Alumni Updates: Class Years 2000-09
Below are archived updates for alumni graduating in the 2000s. Visit the Recent Alumni Updates page for current news.
Lisa Bateman '09 I am currently in my fifth year of a doctoral program in school psychology at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa and will graduate in August 2014 with my Ph.D. I have collected all of my dissertation data and am now analyzing the results. My project examines life satisfaction among high school students with symptoms of ADHD. I am also on internship, where I split my time between providing academic, behavioral, and psychological services in local schools, working in a USF Health Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) clinic, teaching behavioral parent training courses, and providing academic, behavioral, and psychological services in a low-income pediatric clinic. In my free time during graduate school, I have become very involved with my church, Aletheia Tampa, and enjoy searching the local community. (10/13)
Denicia Titchner '03 Denicia is very excited to have graduated with her Ph.D. in Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in August 2013. (09/13)
Jackie Woods '09 I am currently a 4th year student in the counseling psychology doctoral program at Virginia Commonwealth University. For my dissertation, I received funding from the NIH to conduct a health promotion intervention targeting childhood obesity in a local African American church congregation. I also plan to apply for internship this Fall and hope to obtain an internship at a college counseling center. (09/13)
Eric Muirhead '08 (BA) I currently serve as an officer in the United States Army, and since 2009, have worked in the Army Evaluation Task Force at Fort Bliss, Texas and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico developing new equipment and networks for the United States Military and the tactics, techniques, and procedures and how to implement them in combat. I've found as a leader of Soldiers, that a degree in Psychology has been incredibly useful in helping to understand their issues and find ways to motivate them when conditions are rough and difficult. Special thanks to the faculty of the W & M Psychology Department for all the help and support I received during my undergraduate years. (05/12)
Teal (Wisniewski) Benevides '02 (BS) I received my Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2004, and am currently faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. I am actively involved with two funded studies of autism which are aimed at understanding the physiological mechanisms of sensory over-responsivity in children with autism (funded by NICHD) and a RCT of occupational therapy for children with autism (funded by Autism Speaks). I am also currently obtaining my PhD from VCU in Health Related Sciences. My psychology degree from W&M has been a wonderful stepping stone for my current academic and research pursuits. Thank you W&M! (11/10)
Patrick Boyle '01 (MA) Just married (9/24). Ph.D. candidate in Psychology at the New School University in NYC. (10/10)
Michael Griffin '01 (MA) My wife and I will be having our first-born son in early-December of this year! (09/11)
Carrie Smith '99 (BA) '01 (MA) Just moved to take an assistant professorship at the University of Mississippi. (11/10)
BriAnne Weaver '01 (BS) I went on to get a Master of Music (MM) in Music Therapy from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. I currently work as a music therapist with children and adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities at the Ann Storck Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. (10/11)
Mikhal (McPherson) Salzberg '02 (BA) After graduation I earned my M.Ed. from the University of Virginia in School Counseling. I am now a School Counselor in Harrisonburg, VA, specializing in career and technical education counseling. (09/10)
Danielle Carter '03 (BA) I am currently a supervisor for Therapeutic Day Treatment with Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Community Services Board covering 10 counties from Gloucester to King William and up to Colonical Beach. I have finally obtained my LPC and love working with at risk children and adolescents. (10/12)
Kathleen (Lovins) Herndon '03 (BS) I have two wonderful pieces of news. First, I have recorded a new album, and will release the first single on January 31. The single will be considered for Gold Record certification by the RIAA. To listen to the single, visit KatePublishing.com and find "Copathetic" In addition to my efforts in music, I have been accepted to a PhD program in Clinical Psychology! (01/11)
Jennifer (Smith) Lodi-Smith '01 (BA) '03 (MA) Just accepted a position as assistant professor of psychology at Canisius College in Buffalo NY. Canisius a small, liberal arts college with a psychology department that is dedicated to high quality undergraduate research training. (03/11)
Jennifer (Smith) Lodi-Smith '01 (BA), '03 (MA) After finishing my Ph.D. in personality psychology at the University of Illinois in 2008, I am completing a postdoc in neurocognitive aging at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas. I'm teaching a graduate course in personality psychology to UTD and UT Southwester Medical Center students. I got married to a neuroimaging data analyst, Andrew Hebrank, one year ago and we are expecting our first child in early December. If that doesn't keep me busy enough, I'm on the job market this fall! (10/09)
Hilary (Willson) Alessi '04 (BA) I went on to pursue and receive my Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at The Medical College of Virginia in 2007. I'm currently working as a school-based therapist in Portsmouth, VA, working with children in the special education program. (10/09)
Michelle (Perkins) Clark '04 (BA) I attained the status of Licensed Clinical Psychologist in October 2010. I was also interviewed for an article on teaching in psychology that will appear in the November issue of GradPsych magazine. (10/10)
Jennifer (Little) McVay '04 (BS) I graduated with my Ph. D. in Cognitive Psychology from UNCG and I am currently teaching at Elon University in NC. My research interests include attention control and memory, and my dissertation focused on mind wandering during reading and its effects on comprehension. (11/10)
Jeremy Burroughs '05 (BA) Working as a school psychologist in Fairfax County Public Schools. (09/11)
