Higher Education - Teaching

Drew Sonnenberg '22 is pursuing a MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Towson University part-time with an expected graduation in 2025. After graduation  from SMCM, he worked there for a year as a lab manager supported by Dr. Freedman's National Science Foundation grant and as a department assistant for the Department of Psychology. He is currently a junior lecturer for The Johns Hopkins University’s Psychological and Brain Sciences Department and a graduate assistant for the Human Resource Development program at Towson.

Julia Gardner '14 earned a MAT at SMCM in '15, and a MFA in Creative Writing from Saint Mary's College of California in 2021. After graduation, she spent some time abroad as freelance writer and English teacher at Busan Global Village in Busan, South Korea. She is now a social media manager for Hourly and an adjunct professor of writing at Saint Mary's College of California.

Briana Manente '12 earned an MFA in Acting at Catholic University of America in 2015. She is an actor for various companies, adjunct professor at Prince George's Comminty College, program manager for Shakespeare Beyond at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and associate artistic director and stange manager/production manager for Shakespeare in the Parks: Prince George's County. Additionally, Bri is is a clinical services coordinator at The George Washington University.

Vaughn Bryant '10 earned a MSc in Behavioral and Social Health Science at Brown University in 2013, and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Florida in 2018. He is a clinical assistant professor in the Departmet of Psychiatry at University of Florida and a clinical neurpsycholist for UF Health Jacksonville.

Catherine 'Kay' Lamar '09 earned a MA in Social Psychology and Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University in 2012.  She is an assistant professor of psychology at Pasadena City College. 

Jenalee Coster '08 earned a MD from University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2012. She is a clinical instructor of thoracic surgery and fellow in lung transplant surgery at Unniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Marybeth Heather '08 earned a MS in Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in 2013. Marybeth began pursuing a EdD in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Argosy University in August 2017, and transitioned to earn a PhD in the same field at Lindsey Wilson College in 2019. She expects to complete her studies in 2021. A supervising therapist (LCPC) for Sheppard Pratt Health System Outpatient Clinic in Howard County (formerly Way Station, Inc.), a co-teacher/teaching assistant/ doctoral intern at Johns Hopkins University teaching practicum and career, and a doctoral trainee at John’s Hopkins Hospital, Marybeth is the professional networking chair for the MD Counseling Association (MCA) and president elect for the Maryland Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (MACES). She is also a reflective practitioner supervisor counselor educator at The Counseling at Northwestern University Program online. 

Ayşe Ikizler '07 worked as a research associate for American Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. for three years following graduation. She earned a MA in Psychology from University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2013 and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the same institution in 2016. She joined the Department of Psychology at SMCM in August 2016.

Gwen Calhoon '06 earned a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2013. Following her thesis work, she returned to St. Mary’s College of Maryland as a visiting professor of psychology and neuroscience. Afterwards, she participated in a visiting fellowship in the lab of Dr. Michael Krashes at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), studying hypothalamic circuits driving feeding. In 2014,  Gwen joined the lab of Dr. Kay Tye at MIT, where she studied how hunger impacts activity in neurons encoding positive and negative emotional valence. She is a visiting assistant professor of neuroscience at Bates College.

Angy Kallarackal '06 earned a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2012. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Utah for four and a half years. She is now an assistant professor of psychology at Mount St. Mary's University.

Sharon (Messenheimer) Kelley '06 earned a MS in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University in 2010 and a JD from Villanova University School of Law in 2011. She went on to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology (Forensic) from Drexel University in 2014. She is a forensic psychology evaluator at the University of Virginia  Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy.  In this role she conducts forensic psychological evaluations, including competence to stand trial, mental state at the time of alleged offense, risk assessments, and capital sentencing. She is also an assistant professor of research in the department of psychiatry and neurobehavioral services at UVA.

Brian Mills '06 completed his graduate studies at University of Michigan. He earned a MA in Sport Management in 2008, MA in Statistics in 2011, and MAE Applied Economics in 2012, and a PhD in Sport Management in 2012. He taught at the University of Florida  for seven years and is now an associate professor at The University of Texas at Austin.  His research is specialized in Industrial Organization and Labor Economics as they relate to sports leagues.  

Leo Schlosnagle '06 earned a PhD in lifespan developmental psychology from West Virginia University in 2011.  He is an associate professor of psychology at Utah Valley University and his research interests include disability, health, aging, judgment and decision making, and program evaluation. Additionally he is the owner of Salt Lake Rental Properties, LLC.

Christine Cramer '05 earned a ScM in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University in 2009. She earned a PhD in Marriage, Family, and Human Development at Brigham Young University (BYU) in 2015. She is an adjunct faculty member at Community College of Baltimore County.

Pamela Naab '05 earned a MA in Social Psychology at Boston College in 2007, and a MA in Counseling Psychology from the same institution in 2012. She earned a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University in 2017. She is an assistant professor at Lasell University.

