Brigham Young University–Hawaii is pleased to announce the addition of Joshua Christensen as a new assistant professor in the Psychology Program, starting in the Fall 2024 semester. A distinguished alumnus and accomplished researcher, Christensen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Seasider community, promising to enrich the academic and personal growth of BYUH students.
Born and raised in South Jordan, Utah, Christensen has always been passionate about education and service. His journey began with a full-time mission from 2013 to 2015, serving in both the Liberia Monrovia Mission and the New Mexico Farmington Mission.
With an academic path marked by a strong foundation in health and psychology, Christensen earned his associate's degree from BYU–Hawaii, where he met his wife, Krystal, in the REL 225, Foundations of the Restoration class. Reflecting on this period, Christensen shares, "As a BYU–Hawaii alumnus, I know how special and exciting this campus is. I am so excited to be part of the Seasider community again and have the opportunity to work with so many amazing people from around the world! Since my wife and I met here, it is going to be a full-circle moment for our family."
After completing his associate's degree, Christensen transferred to Brigham Young University–Idaho, earning a bachelor's degree in health psychology. His academic journey continued at Brigham Young University, where he completed a Ph.D. in developmental psychology with a cross-area emphasis in health psychology. His research focused on child and adolescent health, particularly within the context of the family. His dissertation explored the impact of stress on adolescent health, a topic that continues to drive his research interests.
Christensen’s postdoctoral work at the University of Utah Health further honed his expertise with research centered on shared decision-making in atrial fibrillation treatment and diabetes prevention and intervention. As he transitions to his new role at BYU–Hawaii, Joshua aims to continue his research on the relationship between stress and health, with a particular focus on adolescence and emerging adulthood. “Stress is something that affects absolutely everyone, so understanding how stress may negatively impact your health is very important. It is exciting to learn more about the stress-health relationship and discover what factors might help that relationship. I think looking at these factors during adolescence/emerging adulthood is especially interesting since these are such formative times in people’s lives and may set the stage for how an individual deals with stress throughout their lives,” he explains.
A teaching philosophy that is deeply student-centered and emphasizes collaborative learning is central to Christensen’s methods. “When I think about teaching, I see myself as a guide for my students. I am there to impart the knowledge that I have accumulated over the years, but I am also there to answer questions and help the students along their educational journey. My favorite classes are ones that are led by students, where it is more of a discussion than a lecture. I’m excited to hear the unique perspectives of the students at BYU–Hawaii and how it will impact the direction of these discussions on the topic of psychology.” Christensen said.
Joshua Christensen’s return to BYU–Hawaii is not just a professional milestone but a personal homecoming. His journey from student to assistant professor exemplifies the definition of “enter to learn, go forth to serve,” and his presence promises to inspire and uplift the next generation of Seasiders.