Meet from Campus Representative Katie Greatti from Marymount University.  She is in the Forensic and Legal Psychology Program and doing a stellar job as Campus Rep!
 
What are your research and clinical interests?
My interests lie in advocacy for racial justice as well as in forensic social work
 
What interested you in becoming a CR?
I became interested in working as a CR, when I joined AP-LS last year. I wanted to be able to further my knowledge base and become a larger part of an organization whose goals were similar to mine. 
 
How did you come up with the idea for your goal/initiative/event?
With elections and new court cases every day, the issue of race is not going away. I found that this would be a great topic to add diversity to the education that Marymount is already providing. 
 
What advice do you have for future CRs?
I would tell future CRs to choose a topic that truly interests you and follow it. I have found that if I am working towards something I believe in, the more that my presentation will resonate with my audience.
 
Tell us a fun fact about yourself, grad school-related or not grad school-related!
I am a bit of a bleeding heart and I would own a farm if I could. I would use it to rescue animals that most people wouldn't want. I currently own a 14-year-old black lab who is blind. She is my constant side kick and keeps me sane! 
 
For her initiative as Campus Rep, Katie hosted an event called “Getting Uncomfortable:  Talking about Race and the Criminal Justice System.”  She provided attendees with the opportunity to view the documentary Race to Execution and listen to a panel discussion afterward.  This was an incredible idea, Katie! 

Thank you for being an awesome Campus Rep!

​Meet Campus Representative Emily Pica from Carleton University! 
Name: Emily Pica
School: Carleton University
Program: Psychology, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology
Research Interests: Examining ways to improve eyewitness identification accuracy
Fun-fact: I am a strong supporter and advocate for pit bull type dogs

Emily’s initiative was running an eyewitness identification study with local high schools followed by a brief presentation.  The presentation included causes of wrongful convictions, eyewitness identification issues, and the different programs that Carleton University offers, as well as potential careers these programs may lead to. 

Amazing job, Emily! 
​ Keep up the fantastic work!

Meet Campus Representative Christopher Altman from Florida International University!  He is in the Legal Psychology Program and doing an awesome job as Campus Rep!  Keep up the fantastic work, Chris!
 
What are your research and clinical interests?
           - Variables effecting eyewitness memory and identifications.
           - Main focus is on intoxicated witnesses' abilities to recall events and make identifications.

What interested you in becoming a CR?
           - Seemed like a great networking opportunity and chance to learn more about the field.

How did you come up with the idea for your goal/initiative/event?
           - We already had weekly brown bag meetings where it was suggested we take some time before AP-LS to go over our talks/posters and get the faculty members' feedback. 

Everyone is practicing their talks for AP-LS!  Great idea, Chris!

​What are your research interests?
I am interested in adolescents who are involved with the juvenile justice system.  I have examined juvenile probation practice in two states (IN & PA).  In one study, we examined how juvenile probation officers function as gatekeepers to mental health care.  In the more recent project, we examined how juvenile probation officers incorporate information about exposure to traumatic events and traumatic stress symptoms when scoring risk and needs assessment tools and formulating case plans.  
 
What are your clinical interests?
I am interested in participating in community-based treatments for justice-involved youth in the future. I use a structural family systems approach when conducting individual and family psychotherapy.  I'm currently externing at Bronx Lebanon Hospital where I work on an inpatient unit and complete standard cognitive and personality assessments as well as suicide risk assessments with children, adolescents, and adults.  Next year, I will be externing at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Hospital doing assessment with adult offenders who have been found not competent to stand trial.
 
What interested you in becoming a CR?
I was approached by a more senior student in the Forensic Track at Fordham to take over the position for her.  I was interested in networking and getting undergraduate students excited about Forensic Psychology!
 
How did you come up with the idea for your goal/initiative/event?
I collaborate with my AP-LS faculty advisor, Dr. Barry Rosenfeld, to brainstorm ideas.  We have been collaborating with the Fordham University Psychology Club executive board (special shout out to Katie Melz!) to co-sponsor events.  After coming up with a few ideas, I'll run them past the Psych Club board and see what they think.
 
What advice do you have for future CRs?
My advice would be to plan early!  Think about what initiatives/events would be interesting/exciting to you and if you can't get excited about it, then it will probably be a dud with undergrads.  I have found that events which involve visiting an actual site (such as the Bronx Court House) and meeting with professionals who work in the system (e.g. Judges and Forensic Psychologists) have been most successful.
 
Tell us a fun fact about yourself, grad school-related or not grad school-related!
One fun fact is that I love basketball and use national college recruiting as a procrastination technique!