Congratulations go to our long-time colleague Dr. Beth Dietz, who was just appointed Chair of Social and Behavioral Sciences on the regional campuses. Beth has served Miami in many important capacities, including the University Promotion and Tenure Committee, the Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities, and supporting many on-line teaching and research efforts. Beth will be replacing Dr. Sree Subedi, who served as Chair of Social and Behavioral Sciences for the past several years. Congrats to Beth in this new role — we know the regionals will benefit greatly from her energy, expertise, and insights!

Congratulations to Jordan Rubin-McGregor (and her advisor, Jeff Hunger) for receiving a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Rubin-McGregor is currently a post-bac lab director at Princeton University, and she will be joining the social program as a first-year graduate student in Fall 2021. Jordan was one of 20 students in social psychology this year to receive a NSF GRF. Congrats to Jordan and Jeff!

The department is seeking applicants for Visiting Assistant Professor/Instructor positions to teach full-load of undergraduate courses especially in Social Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and/or Research Methods and Statistics. Positions are for one year, with potential for renewal dependent upon performance and funding. Multiple positions may be available. Our department strongly values diversity and inclusivity and is committed to diversifying the representation of its faculty.

More details, including information for applying, is available on Miami’s jobs website.

Congratulations goes to our own Allie Farrell, who was named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science. Allie was selected from a cohort of psychologists whose PhDs were awarded between 2015 and 2018. Rising Stars are selected from recently-minted PhDs who have demonstrated excellence in publications, demonstrated independence from mentors, and work with broad impact.

Congratulations goes to the following five undergraduates who were awarded University Summer Scholar awards and to their faculty mentors: Kalia Fennell (Anna Radke), Jackson Heitt (Jeff Hunger), Brianna Masters (Anna Radke), Zoe Platow (Matt McMurray), and Catherine Wasylyshyn (Jenn Quinn). After having USS cancelled last year, it’s encouraging to see the program revived for the summer of 2021!

Congratulations goes to Yvette Harris and Cricket Meehan for receiving a $2300 grant from Ohio State for their project entitled, “The Impact Of Drug Laws On The Lived Experiences Of Currently Jailed And Previously Jailed African American Mothers, Their Children And Caregivers.”

Congratulations goes to Sarah Dreyer-Oren, who was just awarded a prestigious NIAAA National Research Service Award for her project entitled, “Linking Alcohol Use Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder: The Role of Positive Emotions.”

Sarah is in her fifth year of the clinical doctoral program, with Elise Clerkin as her advisor. The fellowship will also provide Sarah with professional development support to help prepare her for a career as an independent clinical scientist. Congrats to Sarah, her mentor (Elise), and her Miami consultants (Josh Magee, Liz Kiel) for this well-deserved recognition!