Sophie Psihoda Appointed Lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences

"An excellent introductory lecture that provides a very good overall overview"—that's how students rate their courses.

The Ferdinand Porsche University of Applied Sciences (FERNFH) has awarded Mag.ᵃ Sophie Psihoda, M.A., the title of university lecturer. This honor was long overdue: She has been part of the faculty since the very first day of the Aging Services Management (ASBA) program in 2014 and has played a key role in shaping the program.

There from the very beginning

“It’s simply a joy to see how professionally Sophie approaches her courses,” emphasized program director Barbara Prazak-Aram in her tribute speech. In the ASBA round-table course on gerontology, Sophie Psihoda, together with Georg Ruppe and Gerald Gatterer, introduces first-semester students to the field. In doing so, she draws on a combination of in-depth subject knowledge and practical experience.

The students appreciate this approach: “The assignments are designed to be very engaging, and they really help you deepen your knowledge,” says one participant. Another adds, “Ms. Psihoda is a great, knowledgeable, and personable instructor!” Even courses that require a lot of work are valued because they provide real learning benefits.

When Statistics Austria Meets the Lecture Hall

What sets Sophie Psihodas’s teaching apart is the direct connection between her professional work at Statistics Austria and the classroom. When she talks about demographic aging or long-term care statistics, she speaks from firsthand experience—after all, she works with exactly this data every day. The students also sense this authenticity: “The instructors’ feedback is detailed, helpful, and appreciative.”

What was particularly impressive was that even during her maternity leave, Sophie remained loyal to FERNFH and continued teaching. Together with fellow instructors such as Stefanie Kuso, she found creative solutions to continue providing her students with the best possible support.

FERNFH is proud to have Sophie Psihoda on its team—a faculty member who not only excels professionally but also inspires others on a personal level—and has done so for over a decade with unwavering dedication.

Thank you very much, Sophie, for your dedication to FERNFH and your valuable contribution to our students' education!