Liz O'Sullivan '05 earned a MA in Drama and Dramatics from National University of Ireland, Galway in 2019.  She is the Head of Drama, university lecturer,  and director of online education at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani.

Joshua Chiapelli '04 earned a MD from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2008, and completed his psychiatry residency at University of Maryland/Shepard Pratt in 2012. He is an assistant professor of psychiatry at UMD School of Medicine. His research interests include schizophrenia, stress pathophysiology, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. 

Kristen (Grabill) Benito '03 earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Florida in 2010. She is an assistant research professor at Brown University Medical School/Rhode Island Hospital.

Thomas Sherman '03 earned a MEd (Counseling and Human Services) from Lehigh University in 2005 and a PhD in Counselor Education from University of Virginia in 2011. He is a LMHC in Washington State (previously LPC in VA, LMHC in MD). He is manager of workforce management at Anthem, Inc. in the greater Seattle area and a contributing faculty member for Capella and Walden Universities for their clinical mental health programs.

Erin Howard '02  earned a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Lehigh University in 2008,  and completed a fellowship in clinical psychology at UC Davis Medical Center in 2009. A licensed psychologist in North Carolina since 2009, she is a clinical psychologist at Duke Raleigh Hospital and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. 

Wendy (Povistsky) Stickle '02 earned a MA and PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from UMCP in 2005 & 2009 respectively. She is the program director for the University of Maryland College Park Criminology and Criminal Justice Program at Shady Grove as well as a member at-large (former chair and vic-chair) on the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission. 

Aaron Norton '01 earned a MA in Psychology from University of California, Davis in 2007, and a PhD in Psychology from the same institution in 2014. He is a member of the core faculty for the School of Consciousness and Transformation at the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Alex Czopp '98 earned a MS in Social Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2001 and a PhD in Experimental Social Psychology from the same institution in 2004. After spending four years at the University of Toledo, he joined the Department of Psychology at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. He is an associate professor there teaching courses on social psychology, statistics, and research methods. His research examines issues related to stereotyping and prejudice.

Kara Donadlson '98 earned a JD from the University of Baltimore in 2002. She is an adjunct professor (at Anne Arundel Community College and The Catholic University of America) and works for the Office of the Public Defender. Kara also has a personal side business, Dynamic Properties and Contracting, LLC.

Timothy Herzog '98 earned a MEd in Counseling/Sport Psychology from Boston University in 2001, a MS in Clinical Psychology, from Loyola College in 2007, and an EdD in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University in 2011. He is self-employed as a counselor and mental performance coach for Reaching Ahead, LLC. Tim is also an adjunct faculty member for Saybrook University, co-teaching PhD courses and continuing education courses in psychophysiology and optimal functioning.  

Deborah Pollack '98 earned a M.A. in Psychology from Duquesne University in 2000, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Duquesne University in 2006. She is a assistant professor of psychology at Utica College. A qualitative researcher, her work is informed by a feminist-psychodynamic perspective. She is also a clinical assistant professor in the psychiatry department at SUNY Upstate Medical University and a clinical supervisor and instructor in the psychology department at Syracuse University.

"If any students are interested in Duquesne Univ, please have them contact me at deborah.pollack@gmail.com. I was a psych/phil double major and it was the perfect program for me - and I only found out about it on the recommendation of Dr. Glidden!"

Brian Doss '97 earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from UCLA in 2004. He is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Miami, Coral Gables. His research focuses on the effects of couple therapy and online relationship interventions such as www.OurRelationship.com.

Elisabeth Whitehead '97 earned a MFA in Poetry from University of Iowa in 2006. She is an assistant teaching professor for Wake Forest University.

Michael Rozalski '94  earned a MEd in Special Education from the University of South Carolina in 1999, and a MEd in Educational Research from the same institution in 2000. He went on to earn a PhD in Special Education (Research and College Teaching) from the University of South Carolina in  2001. He is an associate professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, & Educational Leadership at Binghamton University, where he teaches graduate level courses on how to educate students with behavior problems. His research interests include classroom and school-wide supports and legal issues related to students with disabilities. He is married to psyc alumna Brigid Cahill '94.

Micheal L. Dent '92 earned a MS in Integrative Neuroscience from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1996 and a PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2002. She is a professor of psychology and director of undergraduate studies at the University of Buffalo, SUNY. Her research investigates acoustic communication in animals.

Patrick Vargas '92 earned a MA in Social Psychology in 1994 from Ohio State University and a PhD in Social Psychology from the same institution in 1997. He spent a year as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia, and moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1998. Patrick is a professor of advertising, with appointments in the Department of Psychology, Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism, and the Institute for Communications Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Nandi [Sharon] Crosby '91 earned a MA in Africana Women's Studies from Clark Atlanta University in 1995, and a PhD in Sociology from Georgia State University in 1999. She is a professor of sociology/multicultural/women's studies at California State University, Chico.