Under the direction of Dr. Heather T. Snyder, 12 undergraduate psychology interns from the Edinboro campus have collectively completed 5,400 hours of community service during spring 2025 internships.

Undergraduate internships in psychology are typically undertaken by students following their junior year. Internships provide students with an opportunity to obtain professional work experience in a variety of settings in the field of psychology.

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Laci Abbey

Internship Site: Conneaut Area City Schools

Site Supervisors: Aimee Cool—MA, psychologist at the middle and high school. Jamie Kennedy—MA, psychologist for preschool through fifth grade.

What’s Next: Graduating with an undergraduate degree in psychology and continuing her education to obtain a master’s in school psychology.

“This internship experience has helped me develop my professional skills and allowed me to solidify my career path for the future,” Abbey said.

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Caitlyn Colburn

Internship Site: Fort LeBoeuf School District

Site Supervisors: Becky Goetz—MA, school psychologist. Pamala Lampman—MA, school psychologist. Mike Converse—MA, school psychologist.

What’s Next: Colburn hopes to attend graduate school in Boston, Massachusetts, to either gain a master’s or a doctorate in school psychology. Her future goals are to be able to create an environment where students feel safe, supported and educated regarding what is happening within their educational system.

“Interning at Fort LeBoeuf, I learned valuable knowledge benefiting my future and gained experiences I could not be more thankful for,” Colburn said.

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Lily Deane

Internship Site: Erie County Juvenile Probation

Site Supervisor: Douglas Meyner—MA, LPC, Deputy Chief Juvenile Probation Officer

What’s Next: To take a gap year and find employment within the court system before attending graduate school.

“An internship is an opportunity to transform curiosity into real life experiences,” Deane said.

 

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Mia Kline

Internship Site: Saint Marys Area School District

Specific Unit: Student Services

Site Supervisors: Emilee Fox, Ed. S., NCSP. Hannah Platko, Ed.S., BCBA, and Alyssa Tettis, LSW.

What’s Next: Complete her bachelor’s degree and then attend graduate school for school psychology.

“Internships are a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in your future career field outside the classroom,” Kline said.

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Ryan Lewis

Internship Site: Blended Spirits Ranch

Site Supervisor: Chelsea Ackerman—M.Ed., NCC, LPC.

What’s Next: Pursuing a master’s degree and continuing education in PennWest’s graduate program for counseling. Lewis also anticipates continuing to work with horses.

“Experience of a lifetime,” Ryan said. “I’ve been blessed to witness the work that goes on here, and it’s been fascinating to see how horses can have such a monumental effect on therapy.”

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Ella Newcome

Internship Site: Erie County Juvenile Probation

Site Supervisors: Doug Meyner—MA, LPC, Deputy Chief of Juvenile Probation. Courtnet Kopay—Juvenile Probation Officer

What’s Next: Complete a bachelor’s degree at PennWest before pursuing a master’s in forensic psychology.

“My time here has opened me up to how expansive the connection is between mental health and juvenile law, showing me just how important it is to focus on it with juveniles,” Newcome said.

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Chantel Wilcox

Internship Site: Sarah Reed’s Children Center

Specific Unit: Human Resources Department

Primary Supervisor: Dakota J. Cohen—Staffing Specialist. Mary Barr—Associate VP of Human Resources. Erika Hengel Brok—Human Resources Generalist.

What’s Next: Pursuing a career in psychology in human resources, preferably in a correctional facility.

“The stories I have gathered from others as well as my own experiences will stay with me for a lifetime,” Wilcox said.