RISE WITH RESILIENCE
Meet Michele Tugade
Dr. Michele Tugade is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Endowed Chair and Professor of Psychological Science at Vassar College. Her research focuses on positive emotions, coping, and resilience in the face of stress and adversity. She directs the Resilience Laboratory at Vassar College, and is a frequent public speaker and workshop facilitator for sessions on mental health, well-being, education, and women's leadership.
Tugade received a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health and is an elected member of the International Society for Research on Emotions. She has worked in partnership with a number of organizations, including: NASA, Apple, The University of Global Health Equity (Rwanda, Africa), the Women's Bar Association, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and The United Way.
You can find Dr. Tugade's work featured in various media outlets, including NPR, the New York Times, CBS News, CNBC, Thrive Global/ Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and EDUCAUSE, and many more. Her publications include her book, the Handbook of Positive Emotions (Guilford Press), as well as a number of research articles and scholarly public interest pieces. She writes a column, "Everyday Resilience" for Psychology Today.
Find the Joy
People can discover their capacity to feel positive emotions (gratitude, joy, hope) and learn how to thrive -- even in the face of adversity. Dr. Tugade has developed a comprehensive program that promotes wellness strategies, which focus on the personal strengths that allow individuals to achieve resilience and flourish, especially in the midst of challenging circumstances. Her work is scientifically valid and based on research, which shape her lectures, consultations, and workshops. Having broad reach, her work spans from the classroom to the board room to outdoors in nature.
An equestrian and nature enthusiast, Dr. Tugade is the Co-Founder and Director of the Southlands/Samaritan-Daytop Program, an equine-assisted therapeutic program for those in recovery from substance use addiction.
Mind-Body Connection
Dr. Tugade’s work centers on how positive emotions and resilience shape the mind-body connection, helping people thrive even under stress. As a leading researcher in affective science, she explores how cultivating optimism, emotional awareness, and healthy coping strategies can calm the body’s stress response, strengthen well-being, and support a more balanced, grounded sense of self. Her insights highlight that nurturing the mind and emotions is not separate from caring for the body and soul. Indeed, they work together to foster lasting health and inner strength.
Resilience with Global Impact
Global perspectives on wellbeing are important. Dr. Tugade has travelled across the world to teach, deliver lectures, and give workshops to groups from various cultures and communities. Having global reach with her work, she has deep appreciation for the cultural teachings. Her work has reached Africa, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and more to come.
Let's Stay Connected
Send a note, drop a line, and share a story. If you or your organization is interested in a consultation, keynote speaker, workshop, or collaboration, let's talk! All partnerships are tailored to meet your individual goals.
Featured Articles
How Laughter Can Help in Difficult Times (German: Wie Lachen in schweren Zeiten helfen kann)
How humor can help lighten the mood, and build connections with those around you ... at the appropriate time.
Spring Awakenings: Embracing Joy, Wonder, and Connection in Nature's Renewal
Within the rhythms of nature, we find a quiet invitation to reconnect, not just with the earth, but with a more grounded sense of self.
How Not to Fall Into Despair (The New York Times)
Resilience comes down to a few core factors: leaning into community, being kind to yourself, finding small routines to support your mental health, allowing yourself to feel sadness and loss and yet maintain hope at the same time. It requires a commitment to taking productive action.
How Humor Can Help You Get Through Hard Times (Scientific American)
The Burnt Toast Theory Promises Everything Happens For A Reason. Adopting It Could Change Your Life (Women's Health Magazine)
When life feels difficult, humor can be a coping mechanism that relieves stress and offers the breathing room to keep going, scientists say.
The Burnt Toast Theory Promises Everything Happens For A Reason. Adopting It Could Change Your Life (Women's Health Magazine)
The Burnt Toast Theory Promises Everything Happens For A Reason. Adopting It Could Change Your Life (Women's Health Magazine)
Psychologists explain how (and why) to put this theory into action. Read more on Dr. Tugade's perspective.
How Learned Optimism Can Improve Your Life, According To Psychologists (Women's Health Magazine)
How Learned Optimism Can Improve Your Life, According To Psychologists (Women's Health Magazine)
How Learned Optimism Can Improve Your Life, According To Psychologists (Women's Health Magazine)
Ahead, psychologists explain how you can learn to look on the bright side.
Health Care for All Is a Global Issue (Thrive Global)
How Learned Optimism Can Improve Your Life, According To Psychologists (Women's Health Magazine)
How Learned Optimism Can Improve Your Life, According To Psychologists (Women's Health Magazine)
"Moving beyond hope and miracles, there is Ubumuntu — humanity, kindness, greatness of heart — which fuels the commitment of our future medical professionals to provide quality health care for all."
Aging and Mindfulness (Psychology Today)
How Learned Optimism Can Improve Your Life, According To Psychologists (Women's Health Magazine)
The Holiday Tasks That Are Secretly Depleting You (Huffington Post)
Why learning mindfulness will be easier yet also more challenging with age.
The Holiday Tasks That Are Secretly Depleting You (Huffington Post)
How To Cope With Inflation Stress, According To Mental Health Experts (Huffington Post)
The Holiday Tasks That Are Secretly Depleting You (Huffington Post)
The season isn't always so merry — it also can come with stress if you're the one keeping track of everything. Here's why and what to do.
How To Cope With Inflation Stress, According To Mental Health Experts (Huffington Post)
How To Cope With Inflation Stress, According To Mental Health Experts (Huffington Post)
How To Cope With Inflation Stress, According To Mental Health Experts (Huffington Post)
Inflation is at a 40-year high, and it's hard not to worry or feel anxious about the cost of living, unexpected bills and more.
Featured Videos
CBS News
"Coping with Stress from Turmoil in the News"
With rising anxiety over a possible wider Middle East war, you may be wondering how best to process everything. Dr. Michele Tugade, a professor of psychological science at Vassar College, joined CBS News with tips on how to cope with stressful stories in the news.
Michele Tugade on Radio Free Rhinecliff
This week’s guest is a professor of psychological science at Vassar and an author of the “Handbook of Positive Emotions”. She works with The Southlands Foundation & NASA and is heard on CBS, PBS & RadioFreeRhinecliff! Honored to have Michele Tugade live tonight!
The Art of Sway: How to Beat Stress & Experience More Joy
Could the secret to beating stress in our crazy world be as simple as “getting good at feeling good feelings”? Dr. Tugade explains how welcoming feelings of joy, gratitude, and optimism into our lives can enhance our ability to navigate through challenges, lower our stress levels, and promote a better overall sense of well-being.
Kindness Matters: The United Way
Vassar College Professor Michele Tugade discusses The Science of Kindness for The United Way.
NPR: National Public Radio
Vassar Professor Says Positive Emotions Will Help With Resiliency In COVID-19 Crisis
WAMC: Weekend Edition
Dr. Michele Tugade’s research focuses on the function of positive emotions in the coping process. She says humans are well equipped with internal tools, readily available to help us be resilient and overcome the stresses and anxieties caused by the global COVID-19 crisis.
Ruben Museum: Brainwave Series
Can there be such a thing as "mindful politics"?
In this Brainwave talk, Dr. Michele Tugade, with David & Ethan Nictern (father and son mindfulness duo) discuss the perspective that mindfulness can bring to our unsettled political climate.
As Featured In
PARNTERSHIPS and Collaborations
