Department Spotlight: Jay Hinnenkamp

You will make mistakes in life and science; make sure you learn from each mistake.

Jay Hinnenkamp is a doctoral student in the USU Department of Psychology’s Behavior Analysis Program and a student in Dr. Greg Madden’s Behavioral Economics Lab. Hinnenkamp was recently awarded the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services award for Graduate Instructor of the Year. Hinnenkamp has taught PSY 1400 since fall 2013 and is an engaging, student-focused instructor. Hinnenkamp is planning to graduate this summer and has accepted a tenure-track faculty position at another institution.

 

How do you feel about the impact you’ve had on your students?

I hope that I’ve inspired each of them to pursue their passions. I also hope that I’ve equipped them with a basic set of scientific tools that will aid them on their journey.

What will you miss most about your position as a graduate instructor?

The students, their questions, and my day-to-day interactions with them.

What is the most important thing you learned at USU?

I learned to be malleable and to appreciate that our understanding of psychology is always changing.

What advice do you have for other students in the psychology department?

Hard work pays off. Be open to new and different perspectives, but always be skeptical of claims without data. You will make mistakes in life and science; make sure you learn from each mistake. Be patient with yourself and others. 

Share your best college memory.

My best college memories center around great scientific and philosophical conversations that I’ve had with my peers and advisors. If you’ve taken the time to have one of these conversations with me, I thank you.