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NPA February, 2025 Member Spotlight

Sarah Hoff, PhD


Sarah Hoff,  PhD

How long have you been a member of NPA?

I joined NPA after moving back to Nebraska in 2016 and becoming fully licensed.   Why did you join? I joined because, as an early career psychologist, I wanted to have a community of fellow psychologists and find ways to get more involved. I enjoyed opportunities to meet others, such as Meet and Greets, ECP dinners, and trainings.  

Do you now, or have you previously volunteered with NPA (Board or Committee)?

I was given the opportunity to serve on the Board as the Secretary beginning in 2021, until I stepped down at the end of my term at the end of 2024. I also serve on the Membership Committee, helping find ways to reach out to current and future NPA members.

Tell us about your path to becoming a psychologist.

My path to my career began in high school when I became incredibly interested in the intersection of psychology and the legal system. This continued through college at Creighton University, where I was fortunate to have an incredible mentor related to forensic psychology. I continued to the clinical graduate program at UNL and participated in the law program, earning my Master of Legal Studies. I completed my predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino, California.  

I have primarily worked in a clinical/forensic role both at the Lincoln Regional Center (DHHS) and the Omaha Correctional Center (NDCS). In 2023, I transitioned out of health services to a role in facility administration as the Deputy Warden. I act as second-in-command for an 800 bed minimum security men’s prison, overseeing security and operations of the facility. 

What has been your biggest career challenge?

Moving out of psychology was a big leap, but it has been a wonderful challenge, and I feel like I have the opportunity to impact many people in my current role. I do maintain a private practice where I complete some forensic evaluations.  


What do you like to do when you aren’t working? Any fun hobbies/interests?

Reading is my favorite hobby, and moving into more of an administrative role I have found myself reading more books about leadership.  


What are you reading or listening to right now, or what is a recent book you read?

I have really enjoyed books by John Maxwell including "The Five Levels of Leadership”, as well as “Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. Also, I’m a big history buff - I love reading historical books, autobiographies, and memoirs. I recently read a book about Fort Sumter and the start of the Civil War, so now I am hoping to someday be able to visit it in person! 


What’s a project you are working on right now? Why is it meaningful?

There is a great documentary called “26.2 to Life” which is about a group of volunteers who lead a running group at San Quentin Prison in California. The documentary captures the life-changing aspects of running, especially for those involved as they lead up to running a full marathon within the prison. Inspired by this, I reached out to the Omaha Running Club to see if they would be interested in starting something like that here. We have been collaborating since last fall and have developed a proposal that was recently approved to start a running group here at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC). I am so excited to see how it plays out.

Download Member Spotlight PDF: Sarah Hoff

    

Past NPA Member Spotlights

Dec 2024 - Jennifer Burt

Nov 2024 - Dan Ullman

Sep 2024 - Chelsea Klinkebiel

Aug 2024 - Twila Preston

Jul 2024 - Nicole Schmidt

Jun 2024 - Megan Lawhon

May 2024 - Rick McNeese

Mar. 2024 - Gina May

Feb. 2024 - Jody Trejo

Jan. 2024 - Pamela May-Weeks

June, 2016 - Dennis McNeilly

May, 2016 - Pamela Richardson

April, 2016 - Jerry VanWinkle

February, 2016 - Dave Hansen

January, 2016 - Debra Hope

December, 2015 - Mary Fran Flood

November, 2015 – Shannon Black

October, 2015 – John "Jay" Curran

September, 2015 – Nancy Bradford

July, 2015 – Alayna Schreier

June, 2015 – Joe Swoboda

May, 2015 – Mikel Merritt

January, 2015 — Lyndia Madison

December, 2014 — Mark Hald

October, 2014 — Sarah Schaffer

August, 2014 — Brenda Rohren

July, 2014 — Heath Hodges

June, 2014 — April Davis


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