Education
- Ph.D. 2017 – Virginia Tech, Human Development (Concentration: MFT)
- M.A. 2013 – Hofstra University, Marriage & Family Therapy
- B.A. 2006 – Indiana University, Gender Studies
Areas of Expertise
- Couple & Family Therapy
- Human Sexuality & Sex Therapy
- Online Dating & Behavior
- Family Systems Theories
Background
Prior to joining the faculty in 2019, Riger taught in marriage and family therapy (MFT) graduate programs and worked as a consultant in the anti-money laundering (AML) field.
Currently, Riger teaches in the Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) undergraduate program and the School Counseling program in the School of Education. She received her master’s and doctoral degrees in MFT and uses her clinical background to help students make practical connections between course content and direct work with individuals, couples, and families.
Riger also serves as the Faculty Fellow for Generative AI with UNC-Chapel Hill’s Center for Faculty Excellence.
Research
Riger’s research has primarily focused on the role that technology plays in couples and families’ lives. She has explored the effects of technology on romantic relationships, technology-assisted interventions used by MFTs, and teletherapy for couples and families. Her current research focuses on online dating/dating apps and factors that influence stigma-based behaviors.
- EDUC 501, Adolescent and Adulthood Development: A Cross-Cultural
- EDUC 375, Identity and Sexuality
- EDUC 181, Introduction to Human Development and Family Science
- EDUC 605, Family Systems and Policy
- EDUC 698, Internship in Human Development and Family Science
- EDUC 790, Special Topics in Education – Graduate
- EDUC 862, Teaching and Personnel Development
- EDUC 865, College Teaching Internship
- EDUC 827, Human Development
- Chapman Family Teaching Award, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (2025).
- Teaching Excellence Award, UNC School of Education. (November 2022).
- Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Award, Virginia Tech Graduate School. (2016).
- “Thank a Teacher” Program, Center for Instructional Development, Virginia Tech. (2015).
- National Council on Family Relations. (2013 – 2023).
- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. (2009 – 2023).
Journal Article
Meier, C., Riger, D., & Heather, M. (2021). It’s splendid once you grow into it:” Client experiences of relational teletherapy in the era of COVID‐19. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(2), 304–319. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12508
Piercy, F. P., Earl, R. M., Aldrich, R. K., Nguyen, H. N., Steelman, S. M., Haugen, E., Riger, D., Tsokodayi, R. T., West, J., Keskin, Y., & Gary, E. (2016). Most and Least Meaningful Learning Experiences in Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42(4), 584–598. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12176
Book Chapter
Mills-Koonce, W. R., Bracy, M., Frederick, H., Hall, W., Lippold, M., & Riger, D. (2023). Sexual orientation: LGBTQ adolescent health and well-being. In Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Health. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818872-9.00179-5
Book Review
Riger, D. (2025). Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning. Impact: The Journal of the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning, 14(2). Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning at Boston University College of General Studies. https://impact.scholasticahq.com/article/146263-book-review-_teaching-with-ai-a-practical-guide-to-a-new-era-of-human-learning_
Conference Proceeding
Stewart, M., Boehm, E., Riger, D., Shearer, K., & Henshaw, B. (2025). Leveraging faculty expertise to meet emerging needs: Creating a faculty fellowship program. UNC System Learning and Technology Journal, 3. https://journals.charlotte.edu/ltj/article/view/1948
University
- Committee Member, Committee on Fixed-Term Faculty. (2026 – 2029).
- Library AI Studio Advisor, UNC Libraries. (March 2026 – 2028).
- Committee Member, University Teaching Awards Committee. (2025 – 2027).
- Faculty Advisor, Glow Through Sports at UNC-Chapel Hill. (2023 – 2027).
- Faculty Advisor, Artful Minds at UNC-Chapel Hill. (2024 – 2026).
- Chair, SOE Teaching Excellence Awards Committee. (2023 – 2026).
- Committee Member, Provost’s AI Committee. (2023 – 2026).
- Clinical Faculty Representative, SOE Faculty Executive Committee. (2022 – 2025).
- Board Member, Carolina Union. (2021 – 2022).
- Faculty Advisor, Happy Kids Healthy Kids. (2020 – 2022).