story by Claire Miller
When she first applied for the College of Education & Human Development’s school psychology program, Carrie Lorig wasn’t sure if she’d be a good fit.
She’d earned her master’s degree in creative writing, taught high school English in South Korea and taught undergraduate writing courses in the U.S., and she wondered if her career experience would complement the work she’d be doing in the program.
“I had no idea whether someone with an English degree would be a good fit, but it was clear in the interview that they valued my teaching experience,” Lorig said. “They didn’t see my different background as a weakness – they saw it as a strength.”
The school psychology faculty connected her with other graduate research assistants, showed her how her writing skills would be an asset and helped her prioritize the research areas she was most interested in.
Lorig has flourished in the program. She served as co-chair of the International School Psychology Association's student committee, where she connected with school psychology students in other countries, and recently presented her dissertation work on mass shooters and their perceptions of trauma at the National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention.
“It was a culmination of everything I’ve wanted to do for so long. I felt so confident and supported by the faculty,” she said. “My presentation was in the afternoon on the last day of the conference, and there were 100 people there. A survivor of a school shooting came up and spoke to me afterward, and it was a really rewarding experience.”
Lorig was recognized at the College of Education & Human Development’s annual Honors Day Ceremony on April 1.
She is the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award in School Psychology, which is presented to doctoral students in recognition of academic performance, service to the department and professional promise.
“I was genuinely surprised,” Lorig said of receiving the award. “I feel like I’ve put a lot of work in and I care about this program and its success. They’ve done so much to support me and make sure I’m successful. I’ve really thrived as a result.”