2015 UW-La Crosse Psychology Newsletter
In this Issue‌.
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2014 Undergraduate Student Recognition of Excellence Awards
Kathleen “Katie” Kubisiak - Katie graduated in May 2014 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She was a member of the Pre-Occupational Therapy Club, Psi Chi, and Psychology Club. Her undergraduate research was conducting research and investigating attributions made about students labeled “at-risk” versus “college bound.”
Stacy Fieldler - Stacy majored in Psychology with a minor in Spanish and studied in Alicante, Spain. She was a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology and UWL Advocates for Children. Stacy also worked as a programmer for the Boys and Girls Clubs in the La Crosse area and developed lesson plans and programs.
Amber Schade - Amber graduated in May 2014 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Child and Youth Care. Amber served as UWL Advocates for Children Club, Secretary for UWL Psi Chi Club, member of UWL Autism Speaks U and UWL Eta Phi Alpha Honors Society Club.
Ben Frodl - Ben graduated in May 2014 with a
2014 CLS Graduate Student Recognition of Excellence
B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Child and Youth Care. He was involved in the La Crosse community as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Children’s Museum of La Crosse.
Sarah Jacobson - School Psychology - Sarah pre-
Olivia Hartwick - Olivia graduated in May 2014
Katie Knapp - Katie graduated in May 2014 with
sented her capstone project at the NASP 2014 Annual Convention and participated in an assessment of oral reading fluency in local school districts. In addition to strong academic and community service, Sarah completed a practicum and was hired as an emergency school psychologist. According to Dr. Robert Dixon, Sarah’s “positive disposition, strong academic skills, and adept interpersonal skills...make the type of school psychologist that I am proud to say that UWL had a significant hand in creating.”
a B.S. in Psychology and minored in Child and Youth Care. Katie presented her undergraduate research, “I Think You Did It… Eyewitness Testimony and the Effects of False Memories.” Katie served as President of Psi Chi National Honors Society of Psychology.
“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.” ― Vince Lombardi
with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Child and Youth Care. She was awarded an undergraduate research grant for her project, “Effects of an ‘At-Risk’ Label on the Attribution of Student Behavior.” She served as President of the UWL Student Athlete Advisory Committee and served as Senator on the UWL Student Association.
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UW-La Crosse Communication/CLS Excellence Program
2015 Undergraduate Student Recognition of Excellence Awards
2015 CLS Graduate Student Academic Award Kyra Halverson - School Psychology Kyra was a second year graduate student in School Psychology; she begins her internship this fall. Kyra’s faculty describe her as an “exceptional student” who often goes “above and beyond the core expectations” of a class. In Addition to attaining a 3.96 GPA across four semesters, Kyra has completed 850+ hours in her practicum, has independently conducted research, and present her research results at the National Association of School Psychologist’s annual Convention. Dr. Rob Dixon states that Kyra has emerged as a leader with strong interpersonal skills who is timely and who takes initiative to assist faculty with projects such as assisting with assessment competency eval-
Eric Barreau - Eric graduated in May 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a PreProfessional track in Physical Therapy. During the summer of 2014 Eric studied abnormal psychology and women’s health studies abroad at the National University of Ireland in Galway. Eric held the high office of Psi Chi International Honors Society Secretary for the 2014-2015 academic year. Eric’s research focused on the potential relationship between selfcontrol, mindfulness mediation and eating.
Alyssa Dorosz - Alyssa double majored in Psychology and Spanish, and minored in At-Risk Child and Youth Care. Alyssa was very active on UWL’s campus by participating in Spanish Club, Colleges Against Cancer, Students Protecting the Environment and Intercultural Organization Promoting Awareness. She is a McNair Scholar who is hoping to attend graduate school.
