Psychology Department Changes Professor Mid-Semester

The psychology department has dwindled to only one full-time psychology professor. The Monday before fall break, Oct. 16, the department suffered another loss. 

Oklahoma Christian alumna Abbie DuBois was included in the most recent bunch of admissions employees to be laid off by the university. DuBois served a dual role including a psychology adjunct professor. Amy Roberts, the Director of Admissions, was unavailable for comment on the sudden dwindling of the admissions department.

Junior Brianna Hicks, a student in DuBois’ Social Psychology class, described the last class with her. 

“It was fairly early in class, and she got a phone call. A couple minutes later, she comes back in and I would say that you could tell she was upset,” Hicks said, “She said classes are done for today. And we’re like, okay, we usually end class early, you know, a second job or whatever.”

In an email obtained by the Talon, Ryan Newell informed the class of 35 that DuBois was no longer employed by the university and he would be taking on his seventh class.

Hicks shared how the class is carrying on in light of the change and how the lack of preparation time could affect them in the final weeks of the course. 

“I can tell it’s stressful for both of us and for Newell, because he is teaching seven classes,” Hicks said, “He told us himself he hasn’t taught this class since 2018.” 

Ryan Newell, the only full-time psychology professor, commented on the uncommon challenges the department has faced this semester.

“This is an unusual semester. We lost a faculty member late in the summer who took a job at another institution,” Newell said, “Fortunately, it’s a class I’ve taught before. Students have been really accommodating and helpful, which has been nice.” 

Newell was informed of the change around the same time the students were. 

“This was an unusual situation to have to replace a professor midway through the semester,” Newell said, “While not ideal, it’s manageable, and we’ll get through it.”

The department will have to cut back on its class offerings for next semester due to the small staff.

“This is not a permanent solution. It just takes a little bit of time to find the right faculty members. We’ll get back to  normal function shortly,” Newell said.