By Andrew Christopher, 2026 STP President

Dear STP Colleagues,

Welcome to 2026! I hope this letter finds you well and using the Holidays to recharge by spending time with family and friends.

When you think of great prognosticators, I bet names affiliated with science, such as Allan Lichtman or Benjamin Banneker, pop to mind. I would also bet that Joe Walsh -- a singer with the long-time rock-and-roll band the Eagles -- does not pop to mind. At the end of 2024, I had the privilege of seeing the Eagles perform live. During that concert, Walsh asked the audience if they were ready to leave 2024 and enter 2025. Of course, the crowd gave a perfunctory cheer. Walsh looked surprised by the cheering and responded by asking in a perplexed tone, “Oh really?” This question was followed by “Well, buckle up; 2025 is going to be a doozie.”

As we start 2026, with the benefit of hindsight, I doubt many if any of us would argue with Walsh’s prediction, even if he never operationally defined “doozie.” Indeed, 2025 brought us in secondary and higher education (and certainly elsewhere) not only a large quantity of undesirable stressors, but stressors some of us rarely if ever had to deal with previously. I would love to be able to tell you 2026 will be the year during which these undesirable stressors assuage and things get back to “normal.” I’ve been teaching since Summer 1995, the semester after my first year in graduate school. Ever since then -- and likely before that time -- it seems like we’ve been facing the “new normal.” Yet some way, somehow, we as teachers always manage to serve our students to the best of our ability. So too will it be in 2026.

If 2025 felt like you were wandering alone and lost in the desert, you ironically had a lot of company in that feeling. Of course, you are not alone – simply being a member of STP gives you a bounty of support, be it tangible resources to use in your teaching, informational support when you face a dilemma in your work, or, perhaps most importantly, belonging support that we all need to be healthy and happy. Use your affiliation with STP much like you would likely drink from an oasis in the desert. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with this organization and not only contribute to the work it is doing, but perhaps even more importantly, connect with colleagues who share your passion for teaching. STP offers all sorts of resources to help you keep your teaching fresh and engaging for your students and for you. This February 19^th and 20^th, you can connect with colleagues at the Virtual Conference on Teaching. On October 15-17, we will have our Annual Conference on Teaching in St. Louis. Our profession, especially during the past 5+ years, can easily be isolating. STP provides the perfect safeguard against feelings of isolation while enhancing what we all love to do – teach students. 

As you know full well, there is a lot we as educators need to do right now. Then again, we as educators have always had a lot we’ve needed to do. Psychology teachers in particular have an opportunity – and perhaps even an obligation -- to help change many of the problems that the world is facing today and that are adding to our own angst. As Jane Halonen and her colleagues (2022) said, “Using psychology to foster positive change can be an exciting prospect for students” (p. 76). It is for me, too, and I bet it is for you as well. That quote hangs above my desk, so that on those days when I don’t feel at my best, which during 2025 was more often than I found acceptable, I can remind myself today is another opportunity to help students make a real difference in the world. 

I am not sure whether to be more honored or humbled (or awed) at the opportunity of serving as your STP President this year. Maybe 2026 will provide a much-needed example of regression to the mean from 2025. All I know is that I can rely on you, my STP colleagues, as my personal oasis again this year, just as you have been for me since I was a graduate student at the University of Florida, then as a teacher at two liberal arts colleges – first at Anderson College (now Anderson University) and for the past 25 years at Albion College. Thank you! I hope I have and will continue to do the same for you. As we get ready to conquer 2026, let’s remember a piece of wisdom from another member of the Eagles, Don Henley: “It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you…” when you are involved in STP.

Let’s make it a great 2026,

Andrew Christopher

by Stephanie Afful, STP President     

As I conclude my year as President, I want to highlight the incredible work of our task forces. Guided by the theme Stronger Together: Building a Community to Combat Teacher Burnout, we launched four task forces focused on assessing needs, developing resources, and fostering community across teaching, research, and service. More than 80 members volunteered their time and expertise. This year, we delivered four presentations at ACT, began work on an eBook for 2026, and created valuable resources I encourage you to read, share, and discuss. All presidential task force resources are on our website. 

Our first task force, Addressing Academic Burnout, chaired by Brittany Avila, Melissa Maffeo, and Karen Naufel, developed an interactive infographic offering research-informed strategies to prevent and mitigate burnout, foster resilience, and build supportive communities for faculty, staff, and administrators. Explore practical steps for balancing demands with resources, promoting mental health, and creating inclusive environments. Please share widely—these strategies apply across disciplines.

The second task force, chaired by Guy Boysen, compiled resources on conducting Research on a Small Budget (or non-existent budget!). Whether you are conducting your own research or mentoring student research, I think you will find this guide immensely helpful as we think about creative and collaborative ways to recruit participants, use technology, apply for funding, and publish our work. 

The third task force was focused on Using AI to our Advantage, specifically thinking about managing faculty workload and avoiding burnout. This task force is chaired by Chris Hakala and Joe Slade and we look forward to sharing an ebook with you next year on using AI in teaching, research, and service.   

The last group, chaired by Gabi Mortorell, worked to review the most important content from Developmental Psychology Review, with nine modules that include a list of core concepts, multimedia resources, activities and assignments. Whether you’re a seasoned instructor seeking a refresh or teaching the course for the first time, these materials will be invaluable.

I’ve learned so much from these initiatives. The STP community’s willingness to share knowledge and support one another truly demonstrates that collaboration can help mitigate burnout. Please take time to explore these resources and share them with colleagues.

Thanks again for such a wonderful year!

By Stephanie Afful

We’ve just returned from a fabulous Annual Conference on Teaching in Minneapolis two weeks ago, and I’m still riding the wave of inspiration. With over 300 attendees—nearly a third of them first-timers—it was our largest gathering yet! From karaoke and a surprise Ted Lasso sighting to meaningful, vulnerable conversations with colleagues and a charge for the next round of educational leaders, the conference was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. I left with my cup refilled.

One comment from a session continues to resonate with me: We teach humans, not courses. That sentiment echoed throughout the conference, where I felt both the physiological and psychological comfort of being surrounded by supportive colleagues—people who understand the current challenges we face in higher education, who lead with empathy, and who remain deeply committed to our shared mission.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as STP President this year and for the amazing members I’ve had the privilege to work alongside. If you don’t already know, our Executive Director, Sue Frantz, is the steady hand keeping this mission afloat. Our Executive Committee members are equally generous, consistently giving their time and energy to support our organization.

I’m excited (for more than one reason!) to pass the torch to your next STP President, Drew Christopher. And I want to give the loudest possible shoutout to our ACT Director, Garth Neufeld. His inaugural year was an absolute banger, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. He’s backed by a stellar team: Assistant Director Blake Nielson and committee members Chelsea Robertson and Jennifer Grewe, who helped make this conference a reality.

This month, I hope you’ll take time to invest in the humans you teach and the colleagues you work alongside—both at your home institution and within STP. I’m still savoring the sense of safety and connection I felt at the conference. It’s easy to lose sight of that as we are deep into midterm grades, advising, and spring planning. So pause, pass on some gratitude, and reconnect with your “why” for teaching.

Thank you for being an STP member!

by Garth Neufeld, ACT Director

October 1, 2025

I love magic.

I love card tricks, buildings disappearing, and rabbit after rabbit after rabbit pulled from a hat. I recently saw Colin Cloud, a mentalist, in Las Vegas. It was magic. For an opening trick, he borrowed wedding rings from audience members, interlocked them, held them dangling from one another, and even let the audience tug on the 50k+ string of precious metal.

When a stage trick defies our expectations and the rules of the world as we know them, it exposes a gap in our understanding. Our critical-thinking brains then fire off multiple hypotheses to try to make sense of it all, but none closes the gap. Finally, with awe and wonder, we identify that gap: magic. [cue warm feelings + gratitude.]

The Society for the Teaching of Psychology’s (STP) Annual Conference on Teaching (ACT) has been a bit of magic for me over the years. But instead of trap doors, it has opened doors; instead of making me disappear, it has given me a place to be seen; and rather than squeezing me into a box, it has allowed me to contribute in very personal ways.

In just a couple of weeks, we will welcome 120 first-time attendees to ACT. I remember my first ACT, over 10 years ago. I was new to it all, and I knew exactly one person at the conference. It was scary. With my non-traditional professional and educational history, I didn’t know how I would be welcomed. Fortunately, there was a gap between my fearful expectations and the way this community operated.

ACT is made up of incredible, supportive colleagues who nurture one another toward success. In my experience, it is a culture of openness and generosity. Where other academic research conferences can carry an expectation of tearing down or excluding, the spirit at STP is to build up. I don’t know how else to explain my professional journey from that first ACT to this one, where I now serve as conference director.

I know that we live in a time when not everyone feels welcome. My hope, and our aim, is that ACT continues to be a refuge for people across all sorts of spectrums—a place where we come together to strengthen and support one another and celebrate the pursuit and gift of psychology. I also know that the ability to travel to an in-person conference is a privilege not everyone has. With that in mind, we will soon announce more information about our virtual teaching conference in February 2026. It will be low-cost, and we hope all will attend.

I look forward to seeing many of you soon for some ACT magic in Minneapolis!

by Stephanie Afful, STP President
September 1, 2025

Dr. James (Jim) H. Korn, former Division 2 president and beloved Professor Emeritus at Saint Louis University, passed away on July 17, 2025. Jim was a staunch advocate for teacher training, research ethics, and one of the driving forces behind not only the creation of the Fund for Excellence (FFE) but also fundraising, serving as the FFE’s executive secretary. The FFE continues to support our teaching excellence awards today.

Jim served as a professor at Saint Louis University for over 30 years, where he helped establish the university’s teaching and learning center. I was fortunate to have Dr. Korn in a graduate seminar on the Teaching of Psychology. One of my favorite memories from that class was an early assignment: we were asked to develop our teaching philosophies through creative poster presentations. As a crafty gal, I was here for it, but I remember some of my classmates were less thrilled to hunt down craft supplies. True to his reflective nature, Jim revised the assignment for the next cohort based on our feedback—a small but meaningful example of his responsiveness and care.

In graduate school, we are still trying to figure out “what we wanted to be when we grew up”… a researcher or a teacher? Dr. Korn really created safe space for us to explore these roles and was the first to introduce us to the idea of a scholar-teacher. My own love of teaching and involvement in STP is, in large part, due to his influence.

I had the honor of following in Jim’s footsteps as President of Division 2, nearly four decades after his own term. Even after his retirement and my graduation, Jim continued to mentor me. As a gesture of profound respect, he gave me his teaching book library and his graduation regalia.

I have been re-acquainting myself with the books and found notes to me (see pictures) and handwritten notes in margins and highlighting—such a small and personal memento. Commencement is always an emotional time, but wearing his regalia makes it even more meaningful.

While preparing his obituary (forthcoming in Teaching of Psychology), I reached out to several STP and SLU colleagues. I knew what Jim meant to me, but it’s been a joy to learn what he meant to so many others. Common themes emerged: Jim was authentic, generous, and fun—he loved to dance at conferences—and he taught us not only to be good teachers, but to be good humans.

Our last correspondence earlier this year was about a social media post from SLU celebrating my presidency and referencing Jim’s historical term. In fact, SLU has produced four STP presidents—a legacy that speaks to the culture of mentorship and excellence Jim helped foster. He was proud—proud that his students were continuing his work, advocating for teaching, and mentoring the next generation.

Jim reminds us that teaching is truly a privilege. If you feel so inclined, you can also donate to our Fund for Excellence, to continue his legacy of promoting teaching excellence. Let this also serve as a gentle reminder: even in the hustle of a busy semester, take a moment to check in on your people—and thank your mentors.

by Stephanie Afful, STP President
August 1, 2025

August is a bittersweet month. While we are savoring the last few days of summer break, we are also getting back into syllabus mode. I hope you took time to recharge this summer. Personally, I am still riding the burnout train, so I am especially thankful for the summer break—it gave me just enough space to miss the routine and my students!