2015 CLS Graduate Recognition of Excellence Award
Sarah Jaech - Sarah received her Bachelor’s degree in
Evan Pagel - School Psychology - Evan is pur-
May 2015. During her time at UWL she gained experience in research and teaching with the Psychology Department. Sarah worked as the Student Athletics Facility Manager at UWL, she interned for the State Public Defender’s Office assisting with witness interviews and evaluations. Sarah has also used her knowledge as a lab manager for faculty research, teaching assistant, tutor for Intro to Psych and is a part of the Psychology Honors program.
suing his Education Specialist graduate degree in School Psychology. In May 2014, he received his Master of Science in Education in School Psychology. Evan served as an advisor for the Upward Bound Program and Disability Resource Services at UWL. He completed a graduate student practicum at Westby School District. Pagel is the Treasurer of the School Psychology Student Society. He presented his research, “Glass Half Full: Impact of Optimism on Student Academic Achievement” at the National Association of School Psychologist’s 2015 spring conference.
Molly Monaghan - Molly received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Coaching and Competitive Athletics concentration in May 2015. She studied abroad at the National University of Ireland in Galway, presented various publications and studies as well as gained research and teaching experience. Her research project was titled, “Adherence to Exercise and Satisfaction of Three Basic Psychology Needs in the Elderly Population.”
Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.— Conrad Hilton
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UW-La Crosse Communication/CLS Excellence Program
Anne Riddle - Anne received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in May 2015. During her time at UWL she also studied Interpersonal Communication. She served as a tutor at UWL’s Writing Center focusing on interpersonal communication. Anne completed a teaching apprenticeship in Social Psychology. Anne interned as an advocate for Bluff Country Family Resources. In her spare time she served as President for the Psi Chi Club.
Dr. Ryan McKelley has been teaching courses in psychopathology and health psychology at UWL since fall 2008. His courses are in high demand and students say McKelley is “one of the best instructors they have ever had” and he is well organized, makes classes interactive, is approachable and accessible, and uses excellent real-life examples. He has also been described as knowledgeable, flexible, helpful and funny. In addition to his outstanding work as an instructor in the classroom, McKelley mentors independent student research, has served on numerous graduate student thesis committees, and supervises undergraduate research projects, including projects through Psychology Honors Program and the McNair Scholars. Betsy Morgan, past chair of Psychology states, “Overall, Ryan can easily be described as an extraordinary teacher.”
Lindsey Voss - Lindsey graduated in May 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in At-Risk Child and Youth Care. She has served as a volunteer and as an intern for the at-risk youth programming and development at Gundersen Health System, the YMCA, and Upward Bound. She was a member of UWL’s Psi Chi Honor Society.
Emma Winske - Emma received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in May 2015. During her time at UWL she worked with assisting mentally and physically disabled individuals at Riverfront Inc., was a research assistant for environmental psychology and did precollege tutoring for elementary school students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
2015 Classified Staff Recognition of Excellence Award Academic Department Associate Sheri Craig is described by her department faculty as a “selfstarter” with “exemplary work skills” and someone whose “interpersonal skills are top notch.” With the most majors in the college, the Psychology Department office is very busy. Sheri responds to the needs of 30 instructors, the advising office, a graduate program and students from across campus. As the past department chair, Betsy Morgan, said “Rarely is there a person with outstanding skills in so many areas that aid in the functioning and well-being of so many others.” 4
UW-La Crosse Communication/CLS Excellence Program
Sample Psychology Faculty Publications 2013-2015 Deboer, B. V., von der Luft, G. (2013). In Merrick, J., Aspler, S., Morad, M. (Ed.), Updates in selfconcept, self-esteem and self-worth in children with health conditions in Disability and chronic disease (vol. 1, pp. 245-258). New York, New York: Nova Science. (Accepted: August 2013, Published: 2013). Deason, G., Greenlee, J. S., Langner, C. (2014). Mothers on the campaign trail: Implications of politicized motherhood for women in politics. Politics, Groups, and Identities. Marshik, T., Kortenkamp, K., Cerbin, W. J., Dixon, R. J. Understanding and Enhancing Students' Motivation: A Lesson Study Approach. To appear in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology. Dixon, R. J. (2015). Bringing the Triangle to Life: Teaching RtI Practices to School Psychologists. Trainer's Forum: Journal of the Trainers of School Psychologists, 33(1), 72-86. Silberglitt, B., Hyson, D. (2015). In Harrison, P., Thomas, A. (Ed.), Best Practices in Using Technology for Data-Driven Decision Making in Legal, Ethical and Professional Practice (pp. 489-502). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists. Kortenkamp, K., Moore, C. F. (2014). Ethics under uncertainty: The morality and appropriateness of utilitarianism when outcomes are uncertain. American Journal of Psychology, 127(3), 367-382. McKelley, R., Rochlen, A. B. (2015). In Wong, J., Wester, S. (Ed.), Furthering Fathering: What We Know and What We Need to Know in American Psychological Association Handbooks in Psychology Series (vol. 1, pp. 58). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. (Submitted: January 31, 2014, Accepted: April 2014, Published: July (3rd Quarter/Summer) 2015). https:// www.apa.org/pubs/books/4311518.aspx Horn, T. S., Newton, J. (2014). Self-Worth and Measures of Body Image (pp. 5813-5818). Dordrecht: Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Quartiroli, A., Maeda, H. (2014). Sedentary and Active Behaviors: Self-determined motives for engagement among U.S. college students. International Journal of Exercise Science. (Published: 2014). Rozek, E., Smith, E. K., Keith, M. D. (2014). Creating SPOTs for Successful Aging: Strengthening the Case for Developing University-Based Retirement Communities Using Social-Physical Place Over Time Theory. Journal of Housing For the Elderly, 28(1), 21-40.
