For anyone who missed it and might like the slides or relevant articles from Judith and me, please check out this link where it’s all stored:
svsu0-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/person...
#2026MPA
Hey thanks so much to everybody who joined our roundtable event! It was such a thought-provoking and rejuvenating conversation, I appreciate you all.
#2026MPA
I do not want to create an account or open a subscription I just want to buy a thing and never hear from you again why is this so hard.
grading is suffering. it's our penance for assigning gradable work. wish we could decouple feedback and grading, keep the former, do away with the latter. stop the suffering.
Wonderful presidential address by @kimberlyquinn.bsky.social on social meaning & wellbeing impacts of urban public spaces.
“Perhaps environments are easier to change than people” — not the call to action I expected today, but so valid and inspiring! Love the interdisciplinary perspective.
#2026MPA
Shot of the screen during the MPA awards presentation, showing William Chopick from MSU being named recipient of the Mid-Career Excellence in Mentoring Award.
Hey congrats on the mentorship award @chops310.bsky.social!
#2026MPA
Great first day at #2026MPA!
The students had lots of traffic and lovely conversations at their poster and data blitz, we got classic Chicago dogs for lunch, and the #SVSU crew caught a good photo op at the bean. Very proud of all on their hard work and performance.
That’s awesome, good work kiddo!
By pure coincidence, 3/5 of my current research team were high school hurdlers. So was I. We were bonding the other day over how the last hurdle in the 300m feels a mile high.
Maybe there’s something about the masochism of the sport that has overlap with psych…
I sadly didn’t get the reference but now that I know, this movie looks amazing! Excited to give it a watch.
Back end of a hearse, licenses plate says “URNEXT6”
Death anxiety exposure spotted on the road! Student driver behind the wheel of a hearse, license plate reads “URNEXT6”
🤣💀😅
#TMT
#Angst
Took me a looooooong time to get into a stable habit where I was routinely on top of it. No longer being a grad student was crucial haha
Not gunna lie, the fireworks on the Sessions Health app when you get caught up on notes is kinda cute and motivating 💥✨🎉
#TherapistSky
Write poetry. You can't reread tears.
**At my funeral**
Student: "Will this be on the exam?"
Whoops, I see now that this year’s hashtag is #2026MPA. Will use going forward!
Huge thanks to @stpteachpsych.bsky.social and the Midwestern Psychological Association for having us! Really looking forward to some meaningful conversations next week, hope you'll stop by to see our work :)
#STP
#MPA
#SVSU
Program entry reads as follows: "Levels of Labels: Conceptual Clarity in Community, Counseling, & Clinical Psychology" by Travis Pashak, Saginaw Valley State University; Judith Zatkin, Bemidji State University Abstract: How can undergraduates deeply understand meanings of important and sensitive concepts like “mental disorder,” “sexual violence,” “substance abuse,” and more, especially when often personally relevant? Rather than adopt rigidly sterile definitional frameworks, we encourage an experiential, empathic, and empowering pedagogy. Join our roundtable to exchange teaching ideas and learn more!
Saturday April 18th, 8:00am-2:40pm
Salon 04
STP Roundtables II
[Sixth Session in Series, 12:10pm Start]
Roundtable discussion event on teaching challenging topics in clinical/counseling/community psychology. Judith and I will share ideas and then open up a teaching-focused dialogue with attendees.
Program entry reads as follows: "Are Dark Personality Traits Related to Belief in Astrology?" by Maia Clynick, Saginaw Valley State University; Chalea Herron, Saginaw 381 Valley State University; Keri Maricle, Oakland University This study explores the relationship between dark personality traits and belief in astrology. College students will complete a survey assessing their demographics, birthdate (for zodiac signs), dark personality traits, and belief in astrology. Results will help determine potential associations that may exist between dark personality traits and belief in astrology.
Thursday April 16th, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Salon 02
Psi Chi Data Blitz I
[Fourth Session in Series, 4:21pm Start]
Two of our other undergrads plus an alum presenting on relationships between dark triad personality characteristics and astrology beliefs.
