About Us - Department of Psychology
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Who We Are — Current Student Perspective
Leonardo Giorgioni - Psychology Junior
"Coming from the European education system, I was eager to experience the renowned American undergraduate education that so many of us work hard to pursue. I applied without a clear idea of where to go or what my future goals looked like. It wasn't until I applied to Professor Garcia’s tDCS lab and held an interview with her that I realized neuropsychology might not be the right fit for me. Professor Garcia then introduced me to Professor Askew, a Quantitative Psychologist who became both a mentor and a friend.
The psychology department has provided me with countless opportunities to explore different career paths, from receiving direct mentorship from Stetson graduate students to gaining hands-on lab experience with faculty members.
Currently, I’m working in Professor Eskenazi’s lab on eye tracking and preposition stranding research, Professor Garcia’s lab on trans-cranial direct current stimulation, and assisting Professor Askew with behavioral statistics as a teaching assistant. These experiences have equipped me with the tools to cultivate my skills independently and apply them in practical settings. I now encourage others to take full advantage of these opportunities."
Shelby Taylor - Psychology Senior
"I entered Stetson’s Psychology department a little over two years ago as a first-year student. The field of psychology was an interest of mine, but I had no idea where this major would take me in my journey through higher education and my future career. As a current senior reflecting on this experience, I can confidently say that the Psychology Department at Stetson has provided me with the resources and support to formulate and achieve my goals.
The faculty and staff have been vital to my success. Small class sizes and professor-student connections were my driving forces behind choosing to attend Stetson. I can recall entering my first advising session with Professor Danielle Lindner in the Fall of 2022. I was incredibly nervous and had so many questions. I left this meeting feeling assured and confident in my path. While my advisor meetings were always beneficial, my professor-student connections were not just limited to these interactions. I was able to establish many other beneficial relationships where I could ask questions, discover opportunities, and even just chat in the halls.
These interactions allowed me to explore opportunities such as my behavioral health internship and employment at Camp Boggy Creek. Through this experience, I got to work with kids with serious illnesses, as well as behavioral and mental health needs, in a nontraditional environment. I have been able to take part in two Psychopathology Teaching Apprenticeships with Professors Michelle Camden and Sarah Garcia. Through these experiences, I was able to experience course content from a new perspective and grow as a leader and communicator. I also was inducted into and served as the secretary of Stetson’s chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.
Stetson’s Psychology Department has allowed me to explore the world of research. Throughout several courses, I was given opportunities to research topics that interest me, as well as participate in other student’s senior research projects. When it came time to conduct my own project, I was able to formulate and conduct a study involving military mental healthcare, a topic I had become incredibly passionate about. It has been rewarding to conduct this project independently with the support and guidance of my senior research professor who has helped me through the process and taught me so much about how to think like a professional researcher. As I am currently nearing the end of my senior research project, I can now confidently say I have the skill set to be an active consumer and producer of research, wherever my path may take me.
Now as I prepare for my future, I intend to use the knowledge and skills provided to me at Stetson to pursue a master’s degree in clinical and mental health counseling. I have a passion and goal to work as a licensed mental health counselor through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The guidance and support I have received, as well as networking opportunities, have been vital in choosing my career path and pursuing these next steps. I encourage all current and future psychology majors and minors to take full advantage of the resources, opportunities, and faculty engagement."
Julia Ramos de Camargo - Psychology Sophomore
"My involvement in the Department of Psychology at Stetson began in October 2023. I arrived as a discovery major, exploring classes in both the School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, including Introduction to Psychology with Professor Medlin. It was in Professor Medlin’s class that I first felt a spark. Our conversations during office hours opened my eyes to my true interests, and I realized how fascinated I was by the human brain and its complexities.
In October 2023, I declared my major in Psychology, and soon after, I applied to be a Research Assistant in Professor Garcia's neuropsychology lab, and I was thrilled to be accepted. She has not only guided my academic journey as my advisor but has also become a mentor who genuinely believes in my potential. During Spring 2024, I embarked on training in the SCN lab under her guidance, diving deep into trans-cranial electrical stimulation and its effects on the brain. I also declared a second major in Biology to complement my studies as I want to pursue a career in Neuroscience.
Now, I am actively running participants in the lab and interning at the Brain Fitness Academy, where I connect with the senior population affected by Alzheimer. This semester, I am particularly excited to dive into the positions I currently hold and get even more involved in the department. I am also eager to deepen my knowledge about Behavioral Neuroscience as I am taking Biological Psychology with Professor King. So far, I have had the opportunity to dissect a sheep brain to learn about its structures and similarities to the human brain. It was a truly fascinating experience that deepened my understanding of brain anatomy and function, reinforcing my passion for this field.
As an international student from Brazil, my time at the Psychology Department has been both amazing and fulfilling. I cherish the hands-on experiences that are shaping my skills and future career, as well as the meaningful relationships I have built with my professors.
One year later, I am confident in my chosen path and deeply grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and support I’ve received from those who saw my potential, even when I didn’t. I look forward to the next years and the new opportunities that lie ahead as I continue my journey as a Psychology student."
To see our faculty members' academic degrees and professional accomplishments, choose a name below to visit the faculty profile page. But to see random facts about who they are as people and to find out about their research interests, keep reading...
- Robert Askew is an amateur art critic and hound aficionado who often brings his best friends--Fern and Ivy--to school with him. His research is concerned with pain and health.
- Michele Camden is a self-proclaimed theater nerd who dabbles in stage acting and scriptwriting. One of her current interests is animal-assisted therapy.
- Michael Eskenazi's top bucket-list item is to visit all 59 national parks in the country. He uses eye-tracking to examine word learning and reading.
- Kyle Dickey is currently undergoing a crash course in developmental psychology with his daughter Claire. His research focuses on counterfactual thinking - the "if only..." and "what if..." thoughts that we often have."
- Chris Ferguson plays guitar and sings in a local band called Gods of Avalon, knows how to swordfight, and eats just about anything (jellyfish, python, etc.) except vegetables. His research focuses on whether playing violent video games makes people more aggressive, as well as, more recently issues related to crime, policing and race.
- Sarah Garcia enjoys traveling to places of historical art & culture. Her research focuses on non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive change in a variety of populations.
- Camille King has completed three Tough Mudder races and has promised herself to do at least one every five years until she's not able to anymore. She studies the neural basis of taste functions in rats.
- Danielle Lindner was planning to become a high school music teacher before she decided to pursue a career in psychology, and she still spends much of her free time singing as both a cantor and choir member at her church. Her research focuses on body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.
- Rick Medlin grew up on the Stetson campus (his childhood home was where the Lynn Business Center is now) and has taught in the Psychology Department since 1981. He studies the development of homeschooled children.
- Jessica Kissane, PhD, Florida International University
- Laura Crysel, PhD, University of Florida
Some of our adjunct faculty bring real-world experience from clinical practice and scientific research into the classroom. We typically have one or two each year:
Cassandra Hansel, Ed.D. Central Michigan University; MA. Counseling Psychology- Western Michigan University