Sim, J., Goyle, A., McKedy, W., Eidelman, S., Correll, J. (2014). How social identity shapes the working self-concept: The role of psychological utility. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 55 (November 2014), 271-277. Bolkan, C., Srinivasan, E., Dewar, A., Schubel, S. (2014). Learning through loss: Implementing lossography narratives in death education. To appear in Gerontology and Geriatrics Education Tobin, C. Sexuality and Sexual Behavior. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio publishers (Greenwood/ Praeger). Book chapter to appear in “Social Psychology: How Other People Influence Our Thoughts and Actions�
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UWL University Communications
UW-L Interns help launch Gundersen Child program UW-La Crosse students have teamed up with a Gundersen Health System family therapist to help build stronger families in the La Crosse community. A total of 18 student interns volunteer to develop and lead child programming that happens alongside parent programs offered through Gundersen. The college students provide not only childcare, but also non-violent, non-competitive games and activities centered around themes such as emotion recognition and regulation, kindness, friendship and problem solving. Jeff Reiland, UW-L adjunct professor of psychology and child and family therapist at Gundersen, recruited the students from various UW-L programs to help him with a growing struggle he sees among area families. Parenting was never simple, he says, but new technology has made the job even more difficult. “Parents, more than ever, struggle with how to relate to children because there are so many more distractions,” he explains. “Families are increasingly plugged in, but disconnected from each other.” Reiland has devoted much of his 28-year career to teaching parents strategies with their kids. In fall 2012 he launched Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) for parents whose children have diagnoses such as ADHD or Oppositional Defiant Disorder who are struggling with behavioral or emotional difficulties. However, Reiland was disappointed when many of the parents had to drop out because they had no childcare during program hours. That’s when he decided to recruit UW-L student volunteers who would join him on the quest to build better families. Parent programs wouldn’t be possible without the UW-L student help, says Reiland. “Parents wouldn’t come. They couldn’t afford to come,” he says. “These students have helped eliminate the biggest barrier to parent education.” Reiland says his parent programs started with the goal of improving community health. When cumulative bad things happen in childhood such as divorce, violence, addiction, child maltreatment or neglect, kids can develop significant health problems later in life such as cancer or diabetes, studies have shown.
“Together Against Bullying” By UW-L student Bree Levine UW-La Crosse students and faculty teamed up with Gundersen Health System to launch a website dedicated to helping families and schools stop the bullying epidemic. Jeff Reiland, UW-L Psychology Department lecturer and family therapist at Gundersen, created the site, “Together Against Bullying,” with the help of a $62,000 grant from Kohl’s Cares. He enlisted four undergraduate interns to help him: UW-L students Alycia Brun and Corina Colon, along with UW-L recent graduates Karli Dahl and Caitlin Cullen. “We truly, and most deeply enjoy the work that we do for this website,” says Colon, a UW-L senior. “Bullying is a heartbreaking occurrence. I am so happy to be a part of the possible prevention of some of these experiences.” Reiland created the website because he wanted to learn more about bullying. As a childhood and family therapist, he’s seen many children come into his office with depression and anxiety issues because they are being bullied at school or at home.
