Psychology Alumni

The Psychology Department at Rockhurst University aspires to demonstrate to people the utility of psychological science as a foundation for their personal and professional lives. This basic goal directs the ways in which the department's faculty works with students. Both in the classroom and out, students are encouraged to participate in activities designed to promote the development of the following abilities:

• Critical thinking and reasoning
• Identifying and evaluating sources of information
• Asking questions from a psychological perspective and developing methods for answering those questions
• Communicating with others the benefits of knowing about Psychology

To find out more about our program, including information about our courses and faculty, explore our pages.

Updates from some of our alumni:

Kathy (Kennedy) Beabout
May 2005
BA - Psychology/Theology

Accomplishments since graduating:

Educational:  I plan to begin work on my master’s degree in autumn 2008.  Since graduating from Rockhurst University, I have found a wonderful career path as a survey analyst for a consulting firm.  I assisted in writing the 2006 Industry Trend Report for MSA|Clark Consulting – Healthcare Group.  This Trend Report was distributed to potential clients at a national seminar for Healthcare Human Resource executives.

Personal:  Immediately following graduation, I got a puppy!  His name is Merlin and he’s adorable.  Merlin is now two years old and a momma’s boy.  He won’t do anything without me! 

Last summer (in 2006) I went on a safari to Africa with my boyfriend and his family.  It was wonderful and I even learned some Swahili.  “Hibari Acho?”  (I have no idea if that’s spelled right) means “How are you?”  
            
Shortly after Kevin and I returned from Africa, we got engaged.  Our wedding will be in June of 2008 here in Kansas City.  Kevin is a musician and he is currently working on getting his degree in audio engineering. 

All in all, life is pretty darn good right now! A new Beabout is on the way!

Current Position:
Survey Analyst for MSA|Clark Consulting – Healthcare Group

MSA|Clark Consulting – Healthcare Group is a consulting firm located on The Plaza in Kansas City.  We specialize in improving the operations of healthcare organizations around the country.  One of the ways we achieve this is through surveying employees of these organizations to find where the organization excels and where it has opportunities for improvement.  As a survey analyst, I work closely with the consultant to create a survey to fit the organization’s unique goals.   Once the survey has been created and administered, I analyze the results and provide them to the consultant for feedback to the client.  I also assist in developing our industry trend reports which highlight current trends within healthcare.

Personal Statement:
My psychology degree has been immeasurably helpful in the past couple years as I have developed my reputation in my field.  Rockhurst’s professors strive to get their students to think critically.  Their focus on research has given me the ability to think critically about both the research I do and read.  This key quality, coupled with the excellent education I received has helped me to excel.

If you have questions please contact me at: Kennedy_KA@hotmail.com

Laura (Schudel) Reiland

Graduation Date: May 2001
Degree: B. A. in Psychology

Educational

After graduating from Rockhurst with a bachelor's degree in psychology (in May 2001), I entered the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Kansas and received a master's degree (in May 2003).  Following that, I worked briefly as a counselor at a residential clinic for eating disorders until I got full-time employment as an educational diagnostician for a school district.  While working for the school district, I enrolled at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where I received an educational specialist degree (Ed.S.) in School Psychology (in May 2006). Currently, I am a certified School Psychologist with the Fort Zumwalt School District in O'Fallon, MO.

Personal:

I have been happily married since June 2008 and feel so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family in my life. My husband (Kevin) and I have a puppy named Baxter who is our little baby. He is a mini golden doodle and is so loving and playful. He brings us joy every day. Kevin and I have 10 nieces and nephews and are very close with all of them. In my spare time, I enjoy scrapbooking, camping, reading, watching movies and playing games. 

Current Position:

School psychologist for the Fort Zumwalt School District in O'Fallon, MO.

My primary role right now as a school psychologist is conducting psycho-educational evaluations in order to determine if students qualify for special education services. However, the field of school psychology is moving (slowly) towards a model which would expand our roles so that we spend more time working with teachers in order to assist them in implementing research-based interventions with "at-risk" students before we evaluate them for special education. If interested, you can learn more about this model by googling "Response to Intervention." This career is a great fit for me and I am really enjoying it! If you like working with kids/students, enjoy assessment and research, value education, possess strong organizational and time-management skills, and possess good social skills, then you might want to consider this career. Also, a HUGE perk (in my opinion) to this career is the work schedule. My work day is from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with a 30 minute lunch Monday through Friday. And I never take work home with me. Not to mention that I get summers off, spring break, and two weeks off for Christmas!!

Personal Statement:

My psychology degree from Rockhurst has provided the foundation for my career. The value of research and the ability to think critically (which are taught by the psychology professors at Rockhurst) are extremely important if you are interested in pursuing a career in the field of psychology.

If you have questions for me, please contact me at: Reiland, Laura [LReiland@fz.k12.mo.us]

Anna (Struckman) Fritz

Graduation Date: May 2002

Degree:  B.A. Psychology

Education

1998—Bellevue East High School

2002—B.A. Psychology, Rockhurst University

2006-Ed.S. School Psychology, University of Kansas

Employment:

After completing my B.A. in Psychology at Rockhurst, I spent a year working as a Behavioral Health Technician in a psychiatric hospital and residential treatment program.  This gave me time to determine what I wanted to study.  While working, I applied to the School Psychology program at the University of Kansas and was accepted.

I started the program at KU in August 2003 and completed the required two years of coursework while working part-time as a graduate research assistant on a reading and behavior grant.  The purpose of this grant was to implement positive behavioral supports school-wide and provide small-group reading instruction for at-risk learners.  This experience prepared me for work in the field and gave me opportunities to collaborate with school staff and students. 

My third year at KU involved a full-time internship in a school district. I completed my internship in the Olathe School District where I have continued working. I am assigned to two elementary schools, and I attend problem-solving meetings to identify concerns and brainstorm solutions to support students. I also go to meetings to review plans for students who receive special education services. I administer standardized assessments of intelligence, academic achievement, social, emotional, and behavioral status and collect data informally through interviews and observations.  While my role requires consultation and assessment, I am also able to implement prevention and intervention strategies for academics and social skills in classrooms, small groups and 1:1.

School psychology might be the career for you if you like collaborating with others, using data to make decisions, and personalizing your career to match your interests.

Personal

I live in Kansas City with my husband and daughter.  We enjoy spending time with our families and friends and traveling. 

Personal Statement

The experiences obtained studying at Rockhurst University prepared me for graduate school and allowed me to consider a variety of options for career paths.  The professors in the program were always supportive in assisting with coursework and in pursuing post-graduate studies and other opportunities. I still remember lessons taught in courses such as statistics, development, and assessment and refer back to these lessons and materials.

If you have questions about school psychology, you are welcome to contact me at afritzhn@olatheschools.com.