NCE’s 2023-2024 fiscal year, illustrating how the College is following through with our commitment to the betterment of education on both a local and national level.
VOL. 14
ISPP NEWSLETTER
IN THE LOOP
Summer 2025
TAKE A MOMENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUMMER 2025 HIGHLIGHTS AND WHAT’S TO COME!
In this newsletter you can expect:
Welcome Message
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (ISPP) is designed to educate and train students to become effective health service
Since its founding in 1976, ISPP has continuously strived to provide excellent doctoral training in an APA-accredited, academically rigorous, and nurturing environment. We are proud of our 49 year legacy.
ISPP Assembly
Graduates and Interns
psychologists. ISPP aspires to develop
Conferences and Presentations
psychologists who have the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for successful clinical practice.
Current Student Spotlight
Faculty Announcements
Resources
Welcome Message from the Program Director VOL. 14
Leah Horvath, PhD Program Director, Associate Professor
Greetings, ISPP Community and Friends!
Once again – another summer is coming to an end. I hope this email finds you and yours in good health and finding the delights in your daily life. It’s been a challenging year (and then some) for many; finding joy and goodness is essential to our survival.
I hope this late summer issue of our ISPP newsletter will bring some delight your way!
In this issue, we celebrate our graduates and the graduating students who earned program awards. We send off our interns across the country – wishing them all the best as they start this next chapter of doctoral training (I can well remember starting my internship (more than) a few years ago...).We share the accomplishments of our student presenters at NLU Research Day and the ACEPT conference, and honor the work of alum Dr. Kinjal Panchal. We welcome two new faculty, and we spotlight our excellent PsyD student – outgoing ISPP Assembly President and current intern - Sarah Brill. So many good happenings in which to delight! And - in case you are looking for the perfect fall wear or accessories – check out our ISPP Merch! We have two options – one with the ISPP logo created by our student Tina Giordano: ISPP Logo Merch , and an I Heart ISPP option here . Both are sure to add a little delight to your day.
Sending my best to our ISPP community,
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ISPP Student Assembly
It is the mission of this organization to provide both personal and professional support and development opportunities to the students of ISPP at NLU. We aim to promote a strong community environment that facilitates student well-being, engagement, relationship building, and personal growth, with a focus on respect and dignity for all.
A big thank you to our ISPP Assembly, especially the outgoing President Clare McIntosh, for a fun and supportive end of the year celebration! All of the outgoing interns and graduates were honored, and students and faculty were given shout outs! Whether you are celebrating a milestone occasion or the end of the academic and training year, your daily dedication of hard work and commitment to the profession deserve many kudos!
Our Dissertation Excellence Award was awarded to Dr. Lynnette Wright Dr. Wright has been a perfect student through every step. She has been lovely to work with, but mostly because she knew her interests, pursued them, found amazing insights and sealed everything in ways that were probably one of my easiest mentor relationships. In terms of understanding reluctance among African Americans in therapy she, through regression equations, uncovered that some potential clients don't seek help because they are afraid they will be looked down about by therapists and therefore say “none of it is worth being dismissed by a therapist in this way”.
Please be on the lookout for ISPP Assembly elected positions to serve on the student body in the Fall!
Our ISPP Legacy Award was given to Dr. Azalia Torres This award is given to a graduating student who represents the spirit of ISPP. Azalia is a quiet fighter and leader. She is part of the cohort of students who came from the Argosy closure, she endured COVID shut- downs and uncertainty, the loss of peers and faculty, and a number of personal difficulties. Her path to degree completion has not been easy or smooth, but she has quietly kept progressing. There have been times when she had to rest and take care of herself or her family first. But she never gave up on her dream to complete her doctorate and to be able to serve her community as a psychologist. She represents the ISPP legacy of hope and resilience and community. Azalia is a true ISPP Legacy!
ISPP merchandise available now!
*Thank you to PsyD student Tina Giordano for creating the logo and shop!
I 💙 ISPP
Student Concerns Survey
Congratulations to our New Graduates! VOL. 14
We are proud to celebrate the 2025 PsyD graduates representing ISPP! The ceremony was held on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, at the Arie Crown Theater. Your dedication, resilience, and passion for the field of psychology will shape the profound impact you will all have as clinicians, advocates, and leaders in mental health.
Dr. Nicole Burlingame Dr. Janine Cednick Dr. Elizabeth Gomez Dr. Nicquelette Gregory Dr. Tatianna Johnson
Dr. Charmagne King Dr. Evan Miller Dr. Azalia Torres Dr. Lynnette Wright
Also in the ceremony were ISPP doctoral students awarded their Masters in Clinical Psychology. Congratulations!
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Congratulations to the new interns!
