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University of Cincinnati


School Psychology

Renee earned a PhD with the School Psychology program in 2005. Originally from Assonet, MA, she currently lives in Cincinnati, OH. We asked her to reflect on past experiences with EPC and discuss where she’s at now. Read her responses below.

Current Occupation

Associate Professor & Program Coordinator
School Psychology Program
University of Cincinnati (UC)

I conduct applied research in local schools identifying effective interventions to meet the needs of struggling students, particularly students with emotional and behavioral disorders; supervise graduate students completing practicum experiences; teach courses in academic assessment and intervention, behavior research methods, and disabilities and disorders in childhood; mentor doctoral students in research and professional practice; and provide leadership for the program, including coordinating accreditation.

Awards and Accomplishments Earned as a Student

As a student, I actively participated in research teams and was able to graduate with a strong publication record. I also took advantage of teaching opportunities to develop my skills as an instructor.

Accomplishments since Graduating

I am very proud of the contributions I have made to the School Psychology program at UC over the past 11 years. Through my role as program coordinator, I facilitated our program accreditation by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, expanded program-community partnerships and field placements for students, and helped revise the doctoral program to better align with national accreditation standards for training in professional psychology.

Personal Interests

I have been married to my husband, James, for over 12 years now and we have three little boys, ages 3, 6, and 8, who keep us very busy!

What sold you on this program/department/university?

When I visited UT as I was making my admissions decision, I was impressed with both the professional accomplishments of the faculty and the program climate. The faculty were all so welcoming, as were the students. It was clear that the program was collaborative, that faculty really knew and cared about the students, and that the students felt supported and were happy.

What would you tell an incoming/current student in the program/department?

I would encourage students at UT to take advantage of all the opportunities that the program provides you! The faculty includes national figures in school psychology who have made significant scholarly contributions to the field. As a former student of Chris Skinner, Bob Williams, and Steve McCallum, and a professional colleague of Merilee McCurdy, I can attest that each is dedicated to sharing their expertise with you to help you grow professionally and meet your goals.

How did your experiences as a student help you in your professional/personal life after graduation?

My experiences at UT prepared me not only for success on my pre-doctoral internship at Girls and Boys Town but also for my role as a faculty member. The program provided me with opportunities to develop my skills for psychological practice, teaching, and research – all of which are a part of my professional life. In particular, the research and teaching experiences I had as a doctoral student made me competitive for a faculty job upon graduation.

Personally, I made life-long friendships during graduate school and also met my husband! I always look forward to catching up with my cohort and we will always be connected by our experiences at UT.

“I am so grateful for the mentorship the faculty at UT provided to me as a student and that they continued to provide as I started my career. It is a top-notch program that open doors for graduates!”