College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Fortner-Wood joined Winthrop’s Department of Psychology in 1998. Her research focuses on early development, in particular the long-term effects of early relationships. Her professional service includes consulting on attachment in adoption in S.C. family courts and using evaluation to improve federally-funded programs (i.e., U.S. Department of Education, NSF, and SAMHSA). She is the Co-Chair of the National Council on Family Relations Adoption Focus Group and serves on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Attention Home.

Fortner-Wood’s campus service includes serving as the Chair of the Psychology Department’s Curriculum and Assessment Committee and as one of the department’s two webmasters. She served as the chair of Faculty Conference (2007-09) and earned the College of Arts and Sciences' Outstanding Advising Award (2005). However, she is most proud of her involvement in Winthrop’s successful bids for U.S. Department of Education TRiO projects which provide life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged students (McNair 2009 and 2012; Student Support Services 2005 and 2010). In addition to her role in Psychology, Fortner-Wood is the Director of the Winthrop McNair Scholars Program which is housed in University College.