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Katie Akins

  • Graduate Student (M.U. 2009)

What were the highlights of your time as a Psychology major at MU?
"All of the professors were so friendly and available for help whenever you needed it. It was fun to see Dr. Loher in his "freudian slip" and Dr. Murray in the pavlov's dog costume!"

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"I think having an undergrad internship in the field I'm pursuing now was a huge help in preparing me for grad school. I have an understanding of certain things and only have to refresh my memory instead of having to learn something brand new."

Michael Atkinson

  • School Psychologist, Northwest corner of the Dine (Navajo) reservation for Page Unified School District, Page AZ (M.U. 1983)
  • Ph.D. University of Arizona

What have been the highlights of your career since leaving MU?
"My work as a school psychologist challenges me to solve problems across a wide variety of settings. The foundational skills I learned in my psych of human relations classes at Mansfield U. support my effectiveness to this day. The program at Mansfield gave me just enough curiosity to pursue higher education in a field that has brought me great personal satisfaction. I believe the strength of Mansfield's program is in the formal and informal relationships inherent with the small teacher-student ratio."

Pamela L. Best

  • Director of HR, JFGH, Rockville MD (M.U. 1987)

Would you encourage others to consider the Psychology Program at MU? Please explain.
"I would encourage others to consider the Psychology Program at MU especially for Human Resources. Human Resources belongs under the Psychology Program not under Business Programs like most schools have. The Psychology Program at MU helps you get the "Human" in Human Resources. It helps you understand the whole person. This gets lost at big schools."

Teresa Janelli (Boll)

  • Creative Memories scrapbooking business (home party sales) (M.U. 1992)

In what other ways did your experience as a Psychology major affect your approach to life?
"I know I enjoy people and try to understand why they function the way they do. I see how mental health affects everybody in different ways. I am a very helpful person with my friends going through marriage problems and dealing with difficult children and encourage them to seek professional counseling when needed. I have certainly used my mental health experience with foster parenting with both the children and their parents. We ended up adopting a child with autism through this which has been a blessing."

Hannah Bride

  • BS Therapeutic Foster Care/ In Home Counselor, Rappahannock Area Community Service Board (M.U. 2005)

"My years at Mansfield have prepared me for graduate school immensely. I learned valuable counseling techniques, writing and documentation skills, and communication strategies among many things. The relationship i developed with my professors at Mansfield helped me as a student and still as a professional."

Marquand Brown

  • HR Manager for Employment StoneMor Partners LP, Levittown PA (M.U. 1998)
  • Certificate in Human Resource Management - Villanova University (2005)

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"Being in a small group environment like the HR tract at MU really gave me the opportunity to learn to work well in small groups. Team unity is extremely important when you have a small staff. Everyone must be willing to jump in and help whenever necessary to be successful."

Rebekah Burke (Smith)

  • Psy.D. - Marywood University 2008
  • M.A. - Marywood University 2006

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"It allowed me to look at every person as an individual in therapy, and how to understand as not just a diagnosis, but a person."

Karen Crisp

  • Clinical Supervisor, Laurel Youth Services, Blossburg, PA (M.U. 1983)
  • M.A. Psychology

What were the highlights of your time as a Psychology major at MU?
"Being in the masters program was very challenging due to the intensity and pace. The faculty were so closely involved that I always felt supported and encouraged. Because of my NIMH fellowship, I was able to complete my education without student loans and that was a big start in life!"

Allen Dunstan, Retired, (M.U. 1974)

  • MS Education - Temple University 1985
  • Ph.D. Psychoeducational Process - Temple University 2002

Would you encourage others to consider attending MU? Please explain.
"I would encourage anyone who really wants to study to go to Mansfield. The quality of professors and content of the courses provided me with opportunities for understanding and learning that i could not have received else where."

Stephanie Gaun

  • Kindergarten Teacher, Hatboro PA (M.U. 2007)
  • M.Ed. Elementary- Arcadia University (2009)

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"With psychology as my background, I use my skills when I am teaching. If I have a student who is suddenly struggling in school academically, I will not immediately think "learning disability", I will look at other factors such as the child's home life, circle of friends, and other behaviors with other teachers."

Abbigail Glen

  • Family Based Mental Health Counselor Community Services Group 1000 Commerce Park Drive Williamsport, PA (M.U. 2006)
  • Master of Arts in Africana Studies at SUNY Albany Expected graduation date December 2011

Would you encourage others to consider attending MU? Please explain.
"Yes, if you are looking for a university that offers the opportunity to join many different types of organizations and sports teams. In addition, if you are looking for a university that has smaller class sizes, personal interaction with professors, and professors that enjoy seeing students succeed."

