What inspires you? 

I am inspired by hearing the stories of others who have overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. I am inspired by seeing my students and individuals I train experience “a ha” moments where they “get it.” I am inspired by passion, purpose, effort, grit, and determination. 

What makes a great leader? 

A great leader is one who incorporates trauma-informed practices into their daily lives and leads by example. They recognize that individuals give their best when they feel safe, trusted, and empowered collaborators (peers).   

Tell us about a time you felt truly proud of your work. What did you accomplish? 

I am truly proud of achieving my doctoral degree. I was the first female in my family to achieve that level of education and the second Dr. Berke (my brother was the first). 

Tell us about your most difficult challenge and how you overcame it. 

My most difficult challenge is overcoming my shyness and not allowing my introversion to always dominate. Cultivating my innate curiosity about people and my desire to hear their stories helps me deal with shyness and introversion. 

Debra L. Berke is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She also holds a Ph.D. in Family Studies from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining Wilmington University in 2009, she taught family studies and women’s studies at Messiah College for 15 years. She also directed the Gender Studies Project at Messiah College. Dr. Berke has been a consultant for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the State of Delaware. She has served as Chair of the Family Policy Section, Chair of the Education and Enrichment Section, and is currently President-Elect of the Board of Directors of the National Council on Family Relations. She also served as President of the Family Science Association. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Trauma Matters Delaware and an inaugural recipient of the Delaware Compassionate Champion Awards. Dr. Berke is a Certified Family Life Educator and the Director of Psychology Programs and the Center for Prevention Science at Wilmington University.