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UW-La Crosse Communication
“Ted Job Talks” by Psychology Faculty Members “Unmasking Masculinity—Helping Boys Become Connected Men” Dr. Ryan McKelley, shared an early experiment from the 13th century where infants were denied social interaction. The nature of the study was to find out what language would naturally develop without influence from a caregiver. However, the study failed because all of the infants died.
Study after study has shown that social isolation is a risk factor for development of disease. It highlights the importance of social connection for mental and physical health, yet the stereotype is that men are less capable of emotional connection than women, notes McKelley. McKelley suggests otherwise. Studies show when men's physiological responses to emotional stimuli are measured, their internal experience is similar to that of women. McKelley wants men to do away with the mask. Sometimes emotional restriction is necessary, but it doesn't need to be the default mode, he says. He challenges men to eliminate phrases like "man up" or "stop acting like a girl." They should understand that opening up and being vulnerable is courageous. Taking small risks to open up will give them a broader experience of all of their emotions and allow them to make deeper connections.
“Don’t Believe Everything You Think: What the Myth of Learning Styles Teaches Us about the Importance of Critical Self-Reflection” Presented by Dr. Tesia Marshik The belief in learning styles is so widespread and prominent to the point it is considered to be common sense. Few people ever think to challenge this belief, which has been deeply ingrained in our educational system. Teachers are routinely told that, in order to be effective educators, they must identify and cater to individual students' learning styles, and it is estimated that around 90% of students believe that they have a specific learning style but, research suggests that learning styles don't actually exist! See in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=855Now8h5Rs
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UW-La Crosse Communication Reprinted in part from Campus Connection
Reprinted from the UW-La Crosse Lantern Summer 2013 9
2014-15 Undergraduate Research Grant Projects Student(s) Laura Como &
Topic/Title
Faculty Advisor
Evoking stereotypes based on race and gender
Grace Deason
Katie Majerus & Katie Knapp
I think you did it‌: Eyewitness testimony and the effects of false memories
Bianca Basten
Ann Zedginidze & Amber Schade
Muscles and media: How video games affect male selfperception and body image
Ryan McKelley
Olivia Hartwick & Kathleen Kubisiak
Effects of at-risk label on attributions of student behavior
Tesia Marshik
Jenna Halverson & Chloe Peebles
Warning students about test difficulty: Effects on selfefficacy and performances
Katy Kortenkamp
Phyllis Hand
Rethinking Debbie Downer: Assessment of Risk for Depression as a Clinical Diagnosis versus Real-World Expression of Symptoms
Ryan McKelley (McNair Scholar Program)
Rachel Gruen
Reducing Risks of Alcohol Consumption Consequences Among Students Studying Abroad
Ryan McKelley
Carla Weber
2013-14 Scholarship Winners Psychology Alumni Scholarship
Kendall Doersch
Donna Hansen Scholarship
Alayna Stein
Thomas Harris Scholarship
Sarah Jaech
Alan C. Howe Memorial Scholarship
Amanda De Cora
John & Ardus Cleveland Scholarship
Katy Coon lcfasd.com
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2015-16 Undergraduate Research Grant Projects Student(s)
Faculty
Topic/Title
Advisor
Jack Flinchum & Cienna Hopkins
Two cans short of six-pack abs: The influence of progress in physical activity goals on happiness.
