Psychology Grad Profiles
WHERE GRADS GO
Students are prepared for graduate programs, for professional programs and for the workplace. Read below to find out what a few of our graduates have been doing.
Zachary Reynolds, Class of 2010
Zach spent his Junior and Senior years at Gordon working on research projects that culminated in a trip to Tokyo to present his findings, and spent his final semester fully devoted to multiple research projects. The time spent working on these projects helped him realize the potential for careers in psychology-oriented research, and prompted him to apply for positions as a research assistant at universities and hospitals. Zach was hired by the Schepens Eye Research Institute, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, during his final semester, and began working there the summer after graduating. His work focuses on low-vision rehabilitation and evaluating the effectiveness of cutting-edge technologies in helping those who suffer from vision impairment. Zach is hoping to continue his education in psychology by pursuing a doctorate degree, though he is still exploring which programs he is most interested in and how his future will take shape in the coming years.
Timothy Hohman, Class of 2007
Upon graduating, Tim immediately began work on his PhD at American University in a Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience program. His work has focused on event recall in Autobiographical Memory. During his time at AU, he has also collaborated with the Laboratory of Personality and Cognition at the National Institute on Aging working with structural and functional imaging in older adults. Tim is beginning his dissertation looking at changes in Autobiographical Memory during normal aging and plans to complete his work in 2012. He hopes to continue research on normal and abnormal aging upon completion of his degree.
Emily Fisher, Class of 2005
Emily graduated in 2005 and then spent time working with Schizophrenics in an HMS-affiliated Neuroimaging lab. She received a 2008-2009 Fulbright Scholarship to Norway and finished her Master's in the Philosophy of Health Promotion at the University of Bergen in Norway in 2010. Her research interests have focused on studying youth quality of life issues within the community. This interest in youth health behaviors is what brought her to Norway, as she received the Fulbright grant to study adolescent nutrition habits in the Norwegian school system. She used findings from this experience as a basis for designing and conducting a qualitative study for her Master’s thesis research. Her thesis focused on detecting specific strategies the adults in community-based youth leadership development programs used for genuine youth participation and skill development, so that these successful programs could share their tools with others. She is now applying to PhD programs and is particularly interested in addressing issues around health information dissemination and program evaluation, especially as they relate to youth within communities affected by the social determinants of health.
Oliver Lindhiem, Class of 2002
Oliver spent his first postgraduate year and a half working at the Anchorage group home for adolescent boys in Beverly. While there he became interested in the developmental implications of foster home care and the multiple home placements that these children often experience. Oliver is currently in his fourth year of a Clinical Psychology program at the University of Delaware, where he is teaching a research methods course. He has several publications in his name and his master's research is in press. He begins his dissertation this summer and hopes to teach and do research at a college or university when he graduates.
Ron Whiteman, Class of 1999
Ron graduated with a double major in psychology and movement science, then began working as a Research Assistant in the School of Medicine at Yale University in their structural neuroimaging laboratory. Later he followed his mentor, Dr. Bradley Peterson, to Columbia University to become the Senior Image Analyst on studies investigating various neuropsychiatric disorders in children and young adults using functional MRI technology. Ron has co-authored several publications that explore specific brain structures associated with particular clinical problems such as ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. He is currently applying for doctoral programs in cognitive neuroscience at some of the top schools in the country.
Chris Carlson, Class of 1987
Chris obtained a Master's degree in human development, counseling, and family studies with a specialization in college student development from the University of Rhode Island in 1990. Since then, Chris has been serving Gordon students in various capacities as Associate Dean of Students with a focus on student life and leadership. Among other things, Chris advises the student government, directs the A.J. Gordon Scholars program and contributes to the residence life and recreation programs at Gordon.
Karen Smith, Class of 1984
Following graduation Karen went to work for a local human services agency that specialized in placing people with disabilities in supervised work settings. Over several years she worked in increasingly responsible positions with the agency, and along the way earned a graduate degree in rehabilitation counseling. She is now working in Chiang Mai, Thailand (as a missionary through International Ministries, ABC/USA) where she is the program director for the New Life Center. The New Life Center serves ethnic minority girls who are victims of labor exploitation and human trafficking, including forced prostitution. Karen's role draws deeply on her vocational rehabilitation, ministry, and leadership skills.