Get Psyched!
Spring 2015
Westfield State University
Department of Psychology Newsletter
Message from
the Chair
12% of our graduates complete their degree
part-time or online through DGCE.
However, the count of our majors does not
adequately reflect the number of students the
psychology department serves. After English
Comp, Introduction to Psychology is the most
frequently enrolled class at WSU, and
psychology is the most often selected Liberal
Studies concentration. Plus, with 200 minors,
psychology is the largest WSU minor (Business
and Sociology a distant second and third).
Hello Friends of WSU
Department of
Psychology. Welcome
to our inaugural
Department of Psychology Newsletter. So many
exciting things are happening in our department
that I had to start a newsletter to share a
sampling of some of them.
My students know I love numbers, so I will start
with some statistics. Our department is one of
the larger departments on campus, with 16 full
time doctoral level psychology professors and
about 18 part-time faculty teaching
undergraduate and graduate classes during the
day, evening, and online.
We also have thriving graduate programs
serving about 85 students working toward a
Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, or
a Master of Arts in Psychology, with
concentrations in Mental Health Counseling,
Forensic Counseling, or Guidance Counseling.
You are surrounded by a lot of great people with
different backgrounds and interests. But even
though our department is large, we want you to
get involved and hope this newsletter will give
you some ideas about what is happening in
your department, and how you can join the fun.
With approximately 450 majors each year, our
department is the fourth largest major at WSU.
In 2015 164 students will earn a Bachelor of
Arts in psychology and about 23% of them are
double majors. We are the most popular double
major after the Liberal Studies-Education
pairing. We also have a thriving continuing
education program. Each year approximately
Lynn M. Shelley, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Psychology
1
Meet Our Front Office Staff
When you enter the psychology department there are a number of
people there to help you.
Linda Hogan-Shea, Department Secretary
I started at Westfield State in 2006 and since 2008 have been the administrative assistant supporting
the faculty and students in the Psychology Department. Being the mother of 2 college students, I
know navigating the system can be challenging. I field questions on just about every subject from,
when does web registration begin to who is the commencement speaker this year? (Brandon
Stanton, Humans of New York.) If I don’t know the answer (which seldom happens), I will make
every effort to get it. The Psych office is a welcoming place where you can stop by with your
questions or to just say hi.
Emily Bovat, Graduate Assistant
Hello, my name is Emily Bovat. I am in my first year of the School Guidance Counseling graduate
program. Although I am only one year in I have already had the opportunity to observe in various
schools and meet great counselors. Working at the front desk in the Psychology department is a
great experience. I get to help students, which is part of my career goal, and I learn about everything
that goes on in the department and all it offers.
Bill Ross, Graduate Assistant
My name is Bill Ross. I am an LMHC graduate assistant. My favorite thing about working in the
Psychology office is getting to know the professors outside the classroom. I also like meeting
students who come into the office. Outside of WSU, I work as an educator, public speaker, and
entertainer. Since 2002 I have had the honor of presenting my program Last Call, a sobering look at
alcohol abuse through New-Vaudeville Theatre, as part of the WSU first year orientation.
Ariana Lopez, Work Study Assistant
My name is Ariana Lopez and I'm currently finishing up my sophomore year and majoring in
Communication with a concentration in media arts and analysis. I hope to one day start my own
production company for television. Working in the front office of the Psychology Department has
given me the opportunity to meet and learn from different professors. I enjoy my position and
everyone I've met has been kind and welcoming. I'm glad I got the opportunity to work in such a
great department here at WSU.
Sarah Stone, Work Study Assistant
My name is Sarah Stone and I am a double major in Psychology and Ethnic and Gender Studies. I
am a Junior and I am a member of the Honors Program, a member of the psychology honor society
Psi Chi, and next year’s president of the Psychology Club. I love working in the front office because I
can interact with students and faculty. If there are any questions or anything you need help with, stop
in and ask. We are more than happy to assist you in any way we can.
2
Name the Empty Head
The Main Psychology office is home to a clear head, which is sometimes
empty, sometimes filled with seasonal decorations, and occasionally
houses a small brain. But the head has no name. We are looking for
submissions from students, faculty, and staff to name the head. Preference
will be given to names related to psychology. You are always welcome to
come by and see the empty head – name suggestions can be dropped
into the “head box” next to the head.
Free Mints! Do they improve test performance?
