02
SPRING 2026 • VOLUME 16
A MESSAGE FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR Leah Horvath, PhD PROGRAM DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Greetings, ISPP Community and Friends!
We are heading into the busy season – though most of the seasons of the doctoral program and graduate student life are busy! But the transition from spring to summer also brings transitions and endings for many in our community. Our first-year students transition from being new students who feel they don’t know anything to knowledgeable doctoral students ready to take on peer mentees and embark on their diagnostic practicum. Our more senior students are ready to transition from practicum student to intern. And our internship cohort is ready to transition from trainee to doctor! All of this will be happening over the coming months. But at this moment, we can take a pause. We can breathe, reflect, and be present in the moment. Perhaps skimming through our ISPP newsletter will be your chance to pause, reflect on your own doctoral program experience, and appreciate that time in your life. I hope you enjoy reading the ISPP happenings and the lovely people included in this edition. Turn to page 6 to see our students and faculty in action at the Midwest Psychological Association conference. Read thoughts and reflections from our current student spotlight on page 8 – Stephan Oliveira (moving from second to third year student this summer!), and turn to page 10 to hear from Dr. Winley – our featured doctoral graduate. On page 5, we’ve shared some photos from the Illinois Psychological Association’s Advocacy Day. I am particularly proud and excited to share that the ISPP program now has a required Advocacy Psychology course. We offered the first section during the winter semester – the students and I learned so much together and from our wonderful guest speakers, including ISPP alum Dr. Sharon Pinto Khurana. I encouraged students to join me at the 2nd Annual IPA Advocacy Day event in Springfield. We had a great experience! Seeing our students passionate and excited about advocacy brings me hope and joy!
Current Students — We’re In Need of Peer Mentors!
https://forms.gle/VM5W2D4qt BDgHH2s8
The ISPP Peer Mentoring Program is run by the ISPP Student Assembly, and pairs established ISPP students with peers who are newer to the program. The role of a peer mentor is to provide support, encouragement, and information to a fellow student throughout their time at ISPP. Please fill out this survey if you are interested in being paired up!
Sending my best to our ISPP community,
Leah
(312) 261-3036
www.nl.edu
Chicago, IL
Powered by FlippingBook