Leiszle Lapping-CarrIssue 07: October 2018

During my time at UNLV, I have been involved in the Interactive Measurement Group (IMG) in a number of ways. I first served as a teaching assistant for Kim’s Introduction to Statistical Methods course, mentoring lab members on how to grade homework. The following year, I taught Introduction to Statistical Methods myself, mentoring more lab members on grading and running computer labs, as well as helping Kim to improve the course materials. I also revised and led the first portion of a factor analysis workshop for a group of lab members (I had to stop partway through to give birth!). Currently, I am helping develop the Perceived Social Intelligence scale. This process includes supervising lab members who are doing literature reviews and video editing.

Outside of IMG, I have been very busy. As a clinical psychology graduate student, I receive training in clinical work, research, and teaching. For the past 2 years, I provided psychotherapy to survivors and perpetrators of sexual abuse. In addition to Introduction to Statistical Methods, I taught General Psychology, focusing on understanding research methods and cross-cultural issues. I have research experience in both experiential and psychophysiological sexual response as well as research methodology. In fact, I received the UNLV President’s Fellowship in 2018-2019 to fund my dissertation project comparing three different methods of psychological research.

Besides my official graduate school requirements, I volunteered my time as an advocate for psychologists and graduate students. I worked with the psychology department to improve the graduate program by surveying students about their concerns. A coalition of faculty and students used the results of the survey to develop a plan to address these concerns. I was also active in the broader Las Vegas psychological community, serving as the State Advocacy Coordinator for Nevada through the American Psychological Association for Graduate Students for the past 2 years. In this position, I implemented various trainings and social justice forums of interest to students, faculty, and community mental health providers alike. I received the GPSA Service Award in 2017 as recognition for my contributions to the department, UNLV, and the Las Vegas community.

This summer, I started a new chapter of my training. I just finished my 5th year at UNLV and I started my internship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in July 2018. On my internship, I will receive training in sex and couples therapy as well as program creation and evaluation. I have greatly enjoyed my time at UNLV and hope to continue working towards improving psychology as a discipline through my research, mentoring, and advocacy.