Joseph L. White Ceremony honors the past and present work in access and excellence
April 15, 2026 - Shelly DeJong, Blair Burnette
On Friday, April 3rd, the MSU Department of Psychology held the Joseph L. White Award Ceremony & Lecture to honor his legacy as a transformative figure in African American psychology. As the first African American person to receive a doctorate in clinical psychology from MSU, Dr. White was a transformational figure who left an enduring mark on psychology and its inclusion of others.
In his honor, five awards were given to celebrate the work that our staff, faculty, students, and alumni are doing to advance access, opportunity, and excellence.
2026 Joseph L. White Award Winner: Dr. Nancy Hill
Dr. Nancy Hill is an alumna of MSU’s former development psychology program. This award recognizes alumna Dr. Nancy Hill’s unwavering value to translate her research into interventions that help youth in the community navigate the world. As a Harvard University professor, Dr. Hill is a leading scholar in her field, researching the mechanisms that impact youth opportunities for upward mobility and a successful post-secondary transition. She partners directly with school districts to develop and test interventions that strengthen youth academic engagement for better upward mobility. Throughout her community, engaged work, Dr. Hill has helped identify and implement structural and relational supports that help youth from diverse backgrounds thrive. She has been active in science translation and dissemination, including authoring several books.
Faculty and Staff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Access, Opportunity, and Excellence: Noël Lugo
Noël Lugo won this award for being a tireless and passionate advocate for increasing educational access and success for all students. Noel has created valuable programming to help undergraduate students from all backgrounds succeed, including an academic coaching program that serves students who are struggling, a workshop series to help students work through graduate school applications, and a peer mentorship program that provides guidance to students as they navigate their degrees.
Graduate Student Research Grant & Graduate Student Award for Outstanding Contributions to Access, Opportunity, and Excellence: Noelle Martin
Ecological-community psychology graduate student, Noelle Martin, won both awards for their participatory research methods that explore how safe, supportive sibling relationships can impact transgender and non‑binary youth. Noelle is conducting original data collection through a series of focus groups with youth to address an understudied area. Through Noelle’s research, advocacy, and community-based work, their work is directly relevant to improving mental health and access for marginalized youth.
Undergraduate Award for Outstanding Contributions to Access, Opportunity, and Excellence: Haley Price
Senior psychology major Haley Price was recognized for her research, service, and leadership roles that focus on improving how psychological services are delivered, understood, and made accessible to children with disabilities and their families. Haley currently serves as a Psychology Student Success Mentor and is also a research assistant in the MSU Autism Lab with Dr. Brooke Ingersoll. Her independent senior thesis compared provider and caregiver perspectives and goal selection within Applied Behavior Analysis services for children with autism. Her hands‑on clinical experience and mentoring demonstrate a sustained commitment to translating research into ethical, family‑centered care.
The award ceremony was followed by a lecture given by Dr. Nancy Hill titled, “The Evolving Role of Parenting in Supporting Adolescents on the Path to Adulthood.” Using data provided from a partnership with a public school, Dr. Hill explored how parents shape adolescents’ trajectories toward adulthood. Attendees included Dr. Hill’s former advisor, emeritus Dr. Hiram Fitzgerald, as well as Department of Psychology’s graduate students, faculty, and staff.
Congratulations again to all of the Joseph L. White awardees for your exemplary contributions to access, opportunity, and excellence in the field of psychology.