One time, a while ago, somebody in the psychology department read that sucking mint candies
during an exam improves test performance. So the department started putting mint candies out in the
main psychology office for our students. They were very popular, especially during finals week. But,
do they really improve test performance, or was that just some tidbit of information some reporter
decided to write about without really understanding the scientific method? It appears the latter. If you
search for scholarly articles on the topic you will find a few very well controlled studies that find no
relationship between sucking mint candy and/or smelling the scent of mint, and subsequent cognitive
functioning, memory, or test anxiety. So, the science shows a clear lack of evidence for our promotion
of mint sucking. But that does not deter us! We still have mints out. Why? Senior psychology major
Desiré Rivera suggests the true value of the mints is that they improve interpersonal relations as well
as work via the placebo effect—when students believe they perform better on a test taken while
sucking mints, they really do perform better. Department chair, Lynn Shelly says “We leave the mints
out because we like to see students drop into the main psychology office.” So drop in for a mint, but
be sure to study also.
Psychology, Sociology and Social Work Professional Networking Night
In February The Career Center, Office of Alumni Relations, and the Departments of Psychology,
Sociology and Social Work co-sponsored a Professional Networking Night, where WSU alum or
currently enrolled graduate students spoke with students about their current careers and the paths
they took to get there. Representing careers were Danielle Bolster, Samantha Hague, Laura Mangini,
Sean Regnier, Nicole West, Alexandra Phillips, and Brittany Stacy. WSU psychology students had the
opportunity to learn about diverse career paths for psychology majors.
3
Mark Nickerson Speaks at WSU
Claudia Ciano-Boyce, Ed.D
The WSU speaker series presented Mark Nickerson, a
psychotherapist who wrote a book entitled, The Wounds
Within, on his work with veterans with PTSD. Psychology club
members participated in this important event by graciously
and courageously reading aloud passages from the book
during the talk. Sara Cauley, Dillon Roy, and Molly Delaney.
Each contributed tremendously to this event and represented
the Department of Psychology well.
Journal Club in Evolutionary
Psychology
Interdisciplinary Neuroscience
Journal Club
Eric Bressler, Ph.D.
Robin White, Ph.D.
The Journal Club in Evolutionary Psychology is
comprised of students and faculty interested in
how evolutionary theory can be used to
understand human behavior and experience. We
hold weekly meetings during which members
read and discuss empirical papers pursuing
evolutionary psychological research. This club is
a good opportunity for any students interested in
animal behavior, evolutionary theory, the science
of psychology, and for those who want practice
in learning how to critically examine research.
Contact Dr. Eric Bressler for more information
about the Journal Club in Evolutionary
Psychology (ebressler@westfield.ma.edu).
You have probably read news articles that
discuss exciting new findings in the field of
neuroscience. Have you ever wanted to know
more? If so, then the Interdisciplinary
Neuroscience Journal Club (INJC) is for you!
This year students read and discussed research
featured in the popular press, including a
ground-breaking study by Saul Villeda who came
to WSU to talk on March 16th. He presented his
research about blood and cognition in the
elderly. To join the INJC email list and start
getting scheduling information and links to
resources email Dr. Robin White
(rwhite@westfield.ma.edu).
4
Retirement, Promotions, and A New
Appointment
Retirement
After more than 30 years of service, Dr. Susan Dutch retired from
WSU. We are indebted to Dr. Dutch for her many contributions to
the department, university, and Psi Chi. She leaves a legacy as a
dedicated, conscientious, and caring educator. She also leaves
the foundation of an incredibly strong (and award winning) Psi Chi
chapter, and a department with a curriculum positively impacted by
her expertise.
Tenure & Promotion
Dr. Summer Williams completed her 6th year with us at WSU, and earned tenure effective Fall 2015.
Dr. Williams, a health psychologist, earned her Ph. D. in 2008 from the University of California,
Riverside. She does research in the area of health communication and patient outcomes, such as
patient adherence and patient satisfaction. She teaches Health Psychology, Social Psychology,
Introduction to Psychology, and Capstone and Special Topics courses. She is also the new faculty
advisor for WSU’s chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.
Dr. Joey Reyes joined WSU’s Department of Psychology in 2008. His tenure and promotion became
effective Fall 2014. Dr. Reyes is the director of our Applied Behavior Analysis graduate program. He
earned his Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from the University of Florida.
His primary area of research is in the assessment and treatment of problem behavior. He teaches
Psychology of Learning, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Capstone and Special Topics courses at
both graduate and undergraduate levels.
