Dear Students,
Welcome to you all. We are truly delighted you are here and we are all looking forward to starting the academic year off strong with you. Strength certainly seems required in these times, that is for sure. It’s a lot out there. In different ways and to varying degrees, but for all of us the world throws us A LOT.
Yet, here you are! You studied and worked and looked after friends, family members and yourselves and you got yourself to your Masters degree program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Well done! You are already New York Strong.
Here is a little information about all of you, our newest students:
There are 75 of you. You range in age from early twenties to mid-fifties, and your average age is 28. 64% of you identify as women. 30% percent of you identify as students of color. 30% percent of you hail from countries outside the United States including Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, People's Republic of China, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Turkey. Among our domestic students, you are from Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. Many of you majored in Psychology as undergrads, but we also have students who studied biology, business, communications, criminal justice, economics, education, engineering, English, exercise science, history, human resource management, international relations, journalism, law, management, marketing, neuroscience, political science, sociology, Spanish, and visual arts and theater, among others. Many of you have significant work experience and the average number of years of full-time work experience among you is 7. In addition, a significant number of you are seasoned professionals with over a decade of full-time work experience. Your zodiac signs also tell an interesting story… I’m just kidding. My point is: you are diverse in all definitions of the word and you each add a deep richness to our learning community.
We think it’s a wonderful time to be in Social-Organizational Psychology. Just take a look at some of these recent headlines from the popular press.
Disruptive change is hitting leaders and managers hardest
Diversity Matters More than Ever Before
Gen Z is actually taking sick days unlike their older counterparts. It’s redefining work.
Why Mental Health is a Workplace Issue
Using AI at Work Makes Us Lonelier and Less Healthy
How digital nomads are changing the world of work
Is Rizz the Secret to Getting Ahead at Work?
We know something about leading change. We know something about how to help organizations work toward equity and reach diversity and inclusion goals. We know something about managing generational differences at work and building healthy cultures to support colleagueship and friendships. We know something about digital organizations and the exploding role of AI at work. And, we know something about developing good leadership, or leaders with “Rizz.” We know something about using research to guide what we do. In fact, we know quite a lot about these issues and how to implement their best practices in the workplace. This is our expertise. And, it is yours too. Or, it will be now that you’re here.
Now that you are here, strength is still required. We have important work to do together. You, me, my staff and faculty colleagues – all of us together in Social-Organizational Psychology because Social-Organizational Psychology is about researching the most pressing problems of our times and developing and implementing solutions that change societies for the better, one system, one organization, one team, one person at a time. We are so glad you’re here, to learn with and from us and with and from each other and to work together on these shared problems.
So, it’s a wonderful time to be in Social-Organizational Psychology and it’s a wonderful time to be a graduate student in New York City. It is true what they say -- in New York City you will find the greatest quality and variety of music, theater, food, fashion, sports, art, industry, intellectual stimulation, opportunities and just fellow human beings, more than anywhere in the world. And, we have all that on the regular. We’re biased. We love New York and we hope you do too.
Finally, it’s a wonderful time to be in a learning community, this learning community. We take that seriously here. We are a community and we are in community – learning, teaching, studying, working, collaborating, and I hope laughing – together. That means try to bring your best self every day to our collective work. Challenge and stretch yourself again and again even when it makes you feel uncomfortable. If you are an introvert, push yourself to speak up more. If you are an extrovert, remember to listen more than you speak. Work to be open to new views, perhaps especially when you are pretty sure those views are wrong. Catch yourself making quick judgments and instead, consider that what others are trying to express might be valid. When you feel critical, try to pivot to curiosity. Tolerate not knowing the answer. Risk learning something new in public, even while your classmates are watching. Model that for each other. Take responsibility for your choices and look to your own role in a situation before blaming others. Assume good intentions in your peers, your colleagues, your professors, the staff and the institution of TC. We are good people here and we are all trying to do the right thing even when it looks otherwise.
When you are frustrated, when things go wrong, when your expectations are upended –– start with compassion. Remember to treat yourself gently and to be kind and compassionate to those around you, especially when things do not go according to plan.
