That desire has guided Suzannah Lea from her first days at Harley all the way to a recently earned M.S. in Experimental Psychology from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and it continues to shape her plans for a future career in neuropsychology.
Suzannah Lea joined Harley in kindergarten after her family began searching for a smaller school environment. She still remembers the welcoming classroom of Debi Moore (Lower School, 1988-2025) and Laura Joslyn ‘83 (Lower School, 2001-2025) and the feeling that her family had found exactly the right place.
Throughout her years at Harley, a number of teachers helped shape her path.
One of her earliest influences was physical education teacher Lorie Rick (1999-2025). During a swimming unit, Suzannah Lea struggled with confidence in the pool. Lorie got into the water with her, encouraged her to remove her flotation bubble, and helped her discover she could swim on her own.
That moment sparked a lifelong love of swimming. Suzannah Lea went on to join Harley’s swim team under coach Peter Mancuso (Physical Education, 1998-2002, Physical Education Director, 2002-2023), competing in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. Today, she continues to swim and has worked as a lifeguard at the Schottland Family YMCA.
She also fondly remembers Raj Singaravelu (“Mr. S”) (Lower School, 2004-07, Middle School History, 2007-present), whose engaging classes and outdoor lessons made fifth and sixth grade memorable, and Michael Frank (Digital Media, 2015-23), whose photography and yearbook classes nurtured her creativity. Photography remains a passion, and she recently reconnected with Mr. Frank at RIT, where he now works.
As she moved through Upper School, two classes proved especially influential. She had already known she wanted to work in psychology, but after taking John Dolan’s (Psychology, 1994-present) AP Psychology class, a class she really excelled in, it solidified her decision.
Bill Schara’s (US History, 1997-2021, 2022-23) AP Government course left a lasting impression as well. She admired his ability to make learning engaging and meaningful, creating a classroom where curiosity mattered more than grades. “He wanted students to get something out of the class,” she says. “He explored topics beyond the textbook and always found ways to keep us engaged.”
While Harley helped cultivate her academic interests, life experiences would ultimately define her professional goals.
As an Upper School student, Suzannah Lea suffered a concussion in a skiing accident. During her recovery, she worked closely with medical professionals, including neuropsychologists, and became fascinated by the brain and its remarkable ability to heal. Around that time, her father, Bill Sheeran P ‘19, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and gave her a firsthand view of the cognitive and emotional challenges that neurological disorders can create for both patients and families. Together, those experiences sparked an enduring interest in neuropsychology.
After graduating from Harley, Suzannah Lea initially planned to attend Stetson University, but she chose to remain closer to home following her father’s condition. She enrolled at St. John Fisher University, where she double majored in Psychology and Political Science. “Fisher felt like a college version of Harley,” she says. “I knew my professors and had close relationships with them.”
She also found herself exceptionally well prepared. The writing and research skills she developed at Harley, particularly her familiarity with APA style from Dr. Pat Malone P ’20’s (US English, 2009-2023, 2024-25) classes, gave her a strong foundation for college-level work. She earned Dean’s List honors seven out of eight semesters while taking a demanding academic load.
Following graduation, Suzannah Lea worked in the psychiatric unit at Strong Memorial Hospital, gaining valuable clinical experience before pursuing graduate study.
She began a master’s program at SUNY Brockport, where she started researching personality characteristics among individuals with Parkinson’s disease, before transferring to RIT’s Experimental Psychology program. There, she completed her master’s degree in just one year by taking an accelerated course load and transferring previous graduate credits.
At RIT, Suzannah Lea’s research focused on cognitive aging, executive functioning, and neuropsychological assessment. Earlier this year, she presented her work at the RIT Graduate Showcase, examining how age influences the relationship between cognitive reserve and executive functioning.
Her capstone project, “Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease,” brought together many of the interests that have shaped her academic journey. Through both her research and her work in RIT’s Neurobehavioral Lab, she explored the connections between cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and the real-world experiences of patients and caregivers.
She was also inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, while serving as a graduate assistant in the Department of Psychology and working at CIM’s (Center for Innovation in Manufacturing and Sustainability) at RIT. She has a real connection with her work there as her dad helped to create the program.
Today, Suzannah Lea continues her work as a research assistant while exploring opportunities that will prepare her for doctoral training. Her long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. or Psy.D. and build a career focused on neuropsychological assessment, research, and patient care.
