Morningside University Psychology

05/21/2026

Week 2 of Dr. Christopherson’s hiking May Term. This week we researched the various health benefits of being in nature and engaging in outdoor activities. We hiked the Crystal Cove loop and learned about (and carried) backpacking gear. Today we did our first ‘hard’ hike in Stone State Park. Lots of up and down!

05/14/2026

Dr Christopherson is teaching a Hiking May Term class focused on how activity in nature can be good for your physical and mental/emotional well being. This week students hike 4.7 miles at Adam’s Homestead and about 3 miles at Bacon Creek Park. For the next two weeks students will plan and lead the hikes.

05/11/2026

A lovely post about one of our interns this past spring. Nice job Emma!

05/10/2026

Congratulations to our graduates! Go out and do wonderful things in the world!

04/27/2026

Twelve of our amazing seniors were able to make it to dinner tonight with the Psychology Faculty. To these students and those who couldn't make it, know that you make us all proud and we can't wait to see where life takes you!

04/17/2026

Hello from Chicago, where nine of us are attending the Midwest Psychological Association's annual conference (MPA)! Today student Emma Feigl presented research on the mental health of athletes vs non-athletes. As a bonus, Dr. Pleuss also got to catch up with of our own Mside alumni, Paige Taylor, who is here at MPA to present research she has done as a graduate student!

04/10/2026

Congratulations and welcome to our newest cohort of Psi Chi inductees!

04/09/2026

What a joy to see our own Dr. Jack Hill honored in this way! If you are in town, swing by the library on Morningside's campus (before April 29th!) to see this artistic display honoring Jack as he approaches retirement, titled "Transference on a Tie Rack: How a Psychologist Can be Knotty". Many a student over the years has commented on his vast tie collection! And we give many thanks to Pauline Sensenig for honoring him in this way.

02/15/2026

Dr. LaPaglia is featured on this month's "This is How I Teach" blog from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology!

“Meet” Jessica LaPaglia and learn about how she teaches – including how she uses a lie detector demonstration in her Forensic and Legal Psychology class – in our latest “This is How I Teach” blog post: https://teachpsych.org/thisishowiteach/13596011

02/15/2026

Edward Deci and his colleague Richard Ryan deveoped the well-known Self-Determination theory of motivation. He was also a great appreciator of art and a supporter of his local art community.

https://monheganmuseum.org/remembering-ed-deci/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAP-zetleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeXMRJMlfU7EP_ebmqzT33DYF9sDHh8eepClOhWeffRX3Icph2hiXWgkzc6-4_aem_08P3s5ud7D0nlzmcNQS4sAlt ape

Remembering Edward L. Deci (1942-2026) Monhegan Museum of Art & History honors the extraordinary life and legacy of our long-time President and Director, Edward L. Deci (1942–2026) Edward L. Deci, 83, of Rochester, New York and Monhegan Island, Maine, died peacefully with loved ones by his side in...