By Loretta McGregor, 2024 STP President

As I sat writing this final column, I was reminded of the song “Seasons of Love” from the hit Broadway musical Rent. The lyrics are “525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?” (Did you sing the song in your head? I did).

Well, my 525,600 minutes as STP president are nearing the end. I have had many joyous moments, met many inspiring individuals, and seen the passion in your hearts and eyes for this noble profession we call the teaching of psychology. Thank you for embracing my vision of cultivating the next generation of psychology educators. My theme was not accompanied by grand fanfare. It was simple and from the heart. I desire this idea to germinate within each of you and become a part of your mentoring protocol. I want you to consciously and actively seek out current students with the talent and passion to educate the next generation about human behavior and thought. Moreover, I want our future colleagues to realize that teaching their students about the discipline of psychology has the potential to pay big dividends for our society for many years to come.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as your 2024 STP President. It has been an honor to work alongside such dedicated and passionate individuals. I stand here today because influential teachers and instructors saw my potential long before I could. You, too, have the power to be that influential figure for a student. Don't hesitate to share your passion and love for teaching with your students. Encourage them to explore the possibilities of one day joining our ranks. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your 2024 STP President. It has been an honor.