Ale Quartiroli
Sarah Sorenson
On or Off the Clock: The influence of Occupational Pres-
Katy Kortenkamp
Megan Engelhardt & Arianna Abel
"Out With the Old, In With the New?": How Discipline Techniques and Attitudes Differ by Maternal Age
Tesia Marshik
Kendall Doersch
No Pain, No Gain: The Influence of Gender Conformity
Ryan McKelley
Katelin Traffie & Alayna Stein
Competence in Writing for ESL and Native Speakers: The Impact of Motivation, Goal Orientation and Mindsets
Jessica Sim
Identity under attack: Threatened masculinity’s effect on gender-related attitudes
Casey Tobin
Madalyn Melbye
The influence of chronic vs. acute stress on utilitarian moral judgment
Ellen Rozek
Kathleen Hetzel
How Behavioral Disability Labels Influence Perceptions of Aggression
Bianca Basten
Tanner Taylor
“Attitude is a
2014-15 Scholarship Winners
little thing Psychology Alumni Scholarship
Kimberly Gaul
a big
Donna Hansen Scholarship
Sarah Sorenson
difference.” -
Thomas Harris Scholarship
Christy Lambert
Alan C. Howe Memorial Scholarship
Amanda Pavlicek
John & Ardus Cleveland Scholarship
Alyssa Dorosz
that makes
Winston Churchill
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New Faculty 2014
Dr. Berna Gerçek-Swing obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology in Turkey. During her masters studies, she developed interest in cross-cultural psychology. Gerçek-Swing completed her Ph.D. in Social Psychology working wıth Dr. Susan Cross at Iowa State University. Her research interests include comparison of honor and dignity cultures and related self-processes. She is teaching Cross-Cultural Psychology and Social Psychology courses at UW-L.
Dr. Dan Hyson joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in August 2014. He completed the joint doctoral program in child and school psychology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2001. For the next six years, he worked as a practicing school psychologist in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (MN) Schools. Between July 2007 and June 2014, he then served as a Response to Intervention and data coach for the Hiawatha Valley Education District, a cooperative of 14 school districts, three charter schools and two alternative schools in southeastern Minnesota. Dr. Hyson is licensed as a school psychologist in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to being the Minnesota Delegate to the National Association of School Psychologists, Dr. Hyson also remains active in the Minnesota School Psychologists Association, having served in the past as MSPA President and state newsletter editor and currently filling the role of Regional Coordinator. His course load is primarily with the School Psychology Program. His research addresses teacher-student relationships, systems consultation, and technology and data-driven decision making.
Dr. Jessica Sim joined the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department in Fall 2014. She received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Chicago and, more recently, was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Organisational Behavior at the INSEAD business school in Singapore. Sim teaches Group Dynamics (PSY 343), IndustrialOrganizational Psychology (PSY 376), and Social Psychology (PSY 241). When she is not teaching, she does research on the positive and negative consequences of group identification and examines ways to get students more involved in research and scholarship. Dr. Sim currently resides in La Crosse with her fiancé (Marc) and puppy (Hashbrown).
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Dr. Marc Kayson is originally from Santa Clara, CA. Being a part of a military family, his family moved a lot. The most memorable stop was living in Germany for 6 years where he attended German schools. Kayson did his doctoral work in Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri, which is where he met his partner. They lived in the Denver area for a few years before returning to Columbia, Missouri again for the past 5 years. His partner is from La Crosse and they moved to the area to be closer to her family. He has a 6 year-old (Oliver) and a 4 year-old (Elsa) who are very happy to be living near most of their 19 first cousins. Skiing is big in his family, so they are looking forward to visiting Mt La Crosse this winter. Marc has been enjoying learning the hiking and biking trails on the bluff and would love suggestions of other places to enjoy outdoors in the surrounding area.
2015 New Faculty Dr. Eric Hiris joins the UW-L Psychology Department in Fall 2015. Dr. Hiris completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Statistics at Oakland University in 1990. His Master’s and Ph.D. in Psychology were completed at Vanderbilt University in 1992 and 1995. He has held positions previously at St. Mary's College of Maryland and University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Hiris’s teaches courses in Cognition, Perception, Research Methods, Statistics, and Critical Thinking. His research focuses on biological motion perception and visual illusions. In his spare time, Dr. Hiris spends time outdoors (particularly bicycling), collects and refurbishes victrolas, and spends time with his wife and three cats.
Dr. Niwako Sugimura started studying psychology at the University of Tokyo as an undergraduate, where she became fascinated with personality and individual differences in the ways people deal with stress. For her graduate training, she wished to study the pathways to well-being and maladjustment in individuals. As a master’s student at the University of Chicago, Niwako studied primarily clinical psychology, with a focus on children. Sugimura received a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, with a focus on developmental psychopathology. She is particularly interested in the relations among children’s temperament, peer relationships, coping, and emotional and behavioral adjustment. Dr. Sugimura will be teaching Developmental Psychology and the School Aged Child in the coming fall.
