
Psychology Teaching Assistants
PSYC 441: Theory and Practice of Academic Psychology explores pedagogical techniques that are supported as effective for teaching psychology in the college classroom. The course also focuses on career development, preparation for graduate school, and professional responsibilities in academia. As an experiential component, students in the class serve as teaching assistants for the mass-enrollment PSYC 100: Introduction to Psychology course. In this role, they practice presenting course content, plan and facilitate review sessions, and hold a weekly student consultation hour to support the Intro Psych students' success.
Anna Deitrick
Major: Psychology Minor: Health Communication
Hometown: Millville, PA
Career Goal: I would like to get a master's degree in social work in order to become a licensed clinical social worker.
What you enjoy about psychology: I really enjoy the fascinating nature of psychology, and how the concepts you learn about social behavior can be applied to and noticed in your life.
What you enjoy about BU: You can tell that the professors at Commonwealth Bloomsburg truly care about teaching and the students. Most professors are very nice and will help guide you through your time here.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: To follow your gut when it comes to deciding what career you want to invest your time in. It is okay to switch majors, especially when you are early on in your education. Pick a major that you will be happy in and enjoy!
Gwen Hettinger
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Reading, PA
Career Goal: To get a PhD in Psychology and become a Clinical Psychologist
What you enjoy about psychology: I enjoy the study of the human mind and how every individual has unique experiences that shape their actions, thoughts, and feelings.
What you enjoy about BU: I enjoy that BU offers programs that allow students to get involved with their personal intrests. I was able to get involved with psychological research exploring the neurophamacology of relapse! I also enjoy how our campus looks during every season, its beautiful!
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: If you need help with ANYTHING, ask! Your professors want to see you thrive academically, physically, and mentally.
Shelbie Krumlaw
Major: Psychology Minors: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Communication Studies
Hometown: Ashland, OH
Career Goal: Attend graduate school for social psychology or behavioral psychology, and later become a university professor.
What you enjoy about psychology: The real-life applications of what we learn in class. Learning something from a lecture and/or from a reading, and then seeing it play out in your daily life is such a fun and interesting experience!
What you enjoy about BU: I enjoy that it has both a small town atmosphere with a strong sense of community, along with great opportunities and resources that often come with larger universities! And of course, the campus is beautiful, especially in the fallseason!
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: Consider studying abroad! The programs offered here at Bloomsburg help make it as painless and affordable as possible, and if you are thinking it may be something you want to do before or after graduation, now is definitly the time to do it!
Mike Liles
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Hatboro, PA
Career Goal: Persue behavioral neuroscience to research treatments for neurodegerative diseases.
What do you enjoy about psychology: I enjoy learning about the anatomy and physiology of the brain, and how it affects our behaviors.
What you enjoy about BU: I appreciate the tight knit community of students and faculty that Bloomsburg offers.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: Give yourself time to explore everything Bloomsburg has to offer. If there are any clubs, activites, or classes that pique your intrest, do the most you can to get involved.
Karissa Martin
Major: Psychology
Minor: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Hershey, PA
Career Goal: Prison psychology
What do you enjoy about psychology: I enjoy being able to learn so many different aspects of psychology. I love all the different subsections, like social psychology and behavior modifications, because they create such a diverse field.
What you enjoy about BU: The community between students and professors and how easy it is to form connections.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: Take advantage of every resource, including TAs, advisors, professors, career fairs, and clubs.
Kiara McGonigal (KJ)
Major: Psychology Minor: Child Life
Hometown: Lock Haven, PA
Career Goal: Child Life Specialist at a children's hospital
What do you enjoy about psychology: My favorite thing about psychology is learning about how our brains work.
What you enjoy about BU: The friendships I have made with the people here.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: I would suggest that new students find professors that match and understand your learning preferences. Everyone learns differently! Believe in yourself and your abilities!
Nick Nagle
Major: Psychology
Minor: Health Communications and Gender Studies
Hometown: Schuylkill Haven, PA and Centreville, VA
Career Goal: Clinical psychologist (specifically a sex, gender, and relationship therapist) and college profesor.
What you enjoy about psychology: Psychology is the one field that exists that I believe paves the road to truly understanding any and all individuals. There is always something new to learn, anb there are endless pathways in terms of research, subfields of study, and careers. Psychology is the tool we can utilize to make our society and the world around us a better place.
What you enjoy about BU: CU-Bloomsburg is the fifth college I have attended during my undergraduate journey. I have never felt at home at college until I transferred to Bloomsburg. I have met many inspiring people, both in peers and faculty. I will miss the campus and the close relationships I have built once I graduate and move onto graduate school.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: My advice to new students would be to attend your classes consistently and ask questions inside and outside of class, even if you are afraid or anxious to. Take meaningful risks; you may be surprised where they lead. Invest in a planner to better manage your time daily and weekly. Try your best, even when life starts kicking you down; reach out to others for support. Be patient with your failures and be proud of your success. Tune out the noise of those who try to steal your motivation and energy.
Gianna Pucco
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
Hometown: Lewisburg, PA
Career Goal: School Counseling
What you enjoy about psychology: I enjoy being able to learn more about the human brain and why people think, act, and behave the way they do.
What you enjoy about BU: Being a student at CU-Bloomsburg has been a great experience making long lasting friendships aswell as being able to further my education in Psychology so that I can pursue school counseling.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: A piece of advice that I would give to new students would be to learn how to manage your time wisely. Procrastinating will end up making you feel more stressed in the long run, so figure out a schedule that works for you and stick to it.
Joclynn Ramsey
Major: Psychology
Minor: Music (Clarinet)
Hometown: Roaring Spring, PA
Career Goal: I want to attend Graduate School for Clinical Mental Health Counseling
What you enjoy about psychology: How applicable everthing learned in my psychology courses is in my daily life. Everything that you experience can be explained in terms of biological and psychological states, and I think it's super intriguing to think about.
What you enjoy about BU: The area beyond campus; you get to enjoy the suburban feel of the town but also have fairly easy access to bigger cities nearby.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: My best advice is to be yourself from the begining. Don't be afraid to ask questions, propose ideas, and share the parts of yourself that make you who you are.
Parker Smith
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Danville, PA
Career Goal: I would like to get my masters in school counseling, to eventually become a guidance counselor.
What you enjoy about psychology: I enjoy learning about why we do what we do, and breaking it down to understand.
What you enjoy about BU: Bloomsburg has become my home in many different ways. Even though I'm from a neighboring town, it still feels like a home away from home. The people I've met here have left an amazing impact on my life.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: My advice for new students would be to attend classes, even if attendance doesn't count. Attendance is so important because professors will expand on topics, which will help you on assignments and even exams.
Hugh Soltau
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Queens, NY; so if you're ever going, let me know if you need spots to check out!
Career Goal: My career goal is to become a Psychiatrist in California.
What you enjoy about psychology: The fact that everyone in this department is super understanding and always available to give you help/support.
What you enjoy about BU: I love the community here at CU-Bloomsburg; it's something you can't really find in a lot of places.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: Definitley take advantage of Psychology TA's office hours, they want to help!
Nicole Stoudt
Major: Psychology and Social Work
Hometown: Gilbertsville, PA
Career Goal: Use my knowledge of psychology and social work to advocate for policy changes which will better support individuals.
What you enjoy about psychology: I find it interesting to make connections between human behaviors and biology.
What you enjoy about BU: I love the faculty and staff, I feel very well taken care of as a student at CU-Bloomsburg.
If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give yourself as a student new to Bloomsburg?: Take it one day at a time, you will get through the semester.