Dr. Joe Camilleri joined WSU’s Department of Psychology in 2008. His tenure and promotion took
effect Fall 2014. At the graduate level, Dr. Camilleri is the director of our MA program in Forensic
Mental Health Counseling, and at the undergraduate level he teaches Research Methods in
Psychology, Statistics for Psychologists, Forensic Psychology, Psychometrics, and Capstone and
Special Topics courses. He earned his Ph.D. in 2008 from Queen's University in Canada. His primary
area of research is on sexual conflict in relationships and psychopathy.
New Appointment
We welcome Dr. Leo Andrade who just completed his first year at WSU. Prior to joining us Dr.
Andrade was a researcher at University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He earned his Ph. D. in
Behavior Analysis from University of Florida. He does research in the area of impulsivity and
contingency management treatments for substance use disorders. He teaches Psychology of
Learning, Applied Behavior Analysis, Research Methods in Psychology, Capstone and Special Topics
courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
5
psychology club
Sarah Stone, Psychology Club Officer, 2014-2015
Psych Club is made up of a group of students who get together weekly with the goal of promo9ng a be:er understand of the field of psychology. We also want to help each other get the most out of the psychology major at WSU. The club is open to everybody and you can come to as many, or as few, of the mee9ngs as you want. This semester we welcomed Prof. Claudia Ciano-­‐Boyce as our new Club Co-­‐Advisor, who graciously took over as our previous Advisor, Prof. Joe Camilleri, took a much-­‐deserved sabba9cal. One thing we do as a Club is to organize guest speakers who share their research, stories, and advice on planning our career paths. This year we had a drug and alcohol abuse counselor talk with us about her journey and what her job entails. We also were lucky enough to have some professors share with us about their fields of study. For example, Prof. Rebecca Burwell talked with us about counseling and the techniques used behind therapy. Psych Club also hosts an “Advising Night” each semester where professors and students share advice on classes, plans for the next semester, and plans for life aQer college.
We also organize movie nights and trips to various places, including hospitals, correc9on facili9es, and other venues. One extra special trip that we took was in March when we a:ended the Eastern Psychological Associa2on’s annual conference in Philadelphia. Professors Ciano-­‐Boyce and Hayes chaperoned and guided us through the logis9cs of a:ending a large conference. We learned a lot at the conference and especially enjoyed seeing the new research that is being done. As a student I can say this was one of the best trips I have ever been on. It was filled with many funny and wonderful memories I hope to never forget. We also learned a lot about each other and were able to bond and grow closer as a group, which is really a main goal of psych club. Even though we start from different backgrounds, we become a group of friends who get together and talk about things that interest us related to psychology. I hope you’ll join us next semester! 6
Graduate Program News
Applied Behavior Analysis
Mental Health Counseling
Guidance Counseling
Forensic Counseling
Robert Hayes, Ph.D.
Our graduate programs are thriving and each recognized
for its excellence. We offer an M.A. degree in Applied
Behavior Analysis, as well as a M.A. in Psychology with
concentrations in Mental Health Counseling, Forensic
Mental Health Counseling, and/or School Guidance
Counseling.
The Mental Health Counseling program prepares
students with all pre-masters education, practicum and
internship experiences to meet licensure requirements in
the Commonwealth as a mental health counselor (LMHC).
As with other concentrations, students attend class in the evenings (after 4pm), with some summer
session work. The program can be completed in 3 years. For information contact Program Director
Dr. Robert Hayes, rhayes@westfield.ma.edu.
The Forensic Mental Health Counseling program is about to enter its second year and is
currently developing active relationships with forensic-based internship experiences. The program
dually meets the education and experience requirements for a licensed mental health counselor. The
program offers an optional thesis, advantaging students considering eventual doctoral study. Our first
graduates will cross the stage in Spring 2016. For information contact Program Director Dr. Joseph
Camilleri, jcamilleri@westfield.ma.edu.
The School Guidance Counseling program meets
the Massachusetts Department of Education’s requirements
for a credential as Guidance Counselor upon graduation! It
is our only program that entertains applicants on an openenrollment basis. Preference of available seats is given to
students applying by February 1st. For information contact
Program Director Ms. Maria Letasz,
mletasz@westfield.ma.edu.
All M.A. Psychology concentrations will be 60-credit
programs beginning Fall 2015 (pending governance
approval). The expanded program positions mental health
counselors to meet state requirements and guidance counselors to qualify for Professional Status
after 3 years of employment.
