.We asked the members of the 2023-2024 Student Committee to answer some questions about themselves to help you get to know who they are and what they do.

What is your school, program, and year? 
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Clinical Psychology PhD, 4th year.

Why psychology and the law?
I first realized this field existed when I took an anthro/psych/soc class in high school; when I found out about the intersectionality of these disciplines with the legal system, I was hooked. I originally wanted to be a forensic anthropologist but I realized 1) physical sciences are NOT for me and 2) psychology is just way cooler than anthropology. Now, I love it for being a field that can make individualized and system-wide differences simultaneously.

What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
The research. I have a great mentor/advisor (Dr. Georgia Winters) who is extremely supportive and accommodating. I love being part of a lab that allows me to engage in research on the topics I am interested in, and am always motivated knowing that the work we are doing will make a positive impact.

If you were not in graduate school what would you do? 
I'd be an event planner - I love putting together themed parties & get togethers!

What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school? 
Only apply to places you will be happy! You will get some no's (maybe a lot of no's...) but you will land where you should. Be patient & put in the work in advance.

Coffee or tea?
Tea. I am a tea fiend.

Cats or dogs?
Dogs - especially dachshunds (trust me on this - they are HILARIOUS).

What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Driven. Organized. Sarcastic.
 
What is on the top of your bucket list?
Travel to places that make it feel like you are on another planet (next up: Wadi Rum, Jordan).
 
What is the worst song, in your opinion?
Happy by Pharrell. Possibly an unpopular option but it was SO overplayed (and repetitive).

What is the weirdest thing in your home?
I still have some of my dog's baby teeth... *immediately realizes that is horrifying and goes to throw them out.*

Is cheesecake actually cheese pie?
Yes.
 
Explain your hot take on cheesecake.
Yes BUT - it depends on the dish used. If you make it in a pie plate? It's a pie. A cake pan? A cake. A square/brownie pan? It's a brownie

by Morgan Wagner (2023-2024 Campus Rep. Coordinator)

Going to a conference can be stressful – whether it’s your first or fifteenth time, here are some tips to get the most out of your conference experience while maintaining your sanity!

Before you leave
Make sure you pack clothes you will be comfortable in, both physically and emotionally. Conference days are long, and you don’t want to be in an itchy top, uncomfortable pants, or shoes that pinch. You also want to be confident and professional. Bring clothes that help you do all those things (and if you can get it all in a carry-on, even better!).

Bring business cards, or something with your name, affiliation, and contact information. This is super helpful when you connect with others at talks, social events, or poster sessions to give them your information without having to search for a pen and paper! Bringing something like this will be especially helpful if you are giving a talk or presenting a poster, as you can connect later with people who are interested in your research.

If you are presenting a poster, get a cloth poster (instead of paper). This will save you the hassle of traveling with a large tube of paper, and is less prone to rips, crinkles, and folded edges. I personally use this website to print my posters. It costs about $25 and takes 2-3 weeks to create and ship. The Performance Pique fabric is wrinkle-proof – perfect for stuffing in a suitcase with the rest of your clothes!

During the Conference
Attend poster sessions! They have a more casual vibe compared to the rest of your day, they have free food, and there is a research area for everyone to enjoy. These sessions are a great way to network with people whose research you are interested in, as well as to learn about other areas in the field. Another great way to get a taste of many research topics is at a data blitz. In these sessions, you can get a broad overview of research questions in specific areas in a short period of time – perfect for those looking to explore a new area within the field!