Program entry reads as follows: "Learning my disorder isn’t real: Critical pedagogy in abnormal psychology" by Isaac Zamora-Ayres, Saginaw Valley State University; Audrey Weiss, Saginaw Valley State University; Rachel Peterhans, Saginaw Valley State University; Isabelle Branch, Saginaw Valley State University; Paige Carstensen, Saginaw Valley State University (Dr. Travis Pashak, Faculty Sponsor)
Thursday April 16th, 2:00pm-2:50pm
Upper Exhibit Hall
Psi Chi Poster Session VII: Basic and Applied Psychology
[Poster #17]
My student research team's poster on critical pedagogy in undergraduate psychopathology courses.
The annual conference of the Midwestern Psychological Association is in just one week! Who's going to be with us in Chicago?
#MPA #MidwesternPsych
If you're around, please come check out the following presentations from SVSU folks who are excited to share their work:
Saving SBE starts before the bill is written.
SBE needs a distinct FY27 appropriation. If your sch. is on the list, get a group of colleagues to meet w your House/Sen. offices. Esp. for Republican seats, direct constituent comms matter. Timeline/templates/updates:
www.paigeamormino.com/pages/9337
I have a journal that says “ideas” on the cover, and do you know where I write my ideas?
On the sticky note pad that sits literally right next to it on my desk. 🤦♂️
“not only is it scientifically incorrect to view mental disorders as real things, but also it likely exacerbates harmful stigma to mistakenly reify these constructs rather than appreciate their nature as simple descriptive labels”
Flier for the No Kings / Stand Up For Science event tomorrow (Saturday March 27th, 2026, starting at 1:30pm Eastern). Event is online over Zoom for accessibility for all.
Tomorrow!
#NoKings
#SUFS
Register: events.zoom.us/ev/Am_KPLd9n...
Opening slide of a presentation titled "Assets & Angst: College Students' Campus Resources and Existential Concerns" by Paige Carstensen, Isabelle Branch, Isaac Zamora-Ayres, Audrey Weiss, Rachel Peterhans, and Travis Pashak. Presented 3/27/2026 at the Michigan Academy of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. Authors from Saginaw Valley State University.
Opening slide of a presentation titled "Learning My Disorder Isn't Real: Critical Pedagogy in Abnormal Psychology" by Isaac Zamora-Ayres, Audrey Weiss, Rachel Peterhans, Paige Carstensen, Isabelle Branch, and Travis Pashak. Presented 3/27/2026 at the Michigan Academy of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. Authors from Saginaw Valley State University.
Opening slide of a presentation titled "Building Connections: Designing a Community Psychology Course which is Dynamically-Oriented, Existentially-Informed, Locally-Grounded, and Experientially-Engaged" by Travis J. Pashak. Talk given at the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters on 3/27/2026. Author from Saginaw Valley State University.
Had a great time today presenting with my students at the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, & Letters conference! Fascinating, energizing conversations.
#MASAL
Forgot a group shot but here are title slides from our talks.
[Peep Isaac's nod to bell hooks' "Teaching to Transgress" in the colorways!]
Graphic with text that reads “No Kings 3 Accessible Rally organized by Stand Up for Science. Online March 28th, 12:30 - 2PM CT” The graphic also includes logos for No Kings3 and Stand up for Science, and this link: tr.ee/nk3ar
NO KINGS 3 ACCESSIBLE RALLY organized by Stand Up for Science!
An inclusive rally for everyone, everywhere.
March 28th, 12:30 - 2pm CT followed by live stream of the national flagship event from the Twin Cities (MN).
Sign up here: tr.ee/nk3ar
#NoKings #NoKings3 #NK3AR #Rally
Breast cancer mortality dropped 58% from 1975 to 2019.
Localized, early detected breast cancer has a 99% 5 year survival rate.
Modern mammogram tech was developed by NASA for telescopes.
Last year, RFK Jr. cancelled 87 research grants on breast cancer.
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/u...
We can't measure attitudes directly...instead we use self-reports surveys. However, we use multiple items so we can cover the breadth and depth of these attitudes and we use statistical techniques to tell us how much of the variance in responses is due to the 'underlying construct'
@eikofried.bsky.social really coming out as a non-believer in fish with this latest.
“Fish, however, do not exist.” He goes on to refer to them as “ necessarily limited.”
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
🔥 article, such that it was hard to find just one pull quote, lol