The student representatives (a.k.a. psych reps) are a group of psychology students who organize and run various events related to the Department of Psychological Science. These events include the Grad in Residence program, the Fall Picnic, and Senior Happy Hour, among others.

Additionally, the psych reps hold major meetings, attend faculty meetings to keep the professors informed about what’s going on with the students and get information from professors to answer student questions. They organize student lunches to meet with people who are being interviewed at the school to become possible professors. Plus, they give valuable input from the student body to the psychology staff on topics such as who to hire for an upcoming year and what classes to offer.

Students have to run to be elected as psych reps by posting their information on the rep board towards the end of the spring semester. There are always four reps, and they are elected by the Psych majors.

Fall 2023/Spring 2024 Psych Reps

Alex Mills

Hello, my name is Alex Mills (she/her) and I am a Senior Psychology major. I have so much love for psychology and the department! On top of being a Psych Rep, I am also the Participant Pool Coordinator for the psychology department, so if you are conducting research that uses the subject pool we have (or will) probably work together. After I graduate from UMW, I plan on obtaining my doctorate in occupational therapy. This year I am a member of Dr. Palmwood’s research team! Outside of the department, I am the social media coordinator for UMW Best Buddies and the Pre-OT VP for the Pre-Health Society. Fun fact is that I am a twin (my twin also goes to UMW)! I am so excited to work with all the amazing faculty and students in the psych department. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! My email is amills@umw.edu.

Jordan Lyons

Hi everyone! I am Jordan Lyons and I’m from Fairfax, VA. As well as being a Senior Psych major, I am also on the volleyball team here at Mary Wash and on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee! I have always been very excited to study psychology and would like to focus on criminal or forensic psychology in the future. I’m super excited to be one of your psychology reps this year! One fun fact about me is that my cousin, Xavier Herring, is also a psychology major here! If you have any questions please don’t be afraid to reach out! My email is jlyons@mail.umw.edu!

Rob Oehler

My name is Rob Oehler (he/him) and I am a Senior Psych Major and Contemplative Studies Minor. I am aiming for a Ph.D. in Clinical psychology with a focus on mindfulness interventions and 3rd wave behavioral therapies. I became a Psych Rep to represent my peers and get more opportunities to interact with our faculty. I am looking forward to more opportunities for everyone in the major to be engaged and support each other with department events. I’ve been engaged on campus in the Presidential Emerging Leaders Program (PELP) and the UMW Buddhist Student Sangha (BSS), starting this Spring I will be a Lab Aide as well. Some fun facts include I took a gap year of service in 2020 with AmeriCorps NCCC, I love folk and punk music, and enjoy meditating outside. I am proud to be one of your reps, please reach out to me at roehler@mail.umw.edu if you’d like to talk about anything relating to the department!

Sofia Taylor

Hi everyone! My name is Sofia Taylor (she/her) and I am a senior this year. I am a psychology major, as well as a music and neuroscience double minor. I am also a Psi Chi co-president and the CSL coordinator for the psych department. This year, I am working on a research team with Dr. Stebbins and we are investigating chronotype and procrastination. In terms of my hobbies, I love to sing opera, teach yoga, and read romance novels. I also work for Campus Rec as the Group Fitness Coordinator as well as an instructor. If you have an interest in becoming a group fitness instructor let me know! A fun fact about me is I am from Detroit, Michigan. If you have any questions, email me at staylor7@mail.umw.edu.