Northern Illinois University

Department of Psychology

News and Reminders

3rd Annual NIU Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference

The 3rd Annual NIU Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference will be held this December 2nd, 2011, from 2:30-4:30pm in rooms PM 103 and 110.  Please see the event flyer for further information on this outstanding opportunity to view and present original research!

Getting into Graduate School Seminar (GIGSS)

The department's annual Getting into Graduate School Seminar (GIGSS) will be held during the coming Spring 2012 semester. See this page for further information and to download application materials.

Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day

With 28 total poster presentations, 71 student authors and 17 faculty mentors, the