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Psychology Department, Faculty & Staff News
Emily Johnson - Emily Johnson joined the faculty of UW-L’s Psychology Department as an
www.clipartpanda.com
instructor in 1990 making this her 25th year of service. She became a ranked faculty member in 1997. Prior to earning her doctorate in Child and Family Studies from University of WisconsinMadison she had experience in both Head Start and as an elementary school teacher. She holds a Master’s in Education from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities after obtaining a bachelor’s degree from UW-Stevens Point. A tireless advocate for student learning, she is known for “tinkering” with her classes every semester and was in her office until midnight THIS semester making changes to her syllabi. Emily has prepped and taught over 15 courses while at UW-L. Of particular note is Emily’s career-long devotion to high quality advising. She was the main innovator in the Psychology Department behind a course on the major, an online tutorial, the psychology advising center, and training new faculty to be good developmental advisors. Emily’s service to the university is both wide and deep. She served as the chair of the Psychology Department, several faculty senate committees, and, as noted, the director of general education. In recent years, Emily led a study tour to India and has devoted considerable service to UW-L’s committee on international education. Emily is an avid reader and an animal lover. Her husband, Barry and son Kai are proud supporters of her career and achievements. The department will remember Emily in her office with a student, an Advisement Report on a computer screen and a discussion of the student’s life goals as the sound track for the scene.
Carol Oyster - Carol K. Oyster moved to La Crosse with her daughter and joined the faculty of UW-L’s Psychology Department in 1989. She holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from LoyolaMarymount University in Los Angeles, and master’s and doctoral degrees in social psychology from the University of Delaware. Since 2009, Oyster has been UW-L’s director of the Institute for Ethnic and Racial Studies, chair of the Ethnic and Racial Studies (ERS) Department and adviser to the Student Veterans Association. Her work with ERS is associated with the establishment of a department and a growth in both faculty and students. Carol continued to try new ideas and activities in her courses through her last semester. She has prepped over 20 classes while at UW-L. Oyster’s area of scholarly expertise is stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. She has authored two textbooks, one on research design and the other on group dynamics; co-authored a trade book on women, firearms and feminism; and co-edited an award-winning encyclopedia on women in today’s world. Carol’s service to the university is wide and varied but is best captured by her passion and advocacy for Veteran’s issues. In her spare time, Oyster enjoys spending time with her dog and cat, both rescue animals. She also engages in a number of crafts, including knitting, quilting and fabric sculpture. Her daughter Katherine is a physician and a proud supporter of her mother. 14
http://www.uwlax.edu/uploadedFiles/Academics/Colleges _Schools/CLS/2015%20Retiree%20Bios.pdf
Center for Grief and Death Education The academic home of The Center for Grief and Death Education moved from the Sociology Department to the Psychology Department on July 1, 2014. Dr. Rozek and Dr. Srinivasan have undertaken the opportunity of revitalizing the Gerontology Emphasis. For more information regarding the Gerontology emphasis, please see the webpage: http://www.uwlax.edu/gerontology/. MISSION: The Center for Grief and Death Education's mission is to promote a diverse understanding of grief and death that spans the human condition. Utilizing current research, theory, and practice, the Center serves to provide resources to the campus and community regarding grief services and death education. The Center endeavors to connect interested individuals regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Congratulations! Dr. Betsy Morgan is serving as UW-La Crosse’s Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the next two academic years. Chancellor Joe Gow states in a campus-wide email, “Given her previous experience in this complex role and extensive familiarity with our coming HLC reaccreditation process, Dr. Morgan is uniquely qualified to serve in such an important administrative position.” Her department supports her in this exciting opportunity even though she will be missed tremendously.
M O V E D — O
Promoted & Tenured! Dr. Ryan McKelley—Associate Professor Dr. Alex O’Brien—Associate Professor Dr. Katy Kortenkamp—Tenured & Promoted to Associate Professor
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Dr. Bianca Basten—Tenured
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Dr. Jennifer Wang Left the University of Wisconsin— La Crosse in May 2014. She moved closer to home (Washington State) and is now an Assistant Professor at Fairhaven College Western Washington University.