APA Convention

Speaking of August, I wanted to highlight our upcoming programming at APA in Denver (August 6-9). Convention is BIG, but division programming offers not only discipline specific research but also best practices in teaching. To help with your planning—whether you're attending in person or virtually—check out APA’s curated list for psychology educators  and Division 2-specific sessions. 

• If you’ll be at APA, I hope you will join us for:

  • Harry Kirke Wolfe Lecture
    August 7, 1:00 pm
    Dr. Bridgette Martin-Hard 
• • STP Presidential Address
    August 7, 4:00pm
    Dr. Stephanie Afful
• • Brewer Award
    August 8, 2:30pm
    Dr. Karen Brakke 
• • Distinguished Scholar Lecture for Teaching
    August 9, 8:00am
    Dr. Michael Tomasello

 APA Council

Our APA Council also meets just prior to convention. A big thank-you to our Division 2 representatives- Bill Altman, Jodie Ulman and Linda Woolf– for their continued service. I also want to thank our Vice President of Membership, Danae Hudson, who is serving as a substitute for this August’s Council meeting.  

APA Elections

Lastly, you may have read in previous newsletters that our very own Linda M. Woolf (STP’s 2023 President) is running for APA 2026 President-Elect. The STP Executive Committee has endorsed her candidacy and I encourage all APA members to research this year’s slate of candidates . Voting opens August 1 and runs through September 15. Current APA members will receive an email with a link to vote. You can listen to more of Linda’s presidential vision on a recent PsychSessions episode  and learn more on her campaign website.  

ACT Early Registration

As you are planning your Fall professional development, also remember that early registration for ACT ends August 15! 

As the summer winds down, I hope you take a few more moments to recharge as we head into the Fall term, ready to reconnect with our students and colleagues, refresh our courses (maybe with some insights from APA convention!), and refocus our mission for teaching!

By Stephanie Afful, 2025 STP President

It is my great privilege to award this year’s Presidential Citations to two inspiring colleagues: Dr. Stephen Chew and Dr. Susan Nolan. STP’s Presidential Citations recognize “individuals who have made extraordinary lifetime contributions to the Society and/or to the teaching of psychology.”

Many of you have read their work, engaged in meaningful conversations and collaborations with them at conferences, and witnessed firsthand their profound impact on the teaching of psychology. The highlights that follow only begin to capture their contributions—but they more than justify STP’s highest recognition.

Dr. Stephen L. Chew

Professor of Psychology, Samford University

Dr. Chew’s teaching excellence has been widely recognized by STP (2005 Robert S. Daniel Excellence in Teaching Award), APA (2018 Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award), and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (2011 U.S. Professor of the Year).

But his impact extends far beyond the classroom. I want to especially highlight his exceptional writing, his generosity in sharing resources, and his remarkable ability to build community—through workshops, keynotes, thoughtful publications, and behind-the-scenes contributions.

His textbooks, columns, and online content have enriched psychology education for countless instructors. His willingness to share resources—whether through YouTube or STP forums—embodies the spirit of mentorship and collaboration that defines our community. His leadership as NITOP conference director has also been invaluable in fostering meaningful connections.

Colleagues describe Steve as “brilliant and humble” and a “consummate teacher.” A long-time advocate of active learning, Steve has inspired generations of educators. Past STP President Amy Fineburg, one of Steve’s former students, modeled her early teaching style after his, encouraging students to demonstrate psychological concepts in class. Steve not only cares about his own students, but all students.

Steve’s commitment to student success is evident in his widely viewed YouTube series on effective, cognitively based study strategies—now with over two million views. He also founded PsychFriday, a long-running event in Birmingham that engages high school students, teachers, and the public in psychology, while giving Samford students a platform to present their work.

Dr. Susan A. Nolan

Professor of Psychology, Seton Hall University

Dr. Nolan has an extraordinary record of service to STP (President, 2021), the Eastern Psychological Association (President, 2014), and Seton Hall (Faculty Service Award, 2014). She is a two-time Fulbright Scholar, the author of widely used Introduction to Psychology and Statistics textbooks, and a frequent contributor to Psychology Today.

I want to especially recognize Susan’s visionary leadership in expanding STP’s international programming and championing global learning. From her role as Vice President of Diversity and International Relations, through her presidency and its initiatives, to her current position as Director of International Programming, Susan has done more than anyone to bring STP’s resources to a global audience.

Under her leadership, STP has sponsored conferences in Australia, France, India, and Mexico, and partnered with international teaching organizations. Her work as co-founder and lead of the International Collaboration of Undergraduate Psychology Outcomes (ICUPO) has been especially impactful in defining global competencies.

In addition to her textbooks, writing, and advocacy, Susan is a true leader in every space she occupies.  Susan is a generous and skilled collaborator. She consistently uplifts students and colleagues—presenting with them, nominating them for opportunities, and helping advance their careers. She actively seeks out new collaborators and ensures that programs and initiatives are inclusive and welcoming.

Susan builds coalitions and opens doors. Her international work reflects her unique ability to rally people around the shared mission of teaching psychology effectively to as many students as possible.

Please join me in congratulating two of the very best, Dr. Stephen L. Chew and Dr. Susan A. Nolan! We will also be honoring them in Minneapolis this October at ACT. 

By Stephanie Afful, 2025 STP President

This has been a challenging semester, as the current U.S. administration threatens our academic freedom, funding, and curriculum, particularly for psychology educators. The STP presidential initiatives this year center around preventing burnout. I suspect that many of you are feeling burned out at the end of the semester, which may be exacerbated by the constant news about executive orders and the subsequent changes at institutions. Personally, I have felt more vulnerable and unstable in the classroom than I ever have before, as I teach Social Psychology, Psychology of Prejudice, and Human Sexuality. Given this suspected shared vulnerability, I wanted to share some of the work the STP Executive Committee has done to protect our mission and continue to provide resources that align with our values.

In March, the Executive Committee reviewed our mission statement (as we do annually), and affirmed our mission to “promote equity and social justice for teachers and students of psychology with marginalized, racially minoritized, and intersecting identities” as well as to continue to seek diverse candidates for all positions, and include our Statement on Addressing Systemic Racism in STP in all position announcements. STP does not receive federal funds, and therefore, we have the freedom to choose not to yield to the anticipatory fear and over-compliance. As re-organizations are happening on college campuses, we hope that STP, along with APA, can provide resources and community that demonstrate our continual commitment to inclusive pedagogy and representation.

To that end, we want to mention a few resources that may be helpful during this time:

• APA has published resources to navigate these policy changes in their advocacy center. APA is also asking members to share their stories of how these executive orders have affected their professional efficacy and use those stories as they meet with lawmakers. Our own APA Council representative, Linda Woolf, shared her experience on Capitol Hill in our last newsletter.
  
  
• Another way we support each other is to join our Affinity Groups. We have groups (e.g., Latinx educators, Queer educators) that share resources on their own Listserv, and some meet virtually or at ACT. You are not alone, and one of the greatest strengths of our STP community is the generous social support we give to each other.
  
  
• We also have created three new travel grants that aim to assist under-resourced groups to travel to this year's STP in-person Annual Conference on Teaching (ACT). In addition to our other travel grants, we hope those eligible will consider applying for the Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Instructors ACT travel grant, the Community College Instructors ACT Attendance travel grant, or the Caregivers ACT travel grant (to help alleviate some of the financial burden of caregiving responsibilities). The MSI and Community College grants were recommendations from Past-President Diane Finley’s task forces. We owe a big thank you to Vice President for Grants & AwardsMorton Ann Gernsbacherand Vice President for Membership Danae Hudson for their work on the Caregiver grant.
  