An M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis can be completed in two years (full-time) at Westfield
State! The program matches students with practicum placements beginning in the first semester.
Placements are varied and involve working with individuals with developmental disabilities, autism,
within school systems, and in clinical mental health placements. For information contact Program
Director Dr. Jorge Reyes, jreyes@westfield.ma.edu.
7
Students’ Applied Experiences: Practicum,
Internships, and Teaching Assistants
Ricki Kantrowitz, Ph.D.
Before graduation many WSU Psychology students get practical hands
on experience in the field. This allows them to apply what they
learned in classes, network with professionals, and understand what it
is like to work in the real world.
The Psychology Department supports student engagement in applied experiences for course credit.
Many graduates of 2015 completed their capstone requirement by participating in experiences such
as: a six-credit practicum, supervised by Dr. Kantrowitz (23 students); internship, supervised by a
variety of professors (5 students); and teaching assistantships, supervised by Dr. Szpiler (10
students). The demand for practicum has been so great that next year the course will be offered
twice, once in the fall and again in the spring. Students completed placements at a variety of sites,
including: elementary, middle, and high schools in Westfield, Ludlow and Chicopee, the May Institute,
the Westfield Boys and Girls Club, the Probation Department at Westfield District Court, and the
Forum House.
This year was especially exciting for students in Practicum as a career emphasis was included.
Students met with staff from Career Services and attended Career Fairs held on campus. A number
of guest speakers talked about their jobs and career paths. Many of the speakers, discussing such
careers as school psychology, social work, and the Department of Children and Families were
graduates of our own Department of Psychology.
Some things you might not know about
your professors...
•Dr. Ricki Kantrowitz is a Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO)
Representative, World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) at the
United Nations, New York.
•Dr. Lynn Shelley is the Past President, of the Northeastern Educational
Research Association.
• Dr. Rebecca Burwell is a Steering Committee Member for the New England Psychological
Association (NEPA).
• Dr. Janet Gebelt is the Secretary and on the Executive board of the Society for Research on
Identity Formation.
• Dr. Joseph Camilleri: is a Director-at-Large for the Criminal Justice Psychology Section of the
Canadian Psychological Association.
8
Psi Chi News
Summer Williams,
Ph.D.
distributed by Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center.
The Department of Psychology supports a
chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor
Society in Psychology. This organization is a
member of the Association of College Honor
Societies and an affiliate of the American
Psychological Association (APA) and the
American Psychological Society (APS). This
year WSU’s Psi Chi chapter has a new faculty
advisor, Dr. Summer Williams. The year began
by doing an annual holiday service project. Psi
Chi members organized a hygiene drive, led by
President Shelby Smith and collected boxes of
toiletries and hygiene items for Valley
Psychiatric Services, which provides mental
health services for the Pioneer Valley. In
December, Psi Chi members also participated in
the Holiday Mail for Heroes and made over 120
holiday cards for soldiers and their families,
But the highlight of the year occurred on a
snowy weekend in February when the WSU Psi
Chi chapter held its induction ceremony at
which 81 new members were inducted under
the guidance of faculty advisor, Summer
Williams, and with the attendance of friends and
family. Dr. Laurie Simpson was the guest
speaker and talked about the need to be open
to unexpected life pathways. At the conclusion
of her presentation, Dr. Simpson was surprised
when she was awarded the Virginia PowersLagac Memorial Award that honors outstanding
part-time instructors.
It’s been a very successful year and with so
many great new members we anticipate a great
year in 2015-2016.
WSU’s Psi Chi wins the Ruth Hubbard Cousins Chapter
Award
Under the supervision of Dr. Susan Dutch and 2013 and 2015 chapter president Shelby Smith,
Psi Chi won the 2014 Ruth Hubbard Cousins Chapter Award. This is the most prestigious
award given to a Psi Chi chapter, and recognizes the chapter that best achieves Psi Chi’s
mission as a role model for others. This is a significant achievement given that there are more
than 1,000 chapters nationally and internationally. A new plaque is displayed in the
Department of Psychology as a reminder of this honor.
9
Honors and Awards
Lynn Shelley, Ph.D.
Dr. Virginia Powers-Lagac Outstanding Adjunct Award
The Department of Psychology at Westfield State University (WSU) is pleased to announce the 2015
winner of the Dr. Virginia Powers-Lagac Outstanding Adjunct Award. This award was established
in Dr. Powers-Lagac’s memory, to recognize an outstanding part-time professor who is an exemplary
classroom educator, a mentor outside the classroom, and highly committed to the mission of the
University's Department of Psychology. This year’s award recipient was Dr. Laurie Simpson. Dr.