Stephanie Haulman

  • Office Assistant/Field Staff Supervisor, Albany NY (M.U. 2010)
  • M.Ed. Elementary- Arcadia University (2009)

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?:
"My education in Human Resource Management in the Psychology department helped me developed a superior level of professionalism. I am constantly being complimented by my manager about how I conduct myself among our employees and our clients and I know without a doubt that it's a result of my education at Mansfield."

Adrienne Karaban

  • Full Time Student (M.U. 2005)
  • MA in Mental Health Counseling Capella University Graduation 2010

In what other ways did your experience as a Psychology major affect your approach to life?:
"In general having a base in Psychology is helpful in my daily life, with relationships, and in my professional life as well."

Marissa Fontana-Kosydar

  • HR, Organizational Development & Training Sanofi Pasteur 1 Discovery Drive Swiftwater, PA (M.U. 2005)
  • Enrolled in Lehigh University's MBA program

What were the highlights of your time as a Psychology major at MU?:
"Working closely with the other Psych and HRM students. Working closely with the faculty and staff. Research Symposium in Boston, MA."

Melissa Lindquist

  • Therapeutic Staff Support, Northwestern Human Services, Bradford/Sullivan/Tioga Counties (M.U. 2007)
  • Currently working on my Master's in Mental Health Counseling at Marywood University, Scranton, PA. Expected graduation date May 2010.

What have been the highlights of your career since leaving MU?
"Definitely my current work with children diagnosed with autism. It is such a difficult and rewarding job. I also enjoy the volunteer work/research I get to do with Bradford County probation."

Kari Long

  • Behavioral Specialist Consultant/Mobile Therapist; Youth Advocate Programs, Inc; Reading, PA (M.U. 2004)
  • Master of Social Work; Marywood University; 2008

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
 "The professors who had experience in the field helped to direct my focus and decide how I wanted to use psychology in my personal and professional life."

Stephanie Lynch

  • Current graduate student at the University of Scranton, completing my masters in Rehabilitation Counseling (M.U. 2008)

In what other ways did your experience as a Psychology major affect your approach to life?
 "Being a psychology major at Mansfield was one of the best experiences of my life. I came to the school a very shy and reserved girl two months out of high school and on my own for the first time in my life. Through my four years, I not only gained my sense of independence by being away from home, but I gained a sense of self and gained confidence in who I was."

Robert J. Marsh

  • Deputy Superintendent of Centralized Services PA Department of Corrections SCI Rockview (M.U. 1997)
  • MS Clinical Psychology - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; 2001
  • Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; 2005

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"I was very well prepared for my doctoral degree coursework and my employment with the department of corrections. Courses in theories of counseling, group processes, abnormal psychology, personality theory, and assessment sequences in the masters program prepared me very well for the challenges of delivering psychology services in a forensic population."

Dan Marrese

  • Case manager, Luzerne county pre-trial services, Catholic social services, Wilkes-Barre PA (M.U. 1977)

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"Most of the professors had real world experience to complement their educational knowledge, and they shared this with their students, this was extremely beneficial so as to balance one's perspective in making decisions in the field once employed"

Michel Masters

  • Group Supervisor, Preschool Teacher, Child Advocate, Domestic Violence Center, West Chester PA (M.U. 2007)
  • Masters in Public Health- Community Health Track

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"I believe taking the variety of classes help me to be open minded and use several of the things I learned with the children and mothers I work with. Research methods is great, I'm currently taking a graduate class completing a very similar project, that is really the stepping stone for any work that I want to do in Public Health planning, implementing, evaluating and grant writing. Thank You so much for all your time and effort. The Psychology program at Mansfield changed my life. Being in a graduate program I compare everything to my experiences in the Mansfield Psychology department and nothing compares to it."

William P. Miller

  • Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences (M.U. 1988)
  • Ph.D. in Mathematics, The George Washington University, 1995

Would you encourage others to consider attending MU? Please explain.
 "The short answer is absolutely yes, but not without cautions. When I was at MU, I had a belief that what undergraduate institution one attended was unimportant: that education was what the individual made of it. I still believe this, BUT, my experience with other academic institutions leads me to also conclude that some help the individual to make more of their education than others do. I know, for instance, that the mathematics majors at Susquehanna University are much better prepared for graduate study or for industry work than I was when I graduated (as a mathematics major) from MU. But on the other hand, SU costs a LOT more than MU, so that tradeoff of quality vs. finance must be weighed carefully. So if a student had financial difficulties, and needed to prioritize those concerns over receiving the best educational opportunities, I would certainly encourage them to attend MU."