Andy Lau '05 (BA) Hello everyone. I recently moved to Philadelphia and am currently enrolled in a 4-year Doctoral Program at Salus University-George S. Osborne College of Audiology. At the end of the four years, I will obtain my AuD degree (Doctor of Audiology). If you are in the Philadelphia area, please feel free to give me a holler. In the meantime, all the best. (10/09)
Cassie McDonnell '05 (BS) I've recently entered year 5 (homestretch!) of the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. I'm specializing in child psych and behavioral medicine, and my current research is focused on child/parent anxiety in kids with medically unexplained chest pain. While I've enjoyed my time in the Midwest, I'm hoping to eventually return to VA and am currently applying for pre-doctoral internships in that area. (10/09)
Kelley Tatum '05 (BS) After graduating in 2005, I moved to Charleston, SC. I worked part time until I enrolled at the College of Charleston and in December 2009 I received my Master of Arts in Teaching degree with a focus in mental disabilities. I am currently teaching Inclusion Math at Summerville High School in Summerville, SC. (3/10)
Scott Cassidy '06 (MA) I recently completed my PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Penn State and currently work as a consultant at SWA Consulting in Raleigh, NC. (6/11)
Cathy Donoso '06 (BA) After graduating from William & Mary I went to get my Master's in Social Work at Columbia University. I graduated in 2008 and have been working as a social worker in Family Preventive Services, which is part of the child welfare system in New York City. (10/09)
Kelly Jones '06 (BA) After working for 2 years as a mental health case manager for homeless clients at St. Vincent de Paul Village in San Diego, CA, I moved to Chicago to begin a master's program at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. Classes and field work are just beginning, but so far it's challenging and engaging! (10/09)
Emily Bell Schumann '06 (MA) After graduation, went to work as a reseach coordinator at a neuroscience center in Connecticut, and later another in New Mexico. I got married to Dan Schumann-Mraz in July 2008. I entered the clinical psych PhD program at Kent State University, and am studying social cognition in schizophrenia. (4/09)
Alia Wolfson '06 (BS) In May, I graduated from Rider University with my Ed.S. (Educational Specialist degree) in School Psychology after a three-year program. Now I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and looking for a job up in the Toronto area. (10/09)
Megan Finch '07 (BA) I received my MAEd in Elementary Education from William and Mary in 2008. I am now in my second year of teaching third grade in Chesterfield county, VA. (10/09)
Nate Lucena '07 (MA) I have just started my third year in the Psychology PhD program at Washington University in St Louis. Broadly, I am interested in aspects of cognitive and brain aging. I have three major lines of research. First, I investigate the heritability of brain structure and functional networks in old age. Second, I study the neural and cognitive factors leading to age-related differences in spatial navigation abilities. Finally, I am investigating biological, cognitive, and social moderators of the relationship between chronic stress and memory performance in older adults. (09/11)
Teri Preddy '07 (BS) Just this past summer, I completed my M.A. in Psychology at the University of Richmond. My thesis was focused on the trade-offs (i.e., depression, anxiety, and positive friendship quality) that are associated with co-rumination in emerging adult same-sex friendships. I am now pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Tennessee, where I was awarded the J. Wallace and Katie Dean Multi-Year Graduate Fellowship for four years of graduate study. (11/10)
Elizabeth Sadock '07 (BS) I am a 2nd year doctoral student in clinical psychology at the The Virginia Commonwealth University after spending two years working at Massachusetts General Hospital on a genetic linkage study of Tourettes, OCD, and ADHD under the PI, Dr. David Pauls. (03/11)
Jessica Goforth '08 (BA) I am pursuing a master's degree in education at the William and Mary School of Education. When I graduate in May, I'll be looking for a job as a high school English teacher. (10/09)
Eric Muirhead '08 (BA) I currently serve as an officer in the United States Army, and since 2009, have worked in the Army Evaluation Task Force at Fort Bliss, Texas and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico developing new equipment and networks for the United States Military and the tactics, techniques, and procedures and how to implement them in combat.
I've found as a leader of Soldiers, that a degree in Psychology has been incredibly useful in helping to understand their issues and find ways to motivate them when conditions are rough and difficult. Special thanks to the faculty of the W & M Psychology Department for all the help and support I received during my undergraduate years. (05/12)
Steven Weisberg '08 (BA) I am pursuing a PhD. in Cognitive Psychology at Temple University, studying with Dr. Nora Newcombe as part of the Spatial Intelligence and Learning Center (SILC). My first year project involves navigation in virtual environments. (11/10)
Carrie (Lundgren) Bailey '94 (BS), '09 (PhD) I received my doctorate in Counselor Education this year after returning to my undergrad alma mater (B.S. Psychology, 1994)... and just began as Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. (10/09)
Andy DeSoto '09 (BS) This Fall (2009), I started the Ph.D. program in Washington University in St. Louis' Department of Psychology in the Brain, Behavior & Cognition program as a student of Dr. Henry L. Roediger, III. This semester's research is examining correlations between memory and confidence and is slated for a presentation this January at a conference of the MacArthur Foundation, a future book chapter, and hopefully an upcoming peer-reviewed article. (10/09)
Amanda Fuller '09 (BS) I am currently working as a Research Assistant in a social development lab at UNC-Greensboro. The study focuses on anxious solitary children and their social interactions, and is in its fifth and final year. I am learning a lot and loving every minute of it. My connections through W&M helped me find this job, and my work with Dr. Dallaire and Dr. Zeman my senior year prepared me greatly for it. (10/09)
