Growing up, Susan Knight M’24 knew she wanted to do something in either psychology or law enforcement. Little did she know she would eventually end up doing both. Knight worked in law enforcement for twelve years as a police officer paramedic, cross-trained to perform both duties. Eventually, a life-altering back injury caused her to change paths. Rather than feel discouraged, Knight saw her injury as an opportunity to begin a career in psychology, which she had always been passionate about. Earning a psychology degree felt like the natural next step.
From the start, Knight knew she wanted to pursue a doctorate and chose Saint Mary’s for its early entry opportunities from the master’s to the doctoral program. Within the early entry program, she was able to apply to the Psy.D. program before completing her Master’s in Counseling and Psychological Services. After being admitted to the doctoral program, she began her doctoral studies after completing one year of master’s work.
“I knew I wanted to maximize my money and time,” she said.
Though Knight felt sure that psychology was the path for her, when she began her studies she wasn’t sure what she wanted to focus on within the field. She was intrigued by many topics, ranging from psychosis to post-traumatic stress disorder. It was thanks to a guest speaker in her multiculturalism class that she found the perfect fit: rehabilitation psychology.
Rehabilitation psychology focuses on helping individuals with disabilities due to injury or illness to improve their quality of life.
“When thinking about how I had to reckon with incorporating this new disability piece into my identity, it felt meant to be,” she said.
Her long-term goal is to work as a rehabilitation psychologist in a hospital setting, working with a wide range of professionals to help patients overcome both physical and mental barriers.
“I really love the team dynamic,” she said. “You’re part of a whole team to help someone going through something difficult, but also helping them develop hope.”
Knight has already jumped right into research. She participated in two studies that were presented at the MMPI/MPQ Research Symposium at the University of Minnesota in June of 2025, both of which examined care partners of veterans with traumatic brain injuries. She also co-authored “Perceived Injustice in Mixed Trauma and Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder: A Scoping Review,” which was presented at the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Annual Conference and Expo in September of 2025.
Knight’s research interests stem from her own experience undergoing a life-altering injury as well as witnessing others experience traumatic events while working as a police officer paramedic. Though her injury was a major life adjustment affecting both her career and lifestyle, she uses it as motivation for her research, which might one day help and inspire others. Knight is a proud mother — when she decided to go back to school, her son was only five years old.
“It was important to me that he saw his mom do something challenging and resilient,” she said. “I wanted to show him there are so many other great things to do.”
Through her schooling, research, and determination, Knight has done just that. She is excited for the career ahead of her and grateful for the support she has received from her professors and loved ones as she embarks on this unexpected journey.
“It wasn’t the plan, but the best you can do is make the most of it.”
