LAURA VERNON, PHD
Workshops & Speaking
Interactive sessions that give students, parents, and educators practical tools to navigate AI, build resilience, and strengthen relationships. Grounded in research, built for life.
Beyond the Algorithm: Learning and Thriving in the Age of AI
How AI is reshaping the way students learn, think, and connect — and what to do about it. This workshop gives students practical strategies for using AI in ways that genuinely support learning rather than quietly replace it. Parents and educators leave with a clearer framework for what helpful versus harmful AI use actually looks like — not a list of rules, but a way of thinking that travels with students into any classroom or challenge.
Stressed, Stretched, and Still Standing: Psychology Tools for Setbacks and Bouncing Back
College is a different kind of hard. The classes, the pressure, the moments when things don't go the way you planned — and nobody automatically swooping in to help you figure it out. This workshop gives you real psychology-backed tools for managing stress, getting through setbacks, and building the kind of resilience that actually holds up when life gets complicated. Parents and educators: you'll leave with a clearer picture of what students are navigating and how to offer support that genuinely helps.
Study Smarter: Science-Backed Strategies for Maximizing Learning
Many students study hard. Far fewer study smart. This workshop translates decades of learning science into strategies students can use -- from how memory really works to why some exam review strategies can backfire. Students leave with a concrete set of strategies for understanding not just what to study, but how, when, and why certain approaches work when others don't. Parents and educators learn what the research actually says about effective learning — and how to support it without taking over.
Your People: Communication, Connection, and Support
The students who thrive in college aren't necessarily the most academically prepared — they're the ones with the skills and knowledge to build a strong social circle. This workshop helps students navigate new relationships, communicate through conflict, and build the kind of support network that holds up when semesters get hard. Parents and educators learn how to foster the environments where those connections can take root.
Sessions can be adapted for students, parents, and educators and are available in both virtual and in-person formats.
If you are interested in bringing a workshop to your school, organization, or group, I would be glad to connect.
About the Facilitator: An experienced clinical psychology professor and researcher for over 25 years, Dr. Vernon knows how to make complex topics accessible, relevant, and genuinely fun.