Ruth Nelson

Job title

Professor of Psychology
Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences

Highlight

Nelson's research interests focus on inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the church, the provision of accessible, safe responses to women of faith with disabilities experiencing intimate partner violence and postsecondary academic support to multilingual students.

Started at Bethel

2001

Education

Bethel College - B.A. in Psychology, Third-World Studies, 1996
University of Minnesota - M.A. in Educational Psychology, 1998
University of Minnesota - Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, 2002

Courses taught

PSY203 Life Span Development
PSY330 Disabilities & Giftedness
GES312J Disability & Society

Awards

Faculty Excellence in Service & Leadership (2025)

Publications

Nelson, J.R., Nichols-Besel, K., & Tahtinen-Pacheco, S. (2024). Testing support for multilingual college learners: Providing an equitable pathway. Journal of College Reading & Learning. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790195.2024.2384347

Nelson, J. R. (2023). Responding well to individuals experiencing abuse and relationship violence. In I. Marini, M. Bishop & A. Fleming (Eds.), Psychological and social impact of chronic illness and disability, (8th ed., pp. 352-364). Springer Publishing.

https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826151117.0019

Johnson, A.J., Nelson, J.R., & Lund, E.M. (Eds.). (2017). Religion, Disability, & Interpersonal Violence. Springer International Publishing: New York.

Presentations

Nelson, J.R. (2024). Promoting Belonging at the Table: Seeing Through their Lens. Workshop presentation at Keys Ministries National Church & Disability Conference, Orlando, MN.

Nelson, J.R. (2024). Are the Gifts of Individuals with Disabilities Being Used and Celebrated in the Church? Workshop presentation at Keys Ministries National Church & Disability Conference, Orlando, MN.

Nelson, J.R. (2024). Untapped Gifts and Strengths of Individuals in the Church Body. Presentation to Affinity Group at ECFA North Central District Conference Meeting, Minneapolis, MN.

Nelson, J. R, & Eisenmann, K. (2022). Belonging: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Individuals with Disabilities' Inclusion in a Large Church. Poster presentation at the American Psychological Association National Convention, Minneapolis, MN.

Nelson, J.R. (2018). Opening doors: Supporting students with disabilities experiencing intimate partner violence. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the National Association of School Psychologists, Chicago, IL.

Johnson, A.J., Lund, E.M., & Nelson, J.R. (2017). Creating "no wrong door" for religious survivors of interpersonal violence with disabilities seeking help. APA Division 36 Hospitality Suite on Religion, Disability & Gender Violence. Presentation conducted at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C..

Johnson, A.J., Lund, E.M., & Nelson, J.R. (2017). Treating IV survivors with disabilities. APA Division 56 Hospitality Suite on Religion, Disability & Gender Violence. Presentation conducted at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C..

Certificates and licenses

Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
MN Certified School Psychologist (LSP)

Professional organizations, committees, and boards

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
MN School Psychologist's Association (MSPA)

Hobbies and interests

Walking, gardening and biking
Spending time with family and friends

Areas of expertise

Psychoeducational assessment/intervention of students with disabilities; Faith integration with disability studies; postsecondary academic support for multilingual students.