Why Psychology?
Growing up I always felt and recognized the impact people had on me and others. My father was an engineer, and my uncle and grandfather were teachers. Each of their backgrounds influenced by interest in science and people. I felt understanding the reason (Science) behind why we develop the way we do and why we are impacted by others led me to the field of psychology, specifically clinical therapy. As I worked as a therapist over the years I realized, I was teaching people about themselves, how our brain and body navigate experiences and the things I learned within the field of psychology. This is where I realized the enjoyment and power of teaching. This began my journey to become a professor. Whether it was teaching a medical residence, or up and coming therapists, or a parent, I hoped these individuals could learn something that would help them personally and professionally. As I have taught over the years, I recognize that I am passionate about helping others learn and how to use the information they learn in their everyday lives.
Passion for Teaching
One of my favorite aspects of my job is getting to know students and helping them find their passions and talents. As they discover their passions and talents, they begin to find paths to take in their lives that bring enjoyment and success. Another favorite part of my job is getting to see and hear students share their change in perspective on the relevance of psychology. Students initially share they thought psychology was boring or irrelevant but after learning more about psychology they recognize its influence in most aspects of our lives.
I chose to work at Mount Union for the atmosphere and history of competition, success, and perseverance. I have found that the faculty and staff are willing to work hard to help students become successful while encouraging each student to group and develop as a person personally and professionally.
Research
Over the years I have done more research on the impact of a system or family on an individual and how this impacts their mental health and life choices. I use this information often as I work with my students, to help them understand the connection between how our environment plays a part in our mental and emotional health. Recently, I have been able to implement more information into my curricula regarding my recent training and research on the impact of trauma in our lives. I frequently use this information to help stimulate discussion and thought within the classroom, highlighting the impact of trauma as well as the many different types of support/treatment that is available to help someone navigate their trauma as much as they can.
In addition to being a therapist and teacher, I have been a coach for, basketball, baseball, and hockey. That has allowed more thought and conversation with the coaches and student-athletes at Mount Union. Mount Union has a tradition for excellence in competition and sport and I have begun to do more work and research on the challenges student-athletes face and the need for new and appropriate support. This has led to having the opportunity to partner with coaches and faculty to develop more hands-on support to the students. Currently, I am piloting a wellness group with Dr. Torok-Gerard as a way to provide more information and support for students within and outside of the classroom.
Unique Campus, Unique Program
One thing that makes a Mount Union education from others, is students are given opportunity to develop skills unique to their major from faculty and staff who care about each student and are willing to help each student achieve their future goals. Students can develop relationship with faculty and staff that can last long after graduation due to the faculty and staff who want all the students to succeed.
Our program provides three unique tracks for a student in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Family Sciences and Human Development. These tracks provide a student with the opportunity to gain insight and expertise from the many different and talented faculty within our department. I am one of the clinical members of the faculty from our department and get the opportunity to teach students through many hands-on experiences. We use many experiential techniques that can range from using our clinical labs for role-plays or simulated experiences that allow the students to experience what it is like to work as a clinical counselor or psychologist. Our program provides a space for students to engage in these experiences that many undergraduate students would not get. A unique aspect that is being utilized in our experiences is using technology through virtual reality platforms. These experiences allow students to get simulated experiences that they may experience and encounter when they work out in the psychology fields. This is just one of the many aspects that make our program unique here at Mount Union.