Author Archives: mcconnar

Psychology undergrads receive PSAAAs

Three Miami Psychology majors received 2020 Provost Student Academic Achievement Award (PSAAA) recognitions. Brandon Arnold (advisor, Anna Radke), Gianna Valentic (advisor, Allen McConnell), and Brianna Stoll (advisor, Camilla McMahon) were selected for PSAAAs.

Award recipients are juniors at the time of their nomination and have amassed an exceptional record of academic achievement and sustained and significant contributions to the intellectual climate of their department, academic division, or campus. Congrats to Brianna, Brandon, and Gianna, who will be officially recognized by the university on August 28, 2020.

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

In recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Department of Psychology’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee is sharing the following resources for our department community to inspire further learning and conversation:

Psi Chi Faculty and Graduate Student of the Year for 2020

Psi Chi president Mackenzie Trevethan announced the 2020 recipients of the Psi Chi’s Faculty and Graduate Student of the Year awards. These honors are based on nominations and subsequent voting from our psychology majors. Brooke Cropenbaker was named Psi Chi Faculty Member of the Year and Max Teaford was named Psi Chi Graduate Student of the Year. Congrats to Brooke (this is her fourth time receiving this honor since joining our faculty in 2009) and Max (Jay Smart, advisor)!

Dissertation, Capretta scholars named

The Department of Psychology is pleased to announce that Alejandro Trujillo has been selected as Dissertation Scholar for the 2020-21 AY. Alejandro studies the processes underlying, and the consequences resulting from, social belongingness in areas including self-harm and intergroup relations. The Dissertation Scholarship will allow him to devote his full time to his dissertation work next year. Congrats to Alejandro (and his advisor, Heather Claypool)!

The Department of Psychology is also pleased to announce that the faculty have recommended that six of its graduate students be recognized with the Patrick J. Capretta Memorial Scholarship: Pankhuri Aggarwal (Vaishali Raval, advisor), Mitch Dandignac (Chris Wolfe, advisor), Joey Fredrick (Aaron Luebbe, advisor), Katie Knauft (Vrinda Kalia, advisor), Shelby Ortiz (April Smith, advisor), and Randi Phelps (Liz Kiel, advisor). The Capretta Scholarship recognizes the creation and dissemination of graduate student research and scholarship. Congrats to all of our Capretta recipients and their advisors!

Miami virtual graduation ceremonies May 16-17

Because of COVID-19, Miami will offer a virtual commencement experience on May 16 and 17 (visit website for details). Each division will hold its own virtual commencement, with the College of Arts and Science on Saturday (May 16) at 5 p.m., and the Graduate School on Sunday (May 17) at 9:30 a.m. Students will be able to congregate in virtual chatrooms to share in their experience. Miami is planning an in-person graduation ceremony to take place on September 12-13 (no additional details are available at this time).

Sarah Adut wins Three Minute Thesis competition

Congratulations go out to Sarah Adut, who won the Graduate School’s Three Minute Thesis competition on Tuesday evening, April 28, 2020. Her presentation on “The Imagery of Desire” was recognized with the First Place award and a $500 cash prize. She was among 10 finalists who took part in the final round. Congratulations also go out to Mitch Dandignac, who was also a finalist with his presentation on “The Arena of Medical Information and Misinformation.” Finally, kudos go out to Sarah’s (Josh Magee) and Mitch’s (Chris Wolfe) advisors as well!

Lizzi Pettit receives NDSEG fellowship

The department is proud to announce that Lizzi Pettit received a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) fellowship from the U.S. Department of Defense. The highly competitive fellowship provides three years of support (e.g., stipend, tuition remission, travel), and she was selected from among a pool of more than 4000 applicants. Congrats to Lizzi (and to her advisor, Joe Johnson)!

Four faculty colleagues receive promotions

During Spring Semester, four of our colleagues received official word regarding their promotions at the university. We could not be prouder of these people and their contributions to our students and to our department!

Dr. Joshua Magee was conferred tenure and promoted to Associate Professor. Josh has been a member of our department since 2015, and his research focuses on the consequences of unwanted thoughts for health and well-being, with this work supported by a K23 NIDA Career Development Award. Congrats Josh!

Dr. Brooke Cropenbaker was promoted to Teaching Professor. Brooke has been a member of our department since 2009, and her being a two-time finalist for the Knox Excellence in Teaching Award and her work with the Center for Teaching Excellence was highlighted in the Provost’s letter announcing her promotion. Congrats Brooke!

Dr. Jennifer Green was promoted to Clinical Professor. Jen has been a member of our department since 2005, and her work in securing more than $1M in clinical traineeship support and service on two key Senate committees was highlighted in the Provost’s letter announcing her promotion. Congrats Jen!

Dr. Peter Wessels was promoted to Teaching Professor. Pete has been a member of our department since 2005, and his innovative work in teaching PSY 111 and engagement in TCPL promotion and development issues was highlighted in the Provost’s letter announcing his promotion. Congrats Pete!

PSY faculty selected to CAS P&T committees

The department is pleased that two of its colleagues have been selected to serve on important College P&T committees, starting this fall. Dr. Vaishali Raval will be joining the CAS P&T Committee and Dr. Pete Wessels will be joining the CAS Committee on Promotion of Teaching/Clinical Professors and Lecturers. Congrats to Vaishali and Pete!

Lisa Velkoff receives P.E.O. Scholar Award

The department is proud to announce that Lisa Velkoff received a P.E.O. Scholar Award for the 2020-21 AY. The awards are competitive, merit-based awards to recognize and encourage academic excellence and achievement by women in doctoral-level programs from throughout the United States. Congrats to Lisa (and to her advisor, April Smith)!