UNL Department of Psychology

08/27/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Dave Hansen on his retirement, we were so happy to celebrate with him! He will be very missed in our department.

Dave has been such an integral part of the Psychology Department, we want to honor his legacy by fundraising for the next generation of leaders. See the I❤DJH campaign here: https://fundraise.nufoundation.org/campaign/816831/donate

Thank you so much to everyone who has already contributed.

08/19/2026

Congratulations to our 27 undergraduates and 14 graduate students who graduated with Psychology degrees last weekend!
🎓🧠

08/05/2026

Congratulations to Ashley Votruba!

Congratulations to the these faculty for being selected for the Office of Research and Innovation’s Research Leaders Program!

Kelsy Burke, sociology
Huijing Du, mathematics
Colin Meiklejohn, biological sciences
Heather Richards-Rissetto, global integrative studies (anthropology)
Robert Streubel, physics and astronomy
Ashley Votruba, psychology
Ng’ang’a Wahu-Muchiri, English

Details: go.unl.edu/uta4

Nebraska Department of Sociology University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics Nebraska School of Biological Sciences UNL Anthropology University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Physics and Astronomy UNL Department of Psychology UNL Department of English

07/21/2026

We are so grateful for the contributions to the I ❤️ DJH Fund! Supporting this fund empowers Psychology students, faculty, and staff to become leaders and change-makers. Let's come together to raise $25,000 in July and take a significant step towards endowing this fund, honoring Dave Hansen's remarkable legacy. Every contribution counts, and with your help, we can make it happen!
https://fundraise.nufoundation.org/campaign/816831/donate

07/08/2026

The Department of Psychology is proud to introduce a new way to honor outstanding faculty member Dave Hansen and support department efforts to foster leadership and service in our students and faculty. The I ❤️ DJH Fund honors Dave Hansen's legacy of leadership and service in the department, university, community, and profession.

Dave Hansen’s career has been defined by extraordinary leadership, deep commitment to others, and lasting service to the Department of Psychology and well beyond. In honor of his gifted leadership and service, this campaign will provide leadership and service support for students, faculty, and department-wide leadership initiatives, including professional development, support of workshops and visiting speakers, conference travel, department awards for exceptional leadership and service, support for leadership and service mentoring and training activities, and other key leadership and service activities.

Please help us support the next generation of leaders!
https://fundraise.nufoundation.org/campaign/816831/donate

06/11/2026

Congratulations to everyone honored at the Department Awards Ceremony last month! We are so proud of the caliber of faculty and students that make up this amazing department. Also a big thank you to Dr. Sarah Evans for her work in organizing the ceremony.

Check out a showcase of the recipients: go.unl.edu/psycawards2026

Nebraska College of Arts and Sciences

06/05/2026

Congratulations to Hillary Schwarb who has earned a University of Nebraska Collaborative Initiative grant to investigate healthy aging with colleague Madhur Mangalam of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)!

Decline in balance and memory in older adults frequently co-occur but are typically studied and treated independently. This collaborative project seeks to remedy this gap by leveraging strengths in cognitive neuroscience here at UNL and biomechanics at UNO into a comprehensive investigation of a unified, brain-centered framework for understanding concurrent declines in mobility and cognition as we age.

Details: go.unl.edu/byna

05/11/2026

Huge congratulations to our Psychology majors, minors, and graduate students who graduated on Saturday! We are so proud of you, and we can't wait to hear about all of the great things you will accomplish.

Recent grads: We'd love to know what your next steps are! Whether you're starting a new job, continuing your education, or still exploring options, you can help us keep up-to-date about our Psychology grads here: https://nebraska.12twenty.com/Login

And a special shoutout to our Psychology graduate students. Thank you for all of your hard work and your contribution to our department!

Master of Arts (MA)

- Jacey Lynn Anderberg, Yankton, SD
- Lucia Marie Fetkenhour, Rochester, NY
- Carolina Garcia, Sioux Falls, SD
- Molly Kathryn Griffin, Wadsworth, OH
- Elizabeth Malousek, Ashland, NE
- Theresa Ngan Hoang Nguyen, San Diego, CA
- Meghan Kathleen O’Brien, North Kingstown, RI
- Kara Louise Stevens, Oshkosh, WI

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

- Amanda Elizabeth Baildon, Suffield, CT; Dissertation: A Daily Assessment of Food and Alcohol Disturbance and Alcohol Intoxication as Predictors of Sexual Violence Victimization. Advised by Professor Sarah Gervais

- Alexi Noelle Cranford, East Peoria, IL; Dissertation: The Relationship of Concussion and Alcohol Use: An Investigation into Intervening Cognitive Mechanisms. Advised by Professor Dennis McChargue.

- Isabel Renata Kees Kuebler, Brookings, SD; Dissertation: Glucose on the Brain: Relationships Among Glucose Sensing Melanin-concentrating Hormone Neuronal Activity, Sugar, and Drug Intake, and Brain Glucose. Advised by Professor Ken Wakabayashi.

- London Maria Wolff, Portland, OR; Dissertation: Unleashing Stress: The Effects of Training, Bond Strength, and Stress on Pet Dog Behavior. Advised by Professor Tierney Lorenz.

Congratulations again, Huskers!

04/09/2026

Congratulations to Manda Williamson!

Congratulations to our faculty and staff being recognized for their achievements during the 2025-2026 academic year! 👏

Details: go.unl.edu/nb7c

UNL Department of English University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Chemistry University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Physics and Astronomy Nebraska School of Biological Sciences UNL Anthropology University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of History University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute for Ethnic Studies Nebraska Department of Sociology UNL Department of Psychology