Meet Current Students

 

 

 

 

 

Hey! My name is Devin Baker. This is my second year in the doctoral program. I was born and raised in New Jersey and did my undergraduate work at Syracuse University were I majored in psychology and history and was a part of the marching band. I am currently helping out on an article all about intervention scripts and a grant investigating the implementation of the three tiered model across Ohio . I choose UC because of the emphasis its program places on applied experience in the surrounding communities, collaboration, and behaviorism.

Hi, I'm Laura Berry, a first year doctoral student. I grew up in northern Kentucky and studied Spanish and psychology at the University of Kentucky . I chose UC for several reasons, including its location with strong field experiences, the presence of a doctoral program, Ohio 's excellent internship program, and the experienced, engaging, faculty. I was also attracted to the program's themes, such as the emphasis on data-based practice and the ecological/behavioral orientation. I currently tutor in reading and help with research on late elementary math interventions.

Hi! I'm Ginna Gauntner and I'm a second year student in the Ed.S. program. I majored in history at Kenyon College . After undergrad, I spent two years teaching middle school students through an Americorps program in Boston . I came to UC because I was impressed by the emphasis on improving urban schools by supporting students on many different levels. Please contact me if you have any questions.

My name is Libby Hagen. I'm originally from the Cincinnati area but lived in Chicago for six years. There I earned my BS in education and social policy at Northwestern University . I spent several years as an early childhood classroom teacher, both in Chicago and Cincinnati , and then several more years in museum education, eventually working as the director of programming for a children's museum. (Yes, my journey to graduate school was a rather long one!) I had always known that I wanted to return for a graduate degree. When I began my search I was immediately impressed with UC's school psychology program. Its focus on the scientist-practitioner model was a great fit for me as was the emphasis on the use of research and data-based decision-making in applied settings. Now that I'm finishing up my second year of the specialist program, I can say emphatically that UC was a great choice. True to the program's national reputation, the training I'm receiving here at UC is first rate.

Hi there! My name is Jenn Hailley. I'm a first year doctoral student in School Psychology here at U.C. I grew up and attended university in Winnipeg , Canada , where I did my undergrad in psychology. I came to U.C. because I found the atmosphere laid back and friendly, and was drawn by the behavioral nature of the program. I work as a program graduate assistant and have assisted in a classroom behavioral intervention, as well as progress monitoring for reading.

Hi! My name is Erin Hazel. I'm currently in my first year of the specialist program here at UC. I'm originally from the small town of Wakeman in northern Ohio . I attended the Ohio State University for my undergraduate work (Go Bucks!) where I majored in psychology and minored in international economic development. When searching for a graduate program, I was drawn to the University of Cincinnati by the accreditations that the program retains and the amazing staff. Based on the few quarters that I have been a student of the program, I strongly feel that I am being prepared to become a professional, competent, and successful school psychologist.

Hi, my name is Talía Johnson. I am a second year doctoral student. I earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the Ohio State University . I wanted to continue my education at the University of Cincinnati because I felt that the program's philosophy and themes would better allow me to be a child and family advocate. I also appreciate the program's focus on prevention and systems change, as I feel that school psychologists have a pivotal role as change agents for individuals and for the schools that they serve. I am currently completing my practicum experience at a local middle school, and I am excited about having the opportunity to apply all the knowledge I have gained thus far.

My name is Lori Karakashian and I am a first-year Ed.S. student from the metro-Detroit area. I went to Albion College in Michigan and was a psychology major. I was first interested in UC's program because the strong foundation which matched my own values and ideals. During my visit, I felt very we lc ome and comfortable. I knew UC was a place where I would obtain a great education and training while developing lasting relationships.

Hi, my name is Annette Kosmac and I am a fourth year doctoral student. I received my Master's degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2005 and my Bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton in 2003. I choose to attend UC for several reasons. I was excited about the progressive nature of the program and was interested in learning about the current shift in focus for school psychologists. I believed in the program themes, including: using data to make decisions, taking an applied behavioral perspective, and using a systematic problem solving approach. Additionally, I was confident that the applied experiences that I would gain early in the program would be a huge benefit to my professional career. Currently, I am enjoying my internship and beginning to plan for my dissertation. I look forward to working next year and finishing up my doctoral degree. My research interest is in analyzing the effectiveness of academic interventions.

Hello, my name is Shannon McGuire. I am from Deerfield , Illinois (a northern suburb of Chicago ) and my undergraduate degree in psychology is from Albion College in Albion , Michigan . This is my first year in the doctoral program at UC. I chose this program because of its great reputation and the unique opportunities available in an urban setting.

Hello, my name is Chele McKissick. I am a third year doctoral student. Though I am not a Cincinnati native, I have lived here since '94. I completed my undergraduate studies here at UC where I majored in Psychology and was a member of the University Men's and Women's chorus. I am currently a graduate research assistant working with Dr. Lentz on the Ohio State Improvement Grant. My major interests include systems change, the effects of behavior interventions on academics, and culturally responsive practices. I chose to attend the UC School Psychology Program because of the rigorous program, early applied experience, close match to faculty interests, and the opportunity to work with diverse populations in the area.

Hi! My name is Melanie Ritter. I am a first year specialist level student originally from North Carolina . I graduated with a double major in psychology and communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . I choose to attend UC because of the practical experiences in inner city schools and because of close relationships between the students and faculty. When I graduate I would like to work in a public elementary school.

My name is Nicki Sandora and I am a second year student in the specialist program.  I am from Akron , Ohio . I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology at the Ohio State University .  I chose the UC program because of its ecological/behavioral orientation as well as its emphasis on the problem-solving approach for prevention and intervention.  The program also has a great relationship with schools in the surrounding communities.

Hi there. My name is Renée Wilson and I'm currently a second-year student in the Specialist program. I grew up in a small town in southeastern Ohio and earned my B.S. in psychology from the Ohio State University . I always knew I wanted to work in a field focused on kids and am so glad to have found that here. Our classes range from supporting individual children to facilitating change at a systems level, with the ultimate focus on the success of all students. That, as well as the program's dedication to an eco-behavioral approach in practice, are just two of the many reasons why I chose UC.

 

For more information, please contact the UC School Psychology program secretary at: