An Inspiring Mentor: Psychology Alumna Shirley Ogletree Honors Lois W. Hoffman
Born into a family of farmers in central Kansas, Shirley Ogletree (PhD: 1976) and her worldview were profoundly changed by her college psychology courses. She enrolled in Michigan’s Developmental Psychology PhD program and worked with mentor Lois W. Hoffman, whose transformative work on the psychosocial effects of maternal employment inspired Ogletree and many other researchers. To give back, Ogletree began making annual gifts to the Department in 1987 and has never missed a year in the 39 years since then. Now retired after a long career of teaching and research, she plans to honor Dr. Hoffman (and celebrate the 50th anniversary of her PhD) with a larger gift to the Developmental Psychology program in 2026. Read more
Alumni: Share Your Career Experience
We would love to hear from alumni who have pursued careers in psychology or in other fields! If you would like to share your post-graduate career experience, please contact us.
Do Early Experiences Affect Our Ability to Learn? Investigating How Environment Affects Childhood Neuroplasticity
It has long been accepted that the things we learn during childhood have important effects on cognitive development. But can childhood experiences also affect our ability to learn in the first place? Clinical Psychology PhD student Cleanthis Michael uses longitudinal data and neuroimaging to investigate how factors such as parenting styles and neighborhood wealth may impact neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize in response to experience. Read more
Psychology Alumna Miriam J. Cohen Leaves Generous Gift to Department
The Department gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Miriam Jean Cohen (A.B, Psychology: 1961) of Jupiter, Florida, for her bequest of over $500,000. We extend our deepest appreciation to Ms. Cohen and her estate. The gift will benefit our programs and students for many years to come. A portion of the funds will be used to support the STAR Scholars Program, providing undergraduates with hands-on research experience, structured mentorship, and the professional skills essential for academic and career success.
Investing in Well-Being Essential for Our Nation’s Success
Over the past year, 20% of American teens have contemplated suicide, reflecting a broader mental health crisis that affects all age groups and is exacerbated by provider shortages and lack of access to mental health care. Ashley Gearhardt, Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Clinical Science area, explains that sustained federal investment in training mental health professionals is essential for addressing this crisis and supporting the nation’s well-being. Read more at Michigan Research
A Research Career Reignited: Suzanne Perkins Crafting the Future of Learning for Abused and Neglected Children
Michigan helped reignite the research career of cancer survivor Suzanne Perkins, who has planned her career around the insight that education plays a key role in recovery for children at risk. Read more in Michigan Life-Changing Education
Introducing SciFusion: Video Resources for Teaching Psychological Concepts
Stephanie Preston's Ecological Neuroscience Lab presents SciFusion, a series of fun, free, educational videos for teaching psychology and other social sciences.
Intended for instructors working with undergraduates, high school students, and the public, SciFusion content includes a Data Detectives series focused on evidence-based reasoning and SciFusion Shorts that each focus on a single scientific concept.
Check out their content on YouTube and Instagram!
A Dating App for Science, Not for Profit
Traditional dating apps flood users with matches, inducing mindless swiping and decision fatigue. Enter Revel, a U-M–specific dating app developed by Elizabeth Bruch, an associate professor of sociology, and Amie Gordon, assistant professor of psychology. It’s rooted in their scholarship. . . . They hope to use the app to solve some of the enduring mysteries of relationship science. Despite decades of research, relationship scientists still don’t really know why some people “click” while others don’t or why some relationships endure while others end. Read the complete article in LSA Magazine
Faculty Retirements
Jill Becker, Patricia Y. Gurin Collegiate Professor of Psychology, retires 5/31/2026. Dr. Becker plans to maintain her laboratory and continue with ongoing research projects in retirement.
Sandra Graham-Bermann, Professor of Psychology, retired 12/31/2025.
Brenda Volling, Lois Wladis Hoffman Collegiate Professor of Psychology, retires 5/31/2026.
Exploring the Mind Talks
A monthly series of talks by U-M Psychology faculty. All Winter 2026 talks will be held in-person at the Ann Arbor District Library's downtown branch. Most talks will be recorded and made available for later online viewing. Details about each talk will be sent separately, so stay tuned! Visit the Psychology Community Talks page for up-to-date info and to view past presentations.
Giving Blueday - March 18, 2026
Giving Blueday 2026 is March 18! This Giving Blueday, we again invite you to help us empower minds and transform lives by supporting undergraduate and graduate Psychology students. With your support, students graduate with not only academic expertise but also a powerful set of transferable skills that will shape their lives and enable them to positively impact others.
Please visit our Giving Blueday page for more information.
