Blanka Bodo

Psychology is an important subject, and Goshen College should spend more money on the psychology department. Psychology helps us understand how people think, feel and behave. This is helpful in many areas, like mental health, school, social work and daily life. Today, many people deal with stress, anxiety and other mental health problems, so the study of human’s minds is more important than ever.

Psychology is also personally important to me. I want to understand people better and help others feel better mentally and emotionally. However, the current situation in the department at GC makes this hard. There are not enough professors or staff which causes problems for students. Last semester, when Julie Reese, professor of psychology, was off-campus, the class schedule had to be changed for the entire semester. Because of this, I could not take the classes I wanted and had to change my plans.

Putting more money into psychology would help students and make the program stronger. Psychology is also one of the few careers that AI cannot replace because it requires real human care, empathy and connection. In the future, psychology will continue to be needed. By investing more now, GC can better support students and prepare them for important careers.

 

Carle Bruggema

To me, psychology is about really trying to understand people, not just judging them based on what you see on the outside. It helps explain why people act the way they do and reminds me that our behaviors are often shaped by our experiences, emotions and surroundings. Learning psychology makes me more aware of my own thoughts and reactions, especially in situations where I might otherwise be confused or frustrated. 

I wish my college’s psychology department offered more course options, had more professors and included more opportunities for real-world application. Psychology is such a broad and relevant field, yet limited classes and resources can make it hard for students to fully explore different interests or career paths. With greater investment, the department could expand course offerings, reduce class sizes and provide more hands-on learning experiences like internships, research and community engagement. Investing more in the psychology department would better prepare students for graduate school and careers while also supporting the growing importance of mental health in today’s society. 

As more people recognize its importance, psychology will continue to play a meaningful role beyond clinical settings, supporting individuals and communities in everyday life.

 

Bailee Brown

Studying psychology is often dismissed as impractical or the “default” choice when people don’t know what else to do. In reality, it has become one of the most essential fields, shaping everyday interactions in how we learn, support and connect. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of anxiety, depression and burnout have skyrocketed, and the demand for psychology has followed. Psychology isn’t a fallback; it’s essential.

Psychology matters to me because of its broad impact and flexibility. It is not, and will never be, defined by a single career path. My interests span multiple settings; I am drawn to healthcare and passionate about working with children and families.

At GC, however, fully exploring psychology can feel impossible. With only a narrow set of general courses, a field as broad as psychology is reduced to just a few pathways. Students must either navigate online consortium courses or make do with the limited on-campus options, leaving gaps in skill and experience.

The field is more relevant now than ever, while GC students are still reaching for opportunities that simply aren’t there. Supporting the department isn’t just an obligation; it’s the difference between lingering on the edge of the field and stepping fully into what it has to offer.

 

Bruno Barać

Psychology is a field in today’s world that is growing, and nowadays more and more people are facing mental health problems and needing help from professionals. From mental health counseling and crisis intervention to understanding trauma, addiction and stress psychology plays a critical role in helping people survive and heal, particularly on campus, where students are facing rising levels of anxiety, depression and stress after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Psychology at GC has great potential to impact this college and make a difference, but it is struggling. Even though we have two amazing professors, Julie Reese and Amanda Sensenig, who are doing excellent jobs in teaching and helping students succeed in this field, it would be really significant to have more investment in this department and have more professors who can help. Besides, having more diverse classes that are offered every semester would help students figure out their schedule and have more opportunities to learn. 

Investing in the psychology department means investing in the well-being of all students and our community. More professors and staff in the psychology department would allow students to have a better education and be more prepared for graduate school.