WCU Psychology Department

08/23/2026

Excellent opportunity to get involved!

Want to make a difference during your time at WCU? Mark your calendars and join us at one of the upcoming new volunteer trainings. Bring a friend. We look forward to seeing you there!

08/21/2026

We are excited to welcome Dr. Julia Najm to our department!

Dr. Julia Najm completed her doctoral training at East Tennessee State University, predoctoral internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and her postdoctoral fellowship at Dartmouth Health and College. Her research interests include improving behavioral health access for perinatal populations in obstetric care. She teaches health psychology and enjoys mentoring students of all levels.

08/19/2026

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Sarah Grace Frary who will be supporting both our Undergraduate and Clinical Psychology Graduate students!

Sarah Grace Frary is a clinical-community psychologist excited to be joining Western's psychology faculty this fall. SG's research focuses on populations facing stigma that impacts their health access and outcomes, including LGBTQ+ communities, people living with HIV, and people who use drugs. They use community-based participatory research to partner with community organizations to support health and well-being. SG has clinical interest in third-wave CBTs and spiritually-integrated psychotherapies, especially as they are culturally adapted for marginalized communities, and integrated care systems. They love hiking and backpacking, birdwatching, and local live music.

08/17/2026

We are excited for the first day of classes here in Cullowhee! This semester we have three new faculty joining the psychology department and will dedicate a post to each of them over the first week of classes.

Starting us off this week we are pleased to welcome Dr. Emily Winkelman who will be supporting both our Undergraduate and Specialist in School Psychology students!

Dr. Emily Winkelman earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Samford University and her PhD in school psychology from the University of Florida. She completed an APA accredited internship and postdoctorate position at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she provided psychological assessment services in their campus-based clinic and in rural PK-8 schools. She researches the measurement and application of approaches to learning that equip students to be successful in the classroom. She is passionate about supporting students in all stages of their academic journey through her clinical and academic work.

06/13/2026

It’s summer time, but caring for your mental health in college is important no matter the time of year!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DAsuXZvrQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CcMJTTwhB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Special recognition to Sarah Bloom who was selected by a panel of campus faculty and staff to give the graduate student commencement address this Spring. She graduated Friday with her master's degree from the Psychology - Clinical M.A. program in the College of Education and Allied Professions. She encouraged her fellow graduates to look for ways to practice experimentation, acceptance, and balance.

"Some of us studied numbers, some stories, systems or people, but all of us were working towards something meaningful. No matter what program we came from, this moment reflects more than individual effort, it reflects the communities that stood beside us."

Thank you for your address Sarah! If you would like to hear the full speech, it begins around the 45 minute mark of the livestream recording.

05/13/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JoiFaFC6g/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/10/2026

Congratulations, graduates!!!

05/08/2026

Congratulations graduate students from the MA clinical and Specialist in School Psychology programs!

04/27/2026

One of this year’s CEAP Honor roll/Peak performer awards presented to Dr. Erica Po***ck, a 2015 graduate of WCU’s Specialist in School Psychology program. Congratulations!