Psyched for the future: Meet PNW 2025 graduate Leanna Steverson
Leanna Steverson, ‘25, is not one to rest on her laurels — except maybe for a short, well-deserved break after completing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Purdue University Northwest (PNW).
Starting fall 2025, she will begin her graduate studies in PNW’s applied Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program with the goal of becoming a scholar and clinical psychologist.
As a first-generation student from Merrillville, Indiana, Steverson is proud to be the “trailblazer” for her family in taking her higher education as far as she can to enter an impactful career in service to others.
“I am so blessed and fortunate to have a family that supports me on this journey,” she said. “It is not just about making them proud but also making myself proud for accomplishing the things that I want to do. Sometimes there is uncertainty or nervousness, which is natural, but I feel more confident about the things I can do.”
I feel that I have known since high school that I wanted to earn a doctoral degree. When I found out about clinical psychology, I became interested in continuing my journey through that to learn more.
Why did you choose your major?
“I am a person who loves to know why people are the way they are. I also like to know not only how I can help myself, but also to help other people be the best versions of themselves, despite what they have gone through. Having been a child who had to take on adult responsibilities, that really changes your outlook on the world when you do not get to experience a ‘normal’ childhood.
So, I enjoy reading and understanding different psychology articles. I then can see that if I am feeling something, other people are feeling this too, and it turns into this larger understanding of the human experience.”
Did you have a pivotal experience while attending PNW?
“I would definitely say my research, as well as TRIO Student Support Services and the McNair Achievement Program.
My research with psychology has looked at how parentification impacts how people communicate. I have been positively challenged by taking a large idea and breaking it down to analyze some more niche aspect or question, as well as breaking down the steps to accomplish it.
With TRIO Student Support Services and McNair, I have had the opportunity to travel abroad to Puerto Rico, which was the first huge trip in my life. La Tonia Winston (director of PNW Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program) calls it ‘expanding my ethnographic lens.’ That experience helped me feel so much more confident in myself, my abilities and my skills to be a compassionate and effective leader. I have also had the opportunity to go to conferences and to build my confidence as an academic in acquiring knowledge and applying it.”
What are your plans after graduation and long-term career goals?
“I feel that I have known since high school that I wanted to earn a doctoral degree. When I found out about clinical psychology, I became interested in continuing my journey through that to learn more.
Especially as a doctoral candidate in psychology, I can travel around the world, do talks with people and be valued for my thinking and ideas. Plus, when you are a Doctor of Psychology, you are not an armchair psychologist — you are qualified to interpret data and better assess different circumstances.”
Was there anyone at PNW who inspired or encouraged you along the way?
Director of Hispanic-serving Institution Initiatives
“Iris is one of the main reasons I came to PNW. We met at Ivy Tech when I was deciding where to transfer to complete my four-year degree. She was instrumental in helping me see things about myself that I had not seen yet and she helped me conceptualize who I want to become.”
Director of PNW Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program
“Dr. Winston was instrumental in helping me build my academic career, my confidence and learning about all of the things I want to do. But she also really helped me understand to take things one at a time and that I can do everything in its proper season.”
Department Chair of Psychology
“She is my research mentor and she is amazing. Whenever I have felt overwhelmed or burnt out, she has checked in on me to always let her know when I need help. She has helped me develop my research to something tangible that contributes to the bigger picture.”