Congratulations on beginning this exciting chapter of your doctoral journey! This is a significant step forward in applying your expertise and skills in the field of psychology. The experiences and insights gained during this time will be invaluable as you continue to grow and make meaningful contributions. Best wishes for a rewarding and impactful internship experience ahead!
Aaleiyah Spaulding Florida State Hospital Amy LaBlonde
Frances Montejano Mental Health Center of Florida Hannah Archos Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Richmond, VA Jabari Johnson University of Buffalo, Counseling Center Kylie Schmidt Will County Health Department Sarah Brill University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Clinical Psychology Sheila Burgess Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Richmond, VA Taylor Williams Federal Corrections Center – Terre Haute, IN
Illinois Psychological Association Psychology Internship Consortium – Center for Personal Growth Angela Ferdinardo Bureau of Prisons, Springfield, MO Asia Hall Connections Internship Consortium- New Connections Braa Elkhidir Federal Corrections Center – Terre Haute, IN Clare McIntosh Federal Medical Center – Lexington, KY Elena Goodman National Psychology Training Consortium – Central – Royal Oaks Eva Valdez Malcom Grow Medical Clinics & Surgery Center - USAF
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ACEPT Conference
Congratulations to the students who presented research posters at the ACEPT conference in May 2025! Great work sharing your knowledge and representing ISPP!
Jack Baruch, Oliva Bowen and Jenna Taylor The Impact of Gifted Courses on Adolescent Perception and Identity
Jake Becker and Shay Brakastor Parental Locus of Control: Exploring the Impact on Parental and Child Outcomes in Chronic Pediatric Conditions
Calvin Czapko Psychedelics, Pathology and Prosociality: Proposing a New Model
Isabel Vayser Exploring the Psychological Impact of Food Allergies: Supporting Children and Their Families Through Integrated Care
Amelia Larsen (Not Pictured) The Cognitive Impacts of Trauma and its Presentation in City Colleges of Chicago Students
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NLU Doctoral Symposium
The National Louis University Doctoral Research Symposium is an annual virtual event that showcases the outstanding scholarship and research conducted by NLU's doctoral candidates from multiple disciplines, including a live alumni panel discussion and oral presentations by doctoral candidates. The 2025 symposium was held on May 15, 2025.
Congratulations to our ISPP Dissertation presenters!
Janine Cednick-Madigan Navigating Emotional Transitions: A Study of Self-Perception and Emotion in Bio-Childfree Individuals Entering a Blended Family Nicquelette Gregory Patterns and Predictors of Healthcare Utilization among Police Officers Charmagne King The Correlation between Depression and Gendered Racism among Black Women
Amy LaBlonde Sensory Processing Difficulties and their Impact on Social Skills and Behavioral Responses Evan Miller One Step Closer to Greater Understanding! Does a Correlation Exist between Fluid Intelligence and Player Rank in League of Legends? Azalia Torres A Narrative Perspective on Intergenerational Trauma
The National Louis University Dissertation and Capstone Poster Galley Session is an annual virtual event that showcases all graduate students who are working on capstone projects or dissertations. The 2025 poster gallery session was held on May 30, 2025. Congratulations to our ISPP presenters! NLU Dissertation and Capstone Poster Galley Session VOL. 14
Nashali Miranda-Cardona Perception on Seeking Professional Support among Graduate Students Who Experience Grief: An Exploration of Culture and Experiences Ana Perez Familismo: Exploring a Culturally Sensitive Correlation Between Parentification and Relationship Satisfaction Among 1 Generation Mexican-American Adults Through an Attachment Theory Lens st Maninder Singh Navigating Shame & Guilt: A Qualitative Study of Gender Specific Experiences Within the South Asian Community in North America
Student/Faculty Presentation
Congratulations to PsyD Student Maggie Sackinsky who presented at the SCRA biennial conference with Dr. Brad Olson, her dad Brian Sackinsky, and colleagues. The title of their presentation was “Fostering Athletes Ecological Well-Being: A Community Psychology Perspective on Youth Sports, Coaching, and Mental Health”
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ISPP Current Student Spotlight: Sarah Brill
Sarah Brill, MA (She/Her) 5th Year Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Sarah will be completing the pre-doctoral internship at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine! She has also presented globally, nationally, regionally, and locally on the intersection between neuropsychology and health.
How did you get interested in psychology? My journey to psychology was less about discovering something new and more about returning to what had always driven me: human behavior, resilience, and the connection between mind and body. I began my career managing clinical practices and supporting healthcare delivery from the administrative side. Though meaningful, I felt increasingly drawn to be more directly involved in patient care. I wanted to support not just treatment plans, but also the emotional weight of illness through holistic and compassionate care.
That desire led me to pursue psychology.
Looking back, the foundation was always there. I spent years as a competitive ballet dancer, where discipline, body awareness, and recovery were not just physical practices, they were emotional ones too. That same philosophy continues to shape my life through Pilates and functional strength training, reinforcing the value of movement, regulation, and intentional living. I’ve come to view longevity not just as a physical goal, but as a psychological one. It encompasses the ability to sustain ourselves, adapt, and thrive across life’s changing demands. Equally formative was my early captivation with science. My undergraduate work in biology and chemistry, paired with hands-on paleontology field research in the mountains, sparked a deep curiosity about how systems evolve, break down, and adapt over time. Excavating fossils taught me how to ask meaningful questions, interpret complex data, and stay present in the process of slow, deliberate discovery. These skills now serve me in both research and clinical practice. My early scientific work evolved into a passion for psychological inquiry – how stress impacts health, how belief shapes behavior, and how we can use evidence to design more compassionate, effective interventions. These threads: movement, science, and the human experience, all came together for me in psychology. Health psychology, in particular, offered the opportunity to integrate my interests in the mind-body connection, apply research in real-world settings, and approach care with both scientific depth and emotional presence.
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ISPP Current Student Spotlight: Sarah Brill
What has been the most rewarding part of your training thus far?
Please tell us about a recent accomplishment that’s meaningful to you.
The most rewarding part of my training has been the opportunity to operate at the intersection of medicine and psychology at Loyola University Medical Center. I had the opportunity to work across services ranging from transplant and bariatric surgery to trauma, neurology, and general medicine conducting bedside interventions, delivering outpatient therapy, and completing comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations— all while navigating the dynamic interplay of psychological and physiological health. Beyond the clinical diversity, I learned how to present cases to respected interdisciplinary teams and advocate for patients in high-stakes medical review boards. It was truly wonderful to see relationships build across disciplines and bring psychology into spaces where it's commonly underrepresented. One of the most meaningful takeaways has been gaining an appreciation for scope of practice. More specifically, knowing when to lead, when to collaborate, and when to consult. Working with such an expansive and skilled team has helped me develop humility, insight, and a clearer understanding of what collaborative care looks like in a fast-paced medical environment. Just as impactful has been the mentorship I’ve received. My supervisors have modeled clinical rigor, ethical leadership, and relational depth. They didn’t just shape my clinical skills, they inspired the kind of psychologist, mentor, and leader I want to become. Their influence reinforced my desire to build a career that blends direct patient care, mentorship, teaching, and research in an academic medical setting.
I’m incredibly humbled to share that my research was accepted for presentation at the World Transplant Congress 2025. I will share findings from a study examining how perceived helplessness and self-efficacy contribute to psychological distress among liver transplant candidates. These individuals face extraordinary medical and psychological challenges, yet their experiences remain underrepresented in the literature. Many face stigma secondary to substance use, psychiatric comorbidities, or socioeconomic hardship; factors that not only complicate care but contribute to their invisibility in psychological research. This project reflects the patients I’ve had the privilege to serve, the mentorship that has shaped me, and my deepening commitment to advocacy, both in the scientific literature and in the way care is delivered. This work also informed my dissertation on stress mindset and transplant readiness, and has directly contributed to matching at the Transplant Behavioral Medicine Track at UNC School of Medicine for internship which is exactly where I hoped to be (even if, at one point, I felt it might be out of reach). Being selected for this track feels like a celebration of my training and a powerful affirmation that my contributions in this field are meaningful. I’m proud to present this work on an international stage, and even more excited to continue building a career grounded in advocacy, scientific rigor, and patient-centered care.
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Alum News: Dr. Kinjal Panchal, PsyD
Dr. Kinjal Panchal, PsyD (She/Her) Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Kinjal Panchal - ISPP Alum and Associate Professor - was selected as part of the 12th Cohort of Leadership Development Institute (LDI) Fellows of the Coalition of National Racial Ethnic Psychological Associations (CONREPA). Dr. Panchal represents the Asian American Psychological Association. This is a wonderful opportunity that recognizes Dr. Panchal’s leadership and advocacy and furthers her development as an outstanding psychologist leader!
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Panchal!
New Core Faculty Member: Dr. Erica Pinney, PhD VOL. 14
Dr. Erica Pinney, PhD (She/They) Licensed Psychologist
Erica Pinney, PhD completed their M.Ed. in Community Counseling and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. They completed undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Religious Studies from Arizona State University. Dr. Pinney completed her pre-doctoral internship at Lake Forest College’s Health and Wellness Center and post-doctoral fellowship at Northeastern Illinois University’s Student Counseling Services. Their areas of clinical passion, interest, and specialization include working with clients who have experienced interpersonal, political, immigration, and racial trauma as well as LGBTQIA+ identity development, family and relationship concerns, college adjustment, insomnia, and anxiety. Their research interests echo these clinical interests and focus on racial trauma including microaggression and institutional racism, therapist development, training and well-being, and scale development.
Welcome Dr. Pinney to our ISPP community!
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New Core Faculty Member: Dr. Imuentiyan Igbinosun, PsyD
Dr. Imuentiyan Igbinosun, PsyD (She/Her) Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Imuentiyan Igbinosun earned her Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) with a concentration in Military Psychology from Adler University in Chicago, IL, and her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago, IL. She currently practices in private practice, where she works with individuals presenting with depression, anxiety, trauma-related concerns, personality disorders, interpersonal challenges, identity exploration, and LGBTQIA+ related issues. She is extensively trained in psychoanalytic interventions and is certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Igbinosun brings significant teaching experience as an adjunct faculty member at Albizu University in Miami, FL, Daley College within the City Colleges of Chicago system, and the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University. In these roles, she has taught courses in psychology and clinical practice, demonstrating a strong commitment to mentorship, academic excellence, and professional development. Dr. Igbinosun’s research interests center on resilience and its role in reducing the negative psychological impacts of trauma. She is particularly focused on how resilience- based approaches can foster long-term healing and empower individuals to navigate adversity with strength, adaptability, and a deeper sense of self. Areas of Expertise: Psychoanalysis, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure-Based Interventions for Anxiety Disorders, and Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based, Cognitive- Behavioral Therapies, Trauma-Informed Therapies, and Assessments.
Welcome Dr. Igbinosun to our ISPP community!
Get Involved! Membership & Workgroup VOL. 14
American Association of Graduate Students (APAGS)
APAGS is a division within the American Psychological Association (APA) dedicated to representing and addressing the needs of graduate students in psychology. APAGS provides resources, support, and advocacy for psychology graduate students to help them succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.
Get Involved: https://www.apa.org/apags/governance
Resources: https://www.apa.org/apags/resources
Resource Guide for Psychology Graduate Students of Color: https://www.apa.org/apags/resources/eth nic-minority-guide
Antiracism & Intersectionality and Workgroup
All are encouraged and welcome to join us as we host an open conversation on race, racism, and the intersectionality of gender and gender identity. We meet every Wednesday at 7pm CST.
LINK https://nl.zoom.us/j/92136874153
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The Thrive Center
National Louis University believes ALL students can THRIVE through the advocacy of an inclusive campus and the support of a caring community, where students feel a sense of belonging and empowerment to not only be academically successful, but thrive personally and professionally.
https://nl.edu/student-services/food-pantry-and-thrive-resources/campus-and- community-resources/
Single Stop As we begin the academic year, the Thrive Center is encouraging for staff and faculty to promote this excellent service. Single Stop is a one-stop application that provides all resources available to individual needs from housing, healthcare, education, financing, and much more!
Volunteer Opportunities With our partnership with the Chicago Food Depository and other incredible events, the Thrive Center invites everyone to sign up for volunteer opportunities across the year. Pick a Date on Our Calendar
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Additional Support and Resources
Counseling & Wellness Center (122-Rm. 3013)
In crisis? Text “START” to 741-741 or call 988
They have also partnered with UWill for FREE immediate access to teletherapy, a 24/7 crisis support line, telemedicine support, and various wellness programs— all easily accessible through Uwill’s user- friendly online platform. Students receive up to 10 sessions.
NLU’s Counseling & Wellness center offers in-person and virtual session with a counseling intern or licensed clinician! This is FREE for students!
Activate your account today! Www.UWill.com
Learning Support
The Food & Hygiene Pantry (18-Rm. 526)
NLU’s Learning Support provide personalized tutoring (both virtually and onsite) in writing, math, computer science, and English-language learning (ELL/ESL support); coordinate with faculty to support student learning; host workshops and events to prepare students for major assessments; create and curate help guides and tutorials; and advocate for equitable educational access.
NLU’s food and hygiene pantry provides resources to help sutdents overcome the basic-needs barriers that impeded their academic success, physical health, and social emotional life.
HTTPS://NL.EDU/STUDENT-SERVICES/FOOD-PANTRY- AND-THRIVE-RESOURCES/CAMPUS-AND-COMMUNITY- RESOURCES/
https://nl.edu/learning-support/
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Additional Support and Resources
Help Hotlines
Help and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (Call or Text) The Trevor Project: Text 678-678 or call 866-488-7348 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453 Elder Abuse Hotline: 800-252-8966 National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders: 847-831-3438 National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE National Runaway Safeline: 800-786-2929 Crime Victims Hotline (Stalking): 866-689-HELP Alcohol Abuse and Crisis Intervention: 800-234-0246 National Safe Haven Alliance Crisis Hotline: 888-510-BABY Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255
Looking for a therapist?
https://www.nami.org/ https://locator.apa.org/ https://openpathcollective.org/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Thank you for reading!
ISPP @ NLU
SUMMER 2025
18 S MICHIGAN AVE.
UP NEXT: FALL 2025, VOL. 15
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