Share yourself, have fun, let joy in, work hard, think deeply, hold on to each other. I will try to do the same. We will try to do the same. If we make, and keep, this commitment to each other, to take care of each other in our community, we can do meaningful work.
Warmly,
Current Student Profile
Hannah is a full-time, second-year student in the S-OP program from Anchorage, Alaska, currently residing in Jersey City, NJ. She obtained her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University in 2022, where she also pursued her interest in cognitive science and neurolinguistics research. Navigating educational and professional spaces with a migraine disorder, Hannah became passionate about advocating for those with invisible disabilities. Her interest in DEI and creating accessible and equitable spaces led her to pursue her M.A. in Social-Organizational Psychology at Teachers College.
Upon joining the S-OP program, Hannah prioritized involvement in student life, as for the past three years her college experience had been largely online. She joined the Organization and Human Development Consulting Club (OHDCC) Associates Program during the Spring 2024 semester, supporting the past OHDCC Member Engagement Chair. Holding this position not only put her in the center of OHDCC’s engagement activities and efforts but also highlighted how ingrained the value of community is to the students in the S-OP program. Hannah now serves as OHDCC President and is looking forward to continuing to provide professional development and networking opportunities to S-OP students alongside the OHDCC Leadership Team. In addition to her involvement in OHDCC, she will be supporting Dr. Westaby’s Dynamic Network Lab researching decision-making and rationality this semester.
When not in school, Hannah enjoys working part-time as an exercise rider at an equine sales and competition stable in Pittstown, NJ. At home, she enjoys reading, taking care of her houseplant collection, doing Pilates, and going on long walks in Liberty State Park with her dog, Olive.
Alumni Profile
Monday is an accomplished Army Engineer Officer with over a decade of distinguished military service. She graduated in 2023 with a Master’s in Social-Organizational Psychology through the Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP), which equips select Army officers with the skills to become Tactical Officers, specializing in leadership development and organizational performance.
Monday earned her Bachelor of Arts and Army commission from the University of New Mexico. Throughout her career as an Army Engineer Officer, she has served in a variety of operational environments, both domestically and internationally. She has built and led high-performing, diverse teams in challenging conditions across the globe. Notably, in 2017, she deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where she oversaw a complex grouting mission at the Mosul Dam, coordinating efforts with multiple national militaries and private sector partners.
In her current role as a Tactical Officer, Monday leverages her expertise in psychology and leadership to foster growth and resilience in her cadets. She is passionate about enhancing team dynamics and instilling Army values through thoughtful mentorship. Actively involved in the Academy’s diversity and leadership initiatives, she takes advantage of every opportunity to develop and grow the leaders of tomorrow.
Dedication to the profession of arms and leadership development is a family affair for Monday, who is married to fellow Teachers College S-OP alum and Tactical Officer, Ariel Hector.
Monday is an accomplished Army Engineer Officer with over a decade of distinguished military service. She graduated in 2023 with a Master’s in Social-Organizational Psychology through the Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP), which equips select Army officers with the skills to become Tactical Officers, specializing in leadership development and organizational performance.
Monday earned her Bachelor of Arts and Army commission from the University of New Mexico. Throughout her career as an Army Engineer Officer, she has served in a variety of operational environments, both domestically and internationally. She has built and led high-performing, diverse teams in challenging conditions across the globe. Notably, in 2017, she deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where she oversaw a complex grouting mission at the Mosul Dam, coordinating efforts with multiple national militaries and private sector partners.
In her current role as a Tactical Officer, Monday leverages her expertise in psychology and leadership to foster growth and resilience in her cadets. She is passionate about enhancing team dynamics and instilling Army values through thoughtful mentorship. Actively involved in the Academy’s diversity and leadership initiatives, she takes advantage of every opportunity to develop and grow the leaders of tomorrow.
Dedication to the profession of arms and leadership development is a family affair for Monday, who is married to fellow Teachers College S-OP alum and Tactical Officer, Ariel Hector.