Sherylle J. Tan, Ph.D.

Associate Director

Dr. Sherylle J. Tan is a developmental psychologist and the associate director of the Berger Institute for Work, Family, and Children at Claremont McKenna College. Dr. Tan received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Irvine and completed her masters and Ph.D. in psychology with an emphasis in applied developmental psychology at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California.

Dr. Tan’s focuses much of her work on applying developmental theory and methods to understand the issues of child development, parenting, and work and family. Dr. Tan manages and coordinates the Berger Institute’s research projects including the California Paid Family Leave Studies, which examines the impact of paid family leave on health outcomes of caregivers and new parents and assesses whether it can help to alleviate the stresses and demands of combining work and family care responsibilities.

Dr. Tan has worked with various community agencies as an evaluator. She served as the primary evaluator at the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic for two early intervention, preschool-based mental health programs funded by First 5 Los Angeles (Proposition 10 Commission): the award-winning Building Block program and the Stepping Up to School Readiness program. These programs were designed to prevent problem behaviors in very young children from reaching a level of severe impairment, as well as increasing children’s readiness for academic success. Additionally, she has also worked as an evaluation consultant for several nonprofit agencies providing services for children and families in Southern California.