Karen Sharer-Mohatt

  • Owner, Private Practice in Mental Health, Lincoln NE (M.U. 1984)
  • Psy.D., Minnesota School of Professional Psychology, 1994; MA, Mansfield University, 1984.

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"Faculty instilled in me the desire to know more about the human condition and spirit. While challenging at the time, they also helped me to push my own limits with regard to continued learning. My education at MU provided a very firm foundation for my work in the field of mental health."

Eric Noll

  • Officer- In- Charge US Probation Officer, Williamsport PA (M.U. 1997)
  • Masters of Business Administration- Bloomsburg University (2005)

"The program gave me not only the psychological theories, but allowed me to apply those theories to everyday life. I believe that my experiences as a psychology major made me more sensitive to the human experience. The psychology department is one of the best kept secrets at Mansfield University. The department is staffed with outstanding professors who are experts in their field. During my time at MU, I never once had a psychology professor refuse to help me with a project or problem. They were all approachable and wanted to see students perform to the best of their abilities."

Mark Nugent

  • Vice President, Central Region Princeton Information, 8260 Greensboro Drive, Mclean VA (M.U. 1987)

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"Mansfield's Human Resources program gave me excellent preparation in real-world scenarios that managers face in corporate America."

Diana Petlock (Rizzo)

  • HR Specialist, Mercy Hospital, Scranton PA (M.U. 2004)

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"Dr. Loher especially prepared me well for a career in Human Resources. The projects he assigned and his expertise was extremely helpful as I progress in my career. The internship program and the binders were helpful as well as the many presentations required for graduation. This has come in handy when having to present or speak in front of a group now."

Would you encourage others to consider attending MU? Please explain.
 "I love Mansfield University..so much in fact that I now sit on the Alumni Board of Directors and serve as the Chair of the Recognition Committee. MU is a wonderful small town University with a big city education."

Brett Powell

  • Adjunct Professor of Psychology & Special Events and partnerships Manager for Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen NY (M.U. 2002)
  • M.S. in Experimental Psychology- St. Joseph's University

What have been the highlights of your career since leaving MU?
 "Having a healthy balance between my psychology, sports and music lifestyles and finding applications for my psych background in all facets of life have highlighted my career"

Joseph Renninger

  • Student at Tiffin University, Tiffin Oh (M.U. 2008)
  • Student - Tiffin University (expected Graduation December 2009)

Would you encourage others to consider the Psychology Program at MU? Please explain.
"I would encourage anyone interested in psychology to explore the major. My educational experiences were great and the department faculty were awesome to work with."

Amber Shaffer

  • Residential Instructor for United Cerebral Palsy, (M.U. 2008)
  • Bachelors degree in Psychology December of 2008

Would you encourage others to consider attending MU? Please explain.
"MU is the only 4 year school I would ever encourage anyone to attend. The staff and professors there encourage each individual to do their best and to never give up. They give positive support and are never quick to judge someone. The campus itself is friendly and you can definitely feel the welcomed atmosphere."

Joline (Spencer) Smith

  • HR Recruiter Abraxas Youth and Family Services Morgantown, PA (M.U. 2008)
  • Online Courses - University of Phoenix
  • BS Psychology - Human Resource Management

Would you encourage others to consider the Psychology Program at MU? Please explain.
"The psychology department is full of amazing and dedicated faculty and they have gone the extra mile for many, myself included. You will not feel like just another student. The staff cares about your success."

jospencer@abraxasyfs.com

Terry Sweeney

  • VP of Research operations in Europe, London UK (M.U. 1991)
  • M.S. College Student Development, ABD- Alfred University
  • Human Development in Educational Contexts- Warner Graduate School, University of Rochester (2001)

How did your education in Psychology at MU prepare you for your career or work?
"It prepared me VERY well.. I was leaps and bounds above my peer group in the basics. I loved my time at MU and have put my MU education against quite a few Ivy leaguers in my time that think it's all in a name... and I have proven all of them wrong! It's all in what you put in and what you walk away with."

Henry (Hank) Zarzycki

  • Training Manager Wegmans Food Markets Rochester, NY (M.U. 1985)
  • BS Physical Education (Teacher Certification) SUNY Brockport, 2004

In what other ways did your experience as a Psychology major affect your approach to life?
"It has helped me to value the differences in people. It has given me a better understanding that not everyone is like me, and people can approach life and solutions to problems in different ways, but still experience the same happiness and success."