Simpson, a WSU alum, earned an MS in Criminal Justice, and an MA in Psychology with a
concentration in Mental Health Counseling. In November of last year, she completed her Ed.D. in
Educational Leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She is currently the Director of the
Academic Advising Center at WSU and has been with the Center since 1993. Dr. Simpson has been
an adjunct professor for the Department of Psychology since 1992. She teaches both online and inperson classes, such as Introduction to Psychology, Child Development, Adolescent Development,
Educational Psychology, Psychology of Love and the Psychology of Law. It is clear that Dr. Simpson
enjoys working with students and they in turn enjoy her enthusiasm
John Nevins Outstanding Educator
Dr. Robert Hayes won the 2014 DGCE John Nevins
Outstanding Educator Award. Winners of this award are
nominated by students, and then selected by a panel of judges
representing the DGCE student body and WSU administration,
faculty, and staff. The Department of Psychology is the proud
home to several winners of this award. The 2014 winner, Dr.
Drs. Shelley, Simpson, Hayes, and Szpiler Hayes, has worked at Westfield State University since 1997.
He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from George
Washington University in 1995. He conducts research in areas of health psychology and has served
the university in a number of positions, including Dean (DGCE) and Academic Affairs Vice President.
In addition to teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses in the Division of Graduate and
Continuing Education, Dr. Hayes is the chair of the Graduate Committee in Psychology, which
administrates the department’s graduate programs, and the director of its Mental Health Counseling
program. Dr. Hayes says, “I enjoy teaching in DGCE where I work with students who typically are
earning undergraduate degrees in addition to managing very busy personal lives, and I like mentoring
applied mental health clinicians as they enter into the helping field of counseling.”
Affordable Colleges Online
Affordable Colleges Online recently examined hundreds of fully accredited online
programs and Westfield State University was recognized for its outstanding
Online Psychology degree. WSU ranked #22 in the country!
10
Student Awards
Lynn Shelley, Ph.D.
There are many amazing psychology majors – our students
complete independent research, work at internship and
practicum sites, serve as officers in clubs, participate in peer
tutoring, do volunteer work, participate in study abroad, and
work hard in their classes. Some even accomplish this despite
personal struggles such as illness, disabling conditions, financial
burdens, and family obligations. The WSU psychology faculty
are proud of all our hard working and committed students –
and there are a lot.
While a great number of our majors show tremendous diligence
and effort, a handful go above and beyond and serve as an example and inspiration to their peers
and faculty. The department is unable to recognize all outstanding students, but can honor a few. This
year six students earned awards from the Department of Psychology.
Harvey Roazen Award
Kasey Dinsmore is the 2015 winner of the Harvey Roazen Award for academic excellence in
psychology. This award is named after a former psychology professor who was deeply committed to
students of psychology at Westfield State, and it recognizes the student with the highest cumulative
GPA in the Department of Psychology. This year, Kasey Dinsmore is that student. Not only has she
done well academically, she is also well liked by her faculty. Dr. Jack Szpiler says Kasey is “extremely
capable, self motivated, and interpersonal,” and Kasey’s statistics professor, Dr. Linda Albright, says,
“She got it...I mean she really got it--not "just" the math aspect, but the logic of hypothesis testing and
statistical analysis.”
Robert Goodale Award
Eilianie Alvelo is the 2015 winner of the Robert Goodale Award for academic excellence in the
Department of Psychology. This award is named after a former psychology professor who was deeply
committed to continuing education students of psychology at Westfield State, and it recognizes the
continuing education student with the highest cumulative GPA in the Department of Psychology. Dr.
Summer Williams calls Eilianie, “outstanding, extremely hard working, persistent, responsible, and
conscientious.” Similarly, Drs. Stanley Jackson and Robert Hayes called her abilities “excellent,” and
the psychology faculty agree that she is deserving of this honor. "She will return to Westfield State
next fall to pursue a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), with the goal of becoming a Board
Certified Behavior Analyst.
The Harvey Roazen and the Robert Goodale Awards each come with a $200 stipend, and the
students’ names are engraved on brass plates that hang in a display-cases near the Psychology
Department.
11
Student Awards
(continued)
Academic Excellence Awards
Academic Excellence Awards recognize
the outstanding academic
accomplishments of students in
departments throughout the university.
