Spotlight On: Ryan Honomichl, Assistant Professor of Psychology

Every week, Hiram College News will profile one faculty member. Check back at the beginning of each week for the new profile.

This week, we feature Ryan Honomichl, assistant professor of psychology.

What made you choose to teach at Hiram College?

I went to a small liberal arts college myself and enjoyed that kind of atmosphere. When I applied and interviewed at Hiram, it felt like a very familiar environment for me.

What would you tell prospective students about Hiram College?

I would say this is an excellent place to come and try on different hats and to also learn how to be the captain of your own ship. You have opportunities here that you would not have at a larger institution. If you are determined and willing to do the work, it can pay off handsomely.

How would you describe Hiram College?

We are a small liberal arts college that engenders a strong sense of community.

What do you think about having a 12 and 3 week instead of a one 15-week semester?

I think it is great for faculty and students in terms of reducing the demands of the larger semester. It allows for intensive and detailed analysis of issues in the 3-Week. However, it also demands a high level of focus and commitment from both faculty and students – especially students.

How would you describe Hiram College students?

Hiram College students are invested in a small, close-knit community and are intellectually curious and motivated to learn.

How would you describe your faculty colleagues?

They are a diverse, motivated and inspired group of people who are doing what they do because they love it. I would say that teaching and conducting research with motivated undergraduate students is why we come to Hiram. You get to work in an intimate environment where you can make an impact.

What has kept you here at Hiram College?

My colleagues and students definitely keep me here. I love the people that I work with and the opportunities I get to learn and grow as a scholar and an instructor by teaching classes I would never get to teach at a larger institution, such as interdisciplinary classes, colloquium and seminars.

What are some of the typical career paths for students interested in majoring in psychology?

People need to understand that psychology is not just about talking to people on a couch in a therapist office. Psychology is the study of human thoughts and behavior in a variety of contexts that could mean anything from medicine to law to marketing to social work to policy making. It really doesn’t come down to what you can do with a psychology degree; it comes down to what you cannot do. In any field that has human interaction, you are going to have psychological aspects.

Tagged psychology