanks to engage students and help them process complex psychological concepts in meaningful chunks. He has been actively involved in initiatives like the Supplemental Instruction program, the Active and Collaborative Learning Community, and the Instructional Success Committee.

Elizaga's research interests lie in areas of social cognition, including cognitive construal theory, stereotype threat, goal persistence and motivation. He has received multiple accolades for his excellence in teaching, including the Columbus State Community College Distinguished Teaching Award, first awarded prior to 2017 and again in 2024, as well as the Honors Faculty Member of the Year Award in 2016. These honors recognize his enthusiasm for the subject, strong rapport with students, effective course organization, and use of varied instructional methods. Through his work, Elizaga introduces students to Psychology, encouraging them to examine themselves and their world more critically, and contributes significantly to student success, particularly for those transitioning to sophisticated learning practices.