Retired Psychology Professor Engaging with Global Thinkers

After an illustrious 45-year career as a Psychology professor at Brookdale Community College, Dr. Elaine H. Olaoye has embarked on a new chapter of personal and professional growth as a retiree. However, her retirement isn’t about slowing down but expanding her horizons and continuing her lifelong learning journey. In July 2024, Dr. Olaoye attended two major international psychology conferences in Prague, presenting her work while exploring new frontiers of thought and research.

Dr. Olaoye’s retirement has allowed her to dive deeper into the meanings of her teaching career and academic pursuits. Reflecting on her experience, she poetically captures the essence of intellectual liberty in retirement:
“What can you do when you retire, after 45 years of cognitive and emotional engagement, that helped inspire thousands of students in their desire to learn about psychology, the emotions, and neurons that fire when you are passionate about your growth, your goals, your world?”

As she attended the 82nd International Council of Psychologists Conference and the 33rd International Congress of Psychology, her mind remained as sharp and curious as ever. At these events, she presented a paper on the dynamic interplay between mainstream psychology, positive psychology, and the psychology of religion and spirituality. Her work highlighted the historical relationships between these disciplines and how their collaboration could lead to a deeper understanding of the human condition, particularly in addressing the growing mental health needs of today’s world.

One of the highlights of Dr. Olaoye’s time in Prague was her participation in a roundtable on “Psychology and Democracy,” where she engaged with the ideas of Dr. Fathali Moghaddam from Georgetown University. These conversations sparked new insights about how psychology can address the challenges of modern society, where democracy itself is often under pressure. In the process, she found new ways to contribute to her profession even after retiring. Despite the intensive intellectual engagement, Dr. Olaoye found time to enjoy Prague’s rich history and culture. She paddled with colleagues near the Gothic statue-rich Charles Bridge and dined aboard a boat gliding along the Vltava River—a truly picturesque contrast to the cerebral discussions of the conferences.

Dr. Olaoye’s reflections on her time in Prague were marked by a profound appreciation for the city’s storied past. She drew parallels between the city’s six-century-old astronomical clock, which faithfully provides celestial data, and the dawn of artificial intelligence (AI). Her poetry presentation, “Passions of the Soul in the Age of AI,” explored the implications of AI on human emotions and intelligence, urging a thoughtful examination of the impact of this new technology.

As she posed the question in her poem: “Do you think AI will be patient, faithful, and serve us for another six centuries?” she invited her audience to consider the long-term effects of this cutting-edge invention, contrasting it with Prague’s timeless astronomical clock—a reminder of human ingenuity and resilience.

Dr. Elaine H. Olaoye’s participation in these prestigious events is a testament to her commitment to lifelong learning. Even in retirement, she is dedicated to advancing the field of psychology, offering new insights, and encouraging collaboration among diverse schools of thought.

Her journey shows that retirement is not an endpoint but a new beginning. Dr. Olaoye’s story illustrates that there is always more to learn, explore, and contribute, even after a long and successful academic career. Brookdale retirees like Dr. Olaoye are proving that professional development and personal growth continue long after the last lecture is given.

She says, “You can be free to extract deeper meanings, from all the teaching and learning, free to embrace emergent changes, make unique observations, that can be offered to your profession, as it faces new challenges in a world that is rapidly changing.”

Dr. Olaoye’s post-retirement journey in Prague is a beautiful example of how Brookdale Community College faculty continue to inspire and contribute to academia and beyond, long after leaving the classroom.