Lab Member Spotlight: Stephen Byrne, Grad rep
Lab member Stephen Byrne was elected as Grad Rep for the 2024-2025 year. He kindly agreed to reflect on the position.
1. Please describe your role as Grad Rep
As a Graduate Student Representative for the WPU PsyD Program, I serve as liaison between the students and the faculty. My main job is to receive and solicit suggestions from the students on how to improve their time at WPU, both in day-to-day conveniences and the broader changes to the program. I share these suggestions with the faculty. I am also in charge of the Virtual Grad Lounge held for prospective students on Interview Day.
2. What drew you to taking on the responsibility of Grad Rep at WPU?
What drew me to the Graduate Representative position was the opportunity to take part in building a cross-cohort community as well as the chance to take a larger role in making direct positive changes to the program on behalf of my peers.
3. What have you found challenging about the position?
The intersecting stressors of academics, practicum, conflicting course schedules, commuting, and re-learning how to socialize in a post-COVID-19 world make organizing social events challenging. We work together, study together, struggle together, but during my time as Grad Rep, I have seen first-hand how challenging practical considerations can make facilitating cross-cohort in-person events. Beyond social events, when speaking on behalf of my peers at faculty meetings there is always a struggle between balancing what your peers are suggesting with what the program can realistically provide.
4. What have you found enjoyable about the position?
There is a lot of joy to be had in the successes. Your work will get noticed, and that’s always a good feeling. It was nice to affect change through small but meaningful conveniences, I have also appreciated the chance to know the program from more than just the student perspective.
5. Do you have any advice for future Grad Reps?
The Graduate Representative should be outgoing and assertive. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for things. Even if the answer is no, you still did your job by advocating for your classmates. At the same time, take things at a steady pace and don’t overload yourself with plans and aspirations that might not materialize. Listen to what your classmates are really looking for and spend your effort trying to make that happen.