Dr. Lew Awarded Top Under 40 Award
Florida Southern College proudly celebrates Dr. Lew, Director of the MSIO Psychology program, for being named one of NTSA’s Top Under 40. The honor shines a light on her contributions to the modeling, simulation, and training (MS&T) community and her commitment to human-centered work. For Dr. Lew, the recognition offered a moment to pause and appreciate how far she has come. After years of curiosity-driven work, long nights, and a focus on understanding people and systems, she described the award as both “humbling and energizing,” adding that it affirms “the way I’ve chosen to approach my work” and signals that the efforts underway at FSC are truly making a difference.
The committee’s decision reflects several aspects of Dr. Lew’s influence. She has been intentional about bringing psychological science, particularly human factors, IO Psychology, and Self-Determination Theory, into the MS&T world, showing how a deeper understanding of human behavior can improve training systems, organizational culture, and overall effectiveness. She hopes the recognition reinforces that “when we align psychology and technology, we don’t just improve performance; we can make a consequential impact on society.”
Dr. Lew’s dedication to her students is just as significant. She spends countless hours helping them prepare for national conferences, develop research, and find their footing in spaces that can initially feel overwhelming. Watching students realize they belong in the MS&T community is something she describes as one of the most meaningful parts of her work. “I love watching students experience these environments for the first time and realize, ‘I can do this. I belong here.’” Moments like these, she says, fuel her commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars and practitioners.
Much of Dr. Lew’s leadership at FSC has centered on building structures that give students opportunities to grow. She founded the EMPOWER Research Lab, which encourages students to explore topics such as creativity, AI, burnout, vitality, human factors, and simulation-based training. She also created the MSIO Mentorship Program, connecting students with alumni and industry professionals who can offer guidance and support. Both initiatives were designed with long-term sustainability in mind, ensuring that future students will continue to benefit from the pathways she has built. Beyond campus, her consulting venture, Transformational Strategies Group LLC, extends this work into organizations, where she applies psychological science to help strengthen leadership, culture, and systems, another avenue through which she hopes to “elevate people, performance, and purpose.”
Dr. Lew’s service to the MS&T community goes far beyond her formal roles. She volunteers her time to guide students through their first ITSEC experience, reviews research submissions, and builds partnerships that expand learning opportunities. The efforts that resonate most deeply with her are those focused on inclusion, “helping first-generation, underrepresented in STEM, or new-to-simulation students find a home in this field.” Watching their growth as they “walk confidently into rooms they never imagined themselves entering is one of the most meaningful parts of my work,” Lew describes.
In the classroom, Dr. Lew brings her applied experience directly into the curriculum. Students engage with real-world case studies, consulting examples, and interdisciplinary projects that show how psychological science can shape training and decision-making. Through the EMPOWER Lab, they gain hands-on research experience and learn how to translate theory into meaningful practice. Her involvement in organizations such as ITSEC, SIOP, and HFES keeps the program connected to current trends and gives students insight into where the field is heading.
Looking ahead, Dr. Lew plans to continue broadening student participation at national conferences, strengthening research collaborations, and expanding the opportunities available through the EMPOWER Lab and MSIO Mentorship Program. Long-term, she hopes to grow her consulting practice as a platform for applying psychological science to organizational transformation and to continue developing FSC’s MSIO program into a regional and national leader in applied I/O psychology.
What keeps her inspired is simple: her students. Their creativity, growth, and willingness to challenge themselves motivate her daily. She is also energized by the fast-changing landscape of simulation, AI, and human factors, and by the knowledge that this work ultimately affects real people and real outcomes. “There’s always a new question to ask,” she shared, noting that the constant evolution of the field keeps her curious and engaged.
Dr. Lew hopes her recognition as an NTSA Top Under 40 award winner sends a clear message: that early-career professionals can make meaningful contributions, that interdisciplinary work between psychology and MS&T is powerful, and that FSC is cultivating a program where students thrive. Above all, she hopes it highlights the momentum building within the MSIO program and the shared commitment to research and practice that make a genuine impact.
Grateful for the mentors, colleagues, and students who have shaped her journey, Dr. Lew views this award as a reflection of a broader community dedicated to doing work that matters. Florida Southern College is proud to celebrate her leadership, innovation, and lasting influence on the MS&T community.
For more information or to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort, visit: https://flsouthern.edu/IO