A Conversation with Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer

In our inaugural edition of From Roots to Research, we had the privilege to speak with Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer, a prominent scholar at TC, whose research has been shaped by her global experiences and dedication to supporting bilingual children’s development. From her early days as a speech-language pathologist to securing major research grants, Dr. Hammer’s journey offers invaluable insights into the world of academia and research.

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR): Dr. Hammer, thank you for taking the time to chat with us! To start, can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in education and research?

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer: Of course! I started as a speech-language pathologist and worked in the field for about eight years before deciding to pursue my PhD. There were a few important experiences that really shaped my path.

The first was working in an infant program at San Francisco State University, where we served children from birth to three years old who had significant developmental needs. It was an interdisciplinary environment, and I learned the value of incorporating perspectives from other fields into my work.

The second pivotal experience was in Saipan, a tiny island five miles by twelve miles in size, north of Guam. It is a commonwealth of the US, but obviously very different. I worked with local Chamorro and Carolinian staff, serving families with children who had special needs. I wasn’t familiar with their cultures, so I had to learn from the local community, which pushed me to let go of my own cultural assumptions. These experiences deeply influenced my research, especially when it comes to understanding bilingual children’s language and literacy development and how cultural and environmental factors impact their growth and development. These two were very impactful experiences for me. 

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR): It is incredible how those experiences laid the foundation for your research. Was there specific experiences or anyone in particular who inspired you to become the educator and researcher you are today?

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer: Yes! Definitely! I have been fortunate to have had some amazing mentors along the way. Two people that come to mind are Lynne Vernon-Feagans and Mark Greenberg from Penn State University. They were both pivotal during my early academic career. Additionally, my doctoral mentors, Amy Weiss and Bruce Tomblin, who were at the University of Iowa, were instrumental in my career and academic development. 

Lynn, in particular, stands out. She was Vice Dean for Research at the time and took a group of junior faculty to Washington, D.C., to demystify the grant-writing process. She introduced us to project officers at the NIH and NSF, and it was through her mentorship, along with Mark’s, that I secured my first federal grant - a $2 million award! That moment really set the stage for the rest of my research career.

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR): That’s such a powerful story about mentorship and its impact. During your academic career, have you faced any significant challenges, and how did you overcome them?

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer: One major challenge that every academic and researcher encounters is rejection. Whether it’s a grant proposal or a journal article, rejection is a constant companion in academia. It’s tough, but with the right support and mentorship, you learn to handle it.

For me, the key has been perseverance. When a grant proposal gets rejected, I give myself a few days (sometimes even a week) to process it, maybe feel frustrated, and then I move on. I remind myself that the feedback comes from smart people who are trying to help me improve. After that, it is about learning from the feedback and moving forward. It is important for junior faculty to know that rejection is part of the journey, but with hard work and persistence, you can be successful.

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR): I love that approach - allowing yourself time to process rejection but then turning it into a learning experience. Shifting gears, what do you enjoy most about being part of Teachers College?

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer: There’s so much I love about Teachers College, but what stands out the most is the genuine commitment to diversity, multiculturalism, and multilingualism. The diversity among the faculty, staff, and especially the students is something I’m incredibly proud of.

In our Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program, we have one of the most diverse student bodies in the country. It aligns perfectly with my research, which focuses on supporting bilingual children and families from under-resourced communities. TC provides the perfect environment for that work. My colleagues are also fantastic - supportive and collaborative - which makes it such a rewarding place to be.

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR): It sounds like TC really fosters an environment that aligns with your values and research goals. What advice would you give to both faculty and students at TC?

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer: My biggest piece of advice is to persevere. Rejection happens to everyone in academia, and it’s important to understand that it’s just part of the process. You might not get the grant or the journal acceptance on your first try, but don’t give up. Seek advice from mentors who have had successful careers, and take their feedback seriously. There’s a lot of support available, and people are often willing to mentor the next generation.

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR): That’s great advice - mentorship and perseverance really seem to be key. Now, stepping outside of academia, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? Any hobbies or interests?

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer: I love to travel! Experiencing different cultures is a passion of mine, and food is a big part of that. I consider myself a bit of a foodie, so I love trying new dishes from around the world. I’m also an avid photographer, so being able to capture those travel experiences through photography is something I really enjoy. It’s like my three passions - travel, food, and photography - all come together.

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR): That’s fantastic! Lastly, is there an interesting or fun fact about yourself that most people at Teachers College might not know?

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer: Sure! Here’s a fun story: Early in my career, I worked as a language specialist in an infant-toddler program in the Bay Area. In my drawer, I found drawings from Amy Tan. If you read her biography, you’ll find that she also worked in Alameda County as a language specialist with children with special needs. At one point in my career, I actually took over Amy's position - yes, the same Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club!

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR): That’s fascinating! One last quick question - what are you reading or listening to these days?

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer: Well, I’m actually working on becoming fluent in Spanish, so right now I’m reading books in Spanish to improve my language skills. It’s a fun challenge! And when it comes to music, I love world music. I have started playing the piano again after many years. I used to play a lot of classical music, and it’s been great to reconnect with that hobby, though I have a long way to go to get back to where I used to be!

Sumit Karn (Office of VDR):
Dr. Hammer, thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights with us. It has been a pleasure!

Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer:
Thank you! I’m honored to be part of this feature, and I really appreciate the opportunity to share my story.

That concludes our conversation with Dr. Carol Scheffner Hammer. We are grateful to Dr. Hammer for sharing her inspiring story, a scholar whose dedication to research and mentorship continues to inspire both students and colleagues at Teachers College. Stay tuned for more stories of TC’s scholars and their research journeys in our From Roots to Research series.