Libby Wertz at the Association for Psychological Sciences conference in Chicago.
by Kristin M. Distel
Rising senior Libby Wertz’ time at OHIO has been marked by one success after another—and all of the experience she’ll need to apply to graduate school.
A Psychology major, Wertz notes that her experiences at Ohio University have enabled her to meet the criteria for Ph.D. applications—clinical experience, rigorous coursework, clinical research, laboratory experience, hands-on work with children, and the completion of an internship with a nationally recognized program.
“Absolutely everything I’ve done at OHIO is relevant to my career goals,” Wertz explains.
“I have had two posters accepted to different conventions, for which I was the first author. That was a great experience. I am also working on two publications right now. I am clinically trained to administer IQ tests to children, and to code different behaviors. Plus, after my freshman year, I completed an internship with the Summer Treatment Program at Cleveland Clinic. For my honors thesis, I wrote the institutional research board application and recruited participants. All of this makes me more marketable to a graduate program.”
Libby Wertz at the Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies conference, where her work was awarded runner-up for Exceptional Undergraduate Poster.
‘I Feel Truly Valued by the University’
Wertz says that OHIO provided funding to support her convention attendance and presentations.
“I feel truly valued by the university,” she explains.
Wertz’s goal is to become a specialist in a hospital setting, working with children. “I’m interested in health psychology or working in inpatient and outpatient areas of hospitals. I want to be a child specialist, or perhaps an abnormal disorder specialist in a hospital.”
Working toward these goals and achieving her long list of accomplishments have required guidance and support—which she has found at OHIO. Wertz notes that her accomplishments have been made possible by the unparalleled support she has received from psychology faculty.
“So many people have taken an interest in helping me in many different ways. Dr. Brian Wymbs and Dr. Susan Tice-Alicke are both on my honors thesis committee, and they’ve been fantastic,” Wertz says.
Collecting Data, Gaining Hands-On Experience
Wertz is also a lead counselor at OHIO’s Camp Boost, a three-week day camp for children with ADHD and other behavioral issues, where she works alongside Assistant Professors Drs. Brian and Frances Wymbs. From this experience, Wertz is collecting data for her thesis.
She also works alongside Dr. Julie Owens and Dr. Steve Evans in The Center for Intervention Research in Schools (CIRS) laboratory, where she takes part in collecting data for research and publications.
“My professors have done a great job of tailoring opportunities to everyone’s interests and needs. They provide us with options,” Wertz remarks, “and they challenge us appropriately. The psychology faculty members push us to write and think in ways that build upon previous classes. This has made me a stronger student.”
‘Opportunities I’ve Had at OHIO Are Incredible’
Wertz encourages incoming and potential students to ask for help when they need it—and to become involved in the many opportunities the Psychology Department offers its students.
“Everyone is willing to help, and everyone will take an interest in you. Each faculty member makes it a priority to see you succeed. The opportunities I’ve had at OHIO are incredible. The people I’ve met, the things I’m certified to do, the conventions I’ve gone to, it has been amazing.”
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