Psych International: Reflections from the Emerald Isle 2014 I had the fortune of returning to Galway, Ireland during Summer 2014 to take a wonderful group of UWL undergraduate students (and my family) on a four-week faculty-led study abroad program to the National University of Ireland-Galway. Twenty-one students from Psychology and several other majors took a class in women’s health from Dr. Keely Rees (Health Education & Promotion), and A bnormal Psychology: International Edition from me. As part of my Abnormal Psychology course, students got to interview Irish nationals about their experiences with mental health issues in Ireland. In addition to their coursework, every Wednesday was a field trip to the surrounding areas where we visited Connemara, the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, and Burren. My wife Molly hold- We also spent a long weekend in Dublin where we visited the Pavee Point Traveller and ing me in the palm of Roma Centre to talk about physical and mental health with members of the Traveller and her hand. Roma cultures. They are stigmatized minority groups within Ireland that have experienced tremendous disadvantages in accessing education, health services, good housing and jobs. Students had the opportunity to attend the Dublin Pride parade that weekend to support some of the members of Pavee Point. Anyone who has studied abroad knows that perhaps the most impactful experiences occur in between classes and homework. Students were free on most weekends to travel, and they got as far as Northern Ireland, London, Spain, and France. In addition to the travels and coursework, we joined the students on hikes along the River Corrib, kickball in the commons area, and Irish dancing lessons in Dublin. The highlight of my trip was getting to experience a lock-in at a pub where we listened to 14 locals aged 18-90 hold a fourhour impromptu jam session singing and playing traditional Irish music. If you are a current student reading this and have not studied abroad, talk with your advisor about possibilities during the summer or winter intersessions. If you are an alumnus, please consider encouraging students to make it part of their undergraduate experience (or better yet, donating to the cause). Dr. Ryan McKelley
Walking the rocky shore of the Burren area Last day on campus before our reluctant departure
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UW-L Psychology Department Dr. Bianca Basten
Cognitive and Experimental
Dr. Tracy Blumentritt
Developmental
Dr. Melanie Cary
Cognitive and Experimental
Lisa Caya
Developmental/Coordinator, At-Risk Child & Youth Care Minor
Dr. Grace Deason
Social
Dr. Betty DeBoer
School Psychology
Dr. Robert Dixon
School Psychology Director
Kathy Elgin
Psychology Advising Coordinator
Dr. Berna Gercek-Swing
Social
Dr. Eric Hiris
Cognitive and Perception
Dr. Dan Hyson
School Psychology
Dr. Marc Kayson
Clinical/Counseling
Dr. Katy Kortenkamp
Cognitive and Experimental
Dr. Jon Marin
Clinical/Counseling
Dr. Tesia Marshik
Developmental
Dr. Ryan McKelley
Chair (2015) Clinical/Counseling
Dr. Betsy Morgan
Chair (2014)/Social /Interim Provost (2015)
Dr. Joci Newton
School Psychology
Dr. Alex O’Brien
Cognitive and Experimental
Dr. Ale Quartiroli
Clinical/Counseling
Dr. Ellen Rozek
Cognitive/Gerontology
Dr. Jessica Sim
Social
Dr. Erica Srinivasan
Developmental/Gerontology
Dr. Niwako Sugimura
Developmental
Dr. V. Suthakaran
Clinical/Counseling
Dr. Casey Tobin
Clinical/Counseling
Dr. Bart VanVoorhis
Cognitive and Experimental
Sheri Craig
Psychology Program Assistant
Teresa Znidarsich
School Psychology Program Assistant
Jennah Bahr
Student Worker 17
How do I donate to Psych at UW-La Crosse?
We have established a fund whereby any interested donors can allocate their money to the sole purpose of supporting student research (such as photocopying) or travel (conference attendance and presentations). If you would like your donation to go to this fund, please mention the “undergraduate research/travel fund” when donating! You can easily make a gift to the fund or the general psychology fund by visiting the Foundation website (www.foundation.uwlax.edu/) or by sending a check payable to the UW-L FoundationPsych Department to:
Contact the University of Wisconsin—La Crosse Psychology Department 335 Graff Main Hall 1725 State Street La Crosse, WI 54601 608-785-8440 (Psychology Department) 608-785-8441 (School Psychology Program) 608-785-8443 (Fax) http://www.uwlax.edu/psychology/ 18