They are given to students who evidenced
academic success as well as a passion
and commitment to the field of psychology.
This year there were four winners. Brian
Farrell, Matthew Kidrick, Jessica Lindsay,
and Beth Teague.
Brian Farrell is passionate about
psychology. During his senior year he
conducted research on personality and
coping under the supervision of Dr. Summer Williams, who called his work, “outstanding.” Dr. Eric
Bressler said, “Give me a class filled with 30 copies of him and you wouldn't have to even pay me to
teach them.” Brian will be attending the University of Maryland where he will pursue graduate study in
the field of clinical psychology, and contribute to the body of research on schizophrenia to promote
clinically based treatments. His longer-term goal is to become a psychology professor. The WSU
psychology faculty have no doubt he can accomplish this goal.
Matthew Kidrick has been an active member of both Psi Chi and the Psychology Club, adopting
leadership roles in both. Dr. Eric Bressler says “He has a curious, sharp mind under a calm,
personable demeanor.” And Dr. Claudia Ciano-Boyce praises his work with the psychology club
pointing out how he energized the club last year and this. The WSU psychology faculty are grateful
for his presence in the department.
Jessica Lindsay, is another student who has gone above and beyond for the Department of
Psychology. Dr. Janet Gebelt says “Jess is a joy to work with! She has tutored for statistics, as well as
other classes, and has been active around campus with service work. In fact, she founded the WSU
chapter of the Convey of Help Club.” During the spring semester Jessica completed an internship at
the May Center School for children with autism and developmental disabilities where she plans to
continue working over the summer and during her graduate studies. The WSU psychology faculty are
thrilled she will be back on campus in the Fall in the Master of Arts Applied Behavior Analysis
program.
Beth Teague was the runner up for the Harvey Roazen Award (her GPA was lower than the winner’s
by only .006. A double major in English and Psychology, Beth has completed significantly more
credits than necessary to earn her degree – so the Department of Psychology sees her as more than
deserving of this award. Dr. Rebecca Burwell supervised her honors thesis, and calls Beth “an
independent, on-task, excellent student!”
12
Minor in Gerontology
Tamara
Smith
This is the first year of a new interdisciplinary Minor in
Gerontology (Departments of Sociology, Psychology and
Movement Sciences). This minor is designed for students
interested in the many facets of the aging process and the
issues facing the elderly today. Gerontology incorporates
the study of the physical, mental, social, and emotional
changes in older adults. Students completing the Minor in
Gerontology will be provided the skills to apply this
knowledge through direct work with the elderly and applied
work with policies and programs on behalf of older
persons. Students will become prepared to specialize in
work with the elderly population in their major field of
study. Career opportunities abound in a diversity of
professional settings, such as community, human services, health-care, long-term care, government
agencies (local, state and federal), retirement communities, business and industry. For more
information contact the Coordinator of the Gerontology Minor, Dr.Tamara Smith
(tsmith@westfield.ma.edu).
Dr. Saul Villeda, the “Vampire Scientist”
Speaks on Campus
Lynn Shelley, Ph.D.
On March 16th, the Department of Psychology co-sponsored a lecture by Dr. Saul Villeda, a scientist
at the University of California San Francisco. Over 200 students, faculty, staff, and community
members came to hear his talk entitled "Vampire Therapy: Young Blood for Old Brains." Dr. Villeda
described his exciting neuroscience research findings of brain rejuvenation from blood. The standing
room only crowd had lots of questions. Dr. Villeda also had lunch with several students, and attended
multiple classes. Dr. Robin White, a WSU professor of biology, did an amazing job of organizing the
event.
13
Get Psyched! The Department of Psychology Newsletter
Our Majors do Great things!
Spring 2015
Brian Farrell, Matt Kidrick, and Nicole Quatrale have
all shared the news that they will be attending
graduate school in the fall. Additionally, we’ve heard
that a few students have received full-time job offers
from their practicum sites.
In the next issue of this newsletter we would like to
include a full description of what you are doing.
Please email the department of psychology or let your
professors know your plans for next year and we will
happily share the news here.
Contact us at: Psychology@westfield.ma.edu
At the time of press, a number of senior psychology
major graduates had made decisions about what they
will be doing next year! For example Vania Hoyte,
Department of Psychology
Wilson Hall Room 105
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA 01086-1630
Please share this newsletter
with friends of the Westfield
State University Department
of Psychology.