  

• Finally, please do check out our existing Diversity & International Relations related resources. While the new VP for Diversity & International Relations and committees work to update these offerings and launch new projects consistent with our mission, we also have many years of Diversity Matters blog posts, guidance on decolonizing Introductory Psychology, resources from other agencies, and more. We will continue to work to advocate for and recognize the important diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging related work our members are doing. 

As you may already be aware, STP has made significant financial cuts this year. Our goal continues to be to protect funding for under-resourced groups (e.g., the aforementioned travel grants, protecting reduced student ACT registration rates, and STP member rates). As an organization, STP will continue to seek programming and resources to advocate for psychology educators and our students! We welcome all viewpoints and your feedback as this conversation evolves. Thank you for being an STP member during this critical time in our discipline. 

By Stephanie Afful, 2025 STP President

This month’s presidential column is brought to you by Jordan Troisi, our Vice President for Programming. I want to extend an extra dose of gratitude to both Jordan and our ACT Director, Garth Neufeld, for their continuous work to find the best balance between our financial needs and our members’ needs. As always, please reach out to any of us with questions or concerns.

***

As announced in our March Letter from the President, the STP Executive Committee is reevaluating the organization’s budget, financial philosophy, and policies. Over the years, the organization’s expenses have increased substantially but our income has not kept pace.

Most attendees at the in-person Annual Conference on Teaching are probably unaware of the many financial obligations of hosting the conference. However, to put it succinctly, STP has incurred significant financial losses when hosting this conference. The average registration rate paid by an ACT in-person attendee does not even cover the conference meals they are provided, let alone the many other expenses associated with putting on the conference (e.g., AV costs, WIFI costs, poster board rentals). This is in contrast to the model used by many other professional societies, where conference registration is a major source of income for the society. Though we would love to continue to subsidize registration to support as many possible attendees as possible at ACT, it is no longer fiscally possible.

STP’s Executive Committee has approved new conference registration rates, which will be updated on the ACT webpage soon. The rate increases will help the in-person ACT get closer to breaking even across revenues and expenses. In keeping with STP’s Mission, we have endeavored to adjust these rates equitably. Specifically, the largest increase in rates will be borne by full-time faculty member attendees, whereas student rates have only gone up slightly.

Though we know an increase in conference expenses is never the most welcome news, we hope these adjustments will allow STP to continue providing an outstanding ACT in-person experience for the years to come.

By Stephanie Afful, 2025 STP President

Have you ever wondered what your Executive Committee does? A core of our mission is to provide “resources and services, access to a global collaborative community, and opportunities for professional development.” Much of our discussion in our monthly executive meetings focus on increasing grants and awards, supporting diverse programming, and increasing the reach to our members. This year, our focus has been more specific to our overall financial health. To that end, the Executive Committee approved the following statement:

In our desire to ensure long-term support for our membership, STP is reevaluating our budget and financial philosophy. Just as many of our universities and institutions are financially strapped, so too are professional organizations.  Over the years, our expenses have continued to increase as we have expanded grants, awards, and programming to support our members, but our income has not kept pace. Historically, we have set the registration fees for our Annual Conference on Teaching low; however, that well-intended decision has led to significant financial losses every year. Unfortunately, we cannot sustain this pattern for the good of our members and the longevity of the organization. The STP Executive Committee is realigning the budget to better balance expenses with income, focusing on our mission-based priorities and efforts that best serve our members.

In addition to our monthly meetings, your Executive Committee also meets in-person twice a year for more intensive business meetings. This year, the EC made the difficult decision to cancel our in-person Spring meeting and meet via zoom March 6 and 7. In that time, we were able to discuss more specific changes needed to remedy our budget, but also some opportunities for growth. You will see some of these changes coming soon (e.g., new ACT registration rates).

Please know that these decisions are made with great care and sacrifice. It is our duty to be good financial stewards of the organization. We recognize that in a time where higher education is highly vulnerable, this too may feel like another blow. We hope you will still lean in and find community in STP. Please reach out with any questions.