News
View News Archives
Nikki Bindschatel Retires from MSU Psychology
July 23, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
After 19 years of service at MSU, Nikki Bindschatel retires.
Flint Study Away Internship Spotlight – Nicole Bommarito
July 22, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Nicole Bommarito, a senior psychology major who is interning with Serenity House Communities through the Flint Study Away Internship Program.
Flint Study Away Internship Spotlight – Izzy Kupe
July 16, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Izzy Kupe, a 4th-year psychology major who is interning in the youth services department at Peckham through the Flint Study Away Internship Program.
After 30 years, David McFarlane Retires from MSU
July 12, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
After over 30 years of service, David McFarlane retires. Learn more about David's time at MSU and what his retirement plan are.
Flint Study Away Internship Spotlight – Cordelia Rutter
July 11, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Cordelia Rutter, a fourth-year psychology major who is interning at the Voices for Children Advocacy Center through the Flint Study Away Internship Program.
PSY Undergrad Internship Spotlight: Albiona Beka
July 9, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Albiona Beka, a psychology major interning at Origami Rehabilitation Center, a facility that treats clients who have sustained brain injuries. As a clinical intern, Albiona takes part in client interaction with the residential and outpatient programs and has also observed therapy and shadowed a physiatrist. Read on to hear more about Albiona's internship experience.
Young PSY Alum Spotlight: Bre Lind
July 3, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Bre Lind graduated in ‘22 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After graduating, Bre began working as a lab manager for the Clinical Psychophysiology Lab. She’s now wrapping up her time at MSU as she prepares to head to graduate school for a PhD in clinical psychology. We sat down with Bre recently to talk about her time at MSU, the importance of a gap year, and where she’s heading next.
New MSU study finds systematic biases at play in clinical trials
July 1, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Randomized controlled trials, or RCTs, are believed to be the best way to study the safety and efficacy of new treatments in clinical research. However, a recent study from Michigan State University found that people of color and white women are significantly underrepresented in RCTs due to systematic biases.
Ask the experts: How can we measure our own happiness?
June 24, 2024
Given the many sources of stress and anxiety individuals encounter each day, its not surprising that people often wonder if they are happy or not. Yet, how do people define happiness and well-being? What are some ways to view and conceptualize happiness? Michigan State University researchers can answer this question.
PSY Undergrad Internship Spotlight: Madison Williams
June 21, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Madison Williams, a psychology major interning at Saline Parks and Recreation Kid’s Camp this summer. As an assistant camp director and a camp counselor, Madison is busy with program planning and training junior counselors. Read on to learn more about Madison’s internship experience.
Diversity Torch: Justin Crouch
June 18, 2024 - Emily Jodway
Justin Crouch is a recent graduate who earned a degree in psychology with minors in history, international development and leadership in organizations. He was a PURI Grant recipient and the inaugural winner of the Henderson Family Award, a scholarship established in 2022 by Harold and Franzine Henderson.
Are melatonin supplements good for young adults to use?
June 13, 2024 - Elle Wernette, Shelly DeJong
Melatonin is widely used but little is actually known about it. Dr. Elle Wernette, a Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience alum, shares about her research project examining if melatonin supplements are good for young adults to use.
From Psych Major to HDFS Doctoral Candidate: A Spotlight on Qi Huang
June 11, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Psych alum, Qi Huang, is now a fourth-year doctoral candidate in Human Development and Family Studies. Learn more about Huang's journey from undergrad to a doctoral candidate, her dissertation research on international students facing academic dismissal, and what advice she has for international students navigating higher education.
Ask the Expert: Resilience and Well-being in Transgender and Nonbinary People
June 6, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
What is known about resilience in transgender and nonbinary people? How can gender affirmation play a role in better health outcomes? Jae Puckett, PhD, shares about their research focused on the health and well-being of transgender and gender diverse communities.
90% of Michigan state troopers are white - why making the force more representative is a challenge
June 6, 2024 - Ann Marie Ryan, PhD
Experts see increasing diversity among police as a key solution to reducing racial bias in traffic stops, arrest rates and officer-involved shootings. But while police agencies have invested in recruiting more racial minorities and women, progress in diversifying police forces has been slower than the public wants. As a researcher who works with police agencies to improve their hiring processes, Organizational Psychologist Ann Marie Ryan, PhD, shares her insights into how to accelerate this progress.
PSY Academic Advisor Noël R. Lugo Receives 2024 Initiative of the Year Award
May 29, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Congratulations to Noël R. Lugo, psychology academic advisor and coordinator of undergraduate diversity programs, on receiving the 2024 Initiative of the Year Award from the Office of Undergraduate Studies within the College of Social Science.
Ask the Expert: Disadvantaged Neighborhoods and Mental Health
May 20, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Can parents counteract a violent neighborhood? Does green space have an impact on brain development? Dr. S. Alexandra Burt shares about her research on under-resourced neighborhoods and its impact on mental health and brain development.
Psychology Professor William Chopik Receives Gerald R. Miller Award for Early Career Achievement
May 15, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Congratulations to Dr. William Chopik for receiving the 2024 Gerald R. Miller Award for Early Career Achievement from the International Association for Relationships Research (IARR).
Graduate Student Connor Eichenauer Receives 2024 Joseph L. White Award for Outstanding Graduate Contributions to J-DEI
May 13, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Congratulations to Connor Eichenauer, a 5th year graduate student specializing in Organizational Psychology, on receiving the 2024 Joseph L. White Award for Outstanding Graduate Contributions to JDEI.
Why so many jobs are boring: New MSU study identifies large interest gaps in US labor market
May 9, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
A recent study found large gaps between people’s career interests and U.S. job demands. These gaps indicate that the interest demands of the U.S. labor market differ drastically from the supply of interested people, revealing how many people have unfulfilled interests at work.
Sean Hankins named the recipient of the 2024 Dean's Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Staff Award
May 7, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
The College of Social Science has selected Sean Hankins, an academic specialist who serves as the director of the MSU Adolescent Diversion Program, for the 2024 Dean's Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Staff Award.
MSU experts weigh in on push for a shorter US workweek
May 7, 2024
Angela Hall is an associate professor in Michigan State University’s School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, and Chu-Hsiang “Daisy” Chang is a professor of organizational psychology in the Department of Psychology in the College of Social Science. Together, they answer questions about the potential effects of a reduced workweek, including labor history and potential implications.
Autism Awareness Month: A Behavioral Neuroscientist’s Insights on Social Play
April 25, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
What’s going on in your brain when you’re navigating social situations? And how exactly are social behaviors developed and regulated by the brain? Behavioral neuroscientist Dr. Alexa Veenema shares about her research on social play.
2024 Outstanding PSY Senior: Alisar Alabdullah
April 24, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Alisar Alabdullah the 2024 Psychology Outstanding Senior!
10 MSU PSY graduates receive Board of Trustees' Award for academic excellence earning a 4.0 GPA
April 16, 2024
During its April 12 meeting, the MSU Board of Trustees presented the graduating seniors with the Board of Trustees' Award, recognizing their achievement of the highest scholastic average one can receive, a 4.0 GPA.
MSU Psychology holds memorial luncheon in honor of Dr. Deborah Kashy
April 15, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Faculty, staff, alumni, graduate students, and friends gathered to remember and celebrate the lasting impact of Dr. Deborah “Debby” Kashy who passed away on September 8, 2023.
Psychology Communicator Shelly DeJong earns 2023-24 Matt Hansen Award for Support Staff
April 10, 2024 - Emily Jodway
The College of Social Science Dean’s Advisory Committee of Support Staff recently announced Shelly DeJong as the winner of the 2023-24 Matt Hansen Award for Support Staff.
Clinical Science graduate student receives the Caldwell Award
April 9, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Alexandra Vazquez, a psychology graduate student in the Clinical Science area, was awarded the Bob and Bets Caldwell Land Grant Values Award for her notable record of service-oriented research, mentorship, and community involvement.
Journey to UURAF with Sophia Futo and Sumaiya Imad
April 7, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
First-year Social Science Scholar students, Sophia Futo from Ohio and Sumaiya Imad from Bangladesh, were awarded Provost Undergraduate Research Initiative (PURI) funding to research how people with lived experience of psychosis can be better involved in clinical psychology research. Working with Dr. Katy Thakkar, they are doing a comprehensive literature review in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other locations around the world. We met with Sophia and Sumaiya to talk about their research, what has surprised them along the way, and why this work is important to them.
MSU Organizational Psychologist Meets with Congressional AI Task Force Members
April 2, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Organizational Psychologist Dr. Christopher Nye has been at the forefront of addressing the intersection of AI and workforce dynamics. Recently he met with two members of the Congressional Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.
Meet Clinical Science Alum Sharon Adusei
March 29, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Dr. Sharon Adusei earned a PhD in Psychology from Michigan State, specializing in Clinical Science. She is now a Clinical Strategy Manager at a digital health start-up, she works clinically with children and parents in her private practice, and she services on two boards. She shared recently about her time at MSU, how it set her up for success in her many roles today, and what advice she has for current students.
Community-Centered Leadership: A Q&A with Dr. Kwesi Brookins
March 25, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Dr. Kwesi Brookins, Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement and professor in the Ecological-Community Psychology program. Dr. Brookins will be delivering the keynote at the Joseph L. White lecture series on April 5th at 1:30M.
Faculty voice: Three myths about personalities
March 20, 2024 - Ted Schwaba, Ph.D.
Dr. Ted Schwaba shares three myths that you may assume to be true about personalities, but current findings robustly refute.
MSU drives conversation, research on the future of work
March 17, 2024 - Jack Harrison
Faculty from across MSU colleges and representatives from community organizations came together to collaborate and engage on the subject of the future of work. Expert-led interactive discussions centered on four topics, including human interaction with artificial intelligence, accessibility changes to technology, new skills in the labor market and government engagement. Additionally, graduate students presented their research on the future of work.
Research Spotlight: Ignacio Acevedo
March 17, 2024 - Karessa Weir
Associate Professor of Psychology and Core Faculty in Chicano/Latino Studies, Dr. Ignacio Acevedo has contributed greatly to the research on how young people access services and supports, especially within Latine communities. It is the basis of his Community-AID Lab which uses data to develop, disseminate and improve sustainable preventative and positive development programs for all youth.
Environmental Pollution, Social Injustices, and Cognitive Health: A New Study in Southeast Louisiana
March 15, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Thanks to recent funding, Dr. Kas Anderson Jr. and a team will be scientifically studying the impact of air pollution and social detriments of health on quality of life and cognitive health for older Black Americans in rural Louisiana.
MSU Criminal Psychology Club Spotlight: Iliana Wilson
March 13, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Iliana Wilson, the President of the MSU Criminal Psychology Club! Iliana is pursuing dual degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice with plans to graduate in the fall of 2024. As a Spartan, Iliana has had multiple research experiences including interning with the Cold Case Unit with the Michigan State Police. Read on to learn why Iliana chose Psychology and Criminal Justice, what the Criminal Psychology Club is all about, and what some of her best advice is for other students.
PSY Staff Spotlight: Darlene Dalessandro
March 13, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Darlene Dalessandro, an Academic Program Coordinator who has helped countless graduate students over the years! Read on to learn what Dar likes most about her job, how she describes herself, and more!
Meet Organizational Psychology Alumna Dr. Jen Wessel
February 29, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Dr. Jen Wessel earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from Michigan State, specializing in Organizational Psychology. Now an associate professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, Dr. Wessel reflects on her time at MSU, how it impacts her work today, and what three pieces of advice she has for current graduate students.
Three PSY Graduate Students Receive College Research Awards
February 27, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Congratulations to three MSU Psychology graduate students on receiving research awards from the College of Social Science to support their dissertation work!
Meet Joy Pond, the New PSY Department Administrator
February 22, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
You might have noticed a new face in the Department of Psychology this week! Meet Joy Pond, the new PSY department administrator.
Diversity Spotlight: Pat Carey, PhD
February 14, 2024 - Becky Jensen
Dr. Patricia M. Carey graduated from MSU with a degree in Psychology and most recently served as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Vice Provost for Diversity Programs at New York University. She is a constant advocate for Black women in higher education and the pursuit of racial justice for all individuals.
Diversity Champion: Dr. Lee June
February 12, 2024 - Emily Jodway
Dr. Lee June, an MSU Psychology professor, has been involved in advocacy for racial justice his entire life, inspiring students to be ‘justice fighters' in their own right. He is an award-winning author, has taught in the Honors College and the African Studies program and has served in a variety of advisory positions for university multicultural and diversity issues.
Adolescent Diversion Program Spotlight: Mariella Battley
February 7, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Mariella Battley is a senior pursuing a Psychology Bachelor of Science degree. During her time at MSU, she has been involved with the Adolescent Diversion Program (ADP) first as a student and secondly as an undergraduate assistant. Read to learn how ADP impacted her, what she hopes for the future, and what advice she has for current students.
MSU making voice-activated AI more accessible, fair
February 5, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
A multidisciplinary team, including Organizational Psychologist Dr. Ann Marie Ryan, receives a $5 million NSF award to make voice-activated AI accessible and fair to people who stutter.
Dr. Lucy Thompson Published in Handbook of Power, Gender, and Psychology
January 31, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Congratulations to Dr. Lucy Thompson on authoring a chapter in The Palgrave Handbook of Power, Gender, and Psychology. Dr. Thompson’s chapter addresses the critical need for feminist perspectives in psychological understandings of workplaces and organizations. Read on to hear her approach as a critical feminist psychologist, why this framework is vital to work and organizational research, and what advice she has for students entering the workplace.
MSU’s Program Evaluation Student Has Global Impact
January 30, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Throughout Fahim Safi's travels around the world, Fahim is pursuing a graduate degree through MSU’s Program Evaluation online program. Hear from his own words about the impact he’s having in the world, why he chose program evaluation, and what advice he would give to people looking to make a difference in the world.
Adolescent Diversion Program Spotlight: Jessica Bryson
January 25, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Jessica Bryson is a Psychology and Criminal Justice major with a minor in Youth and Society. As a sophomore, Jessica participated in the Adolescent Diversion Program (ADP) an experiential learning course that involves training undergraduate students to work with local youth who are involved in the juvenile court system. Jessica shared recently about how ADP impacted her, how it has helped shape her goals for the future, and what advice she has to future psychology majors.
College of Social Scientists shined in this year’s Diversity Research Showcase
January 24, 2024 - Karessa Weir, Shelly DeJong
Students from MSU College of Social Scientists brought home a wide variety of awards at this year’s Diversity Research Showcase hosted by MSU Honors College. This annual university-wide showcase features MSU undergraduate student work or work in progress on issues of diversity that advance inclusion.
Dr. Buchanan Reappointed to Michigan Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention & Treatment Board
January 19, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Congratulations to MSU Psychology professor Dr. NiCole Buchanan on her reappointment to the Michigan Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention & Treatment Board.
PSY Student Research Spotlight: Sam Barans
January 18, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Sam Barans, a senior majoring in psychology and mathematics, has worked hard over the years to acknowledge what he’s interested in and pursue what he’s most curious about. He received the Dean’s Assistantship Award which is allowing him to explore his research interests of better understanding barriers that individuals involved in the American justice system or are experiencing serious mental illness face in getting help. Sam shared recently about his research experiences, how his path led him to this point, and where he hopes to go in the future.
PSY Staff Spotlight: Mindy McLouth
January 17, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Meet Mindy McLouth, a friendly face in the MSU Psychology Clinic since 2005! Read on to learn what Mindy’s favorite thing about her job is, what she likes to do outside of work, and more!
Graduate Student Jo Alanis Receives J-DEI Research Grant
January 12, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Jo Alanis received the MSU Psychology Department’s Graduate Student J-DEI Research Grant. Jo recently shared about her work researching immigrants in the workplace, why this type of work is important to her, and what she wishes that she had learned earlier.
Since Roe was overturned, fewer Michigan adults want to have children
January 11, 2024
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, it created uncertainty for Americans’ access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care. This uncertainly may have led to an increase in the number of Michigan adults who said they never want to have children, according to Michigan State University researchers.
Now Accepting: Applications for the 2024 Joseph L. White Award for Outstanding Graduate Contributions to J-DEI
January 10, 2024
The MSU Department of Psychology's J-DEI Committee is now accepting applications for the 2024 Joseph L. White Award for Outstanding Graduate Contributions to J-DEI
Now Accepting: Applications for the 2024 Faculty/Staff Award for Outstanding Contribution to J-DEI
January 10, 2024
The MSU Department of Psychology's J-DEI Committee is now accepting applications for the 2024 Joseph L. White Award for Outstanding Staff/Faculty Contributions to J-DEI.
When do we become old? New MSU study explores age bias across 13 countries
January 9, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Age is but a number, right? Look at any birthday card aisle in the store and you are sure to see “50 is the new 30” or “You’re only as old as you feel.” A new study from Michigan State University explored age perceptions over the course of the lifespan of over one million people across 13 countries.
PSY Student Spotlight: Lia Moore from TheGreenCuisine
January 4, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Lia Moore, a senior MSU psychology major, recently launched a new vegan cooking show, TheGreenCuisine. In the pilot episode, Lia and her guest, Maliq Carr, recreate his favorite food but with plant-based ingredients. We sat down with Lia recently to talk about her pivot after a medical retirement from volleyball, her love of learning, and what led her to her new cooking show.
Jeneia Dinglasan Receives Undergraduate Award for Outstanding Contributions to J-DEI
January 3, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Congratulations to Jeneia Dinglasan, a psychology major with minors in social science qualitative data analytics and cognitive science, for receiving the MSU Psychology department’s Undergraduate Award for Outstanding Contributions to Justice, Diversity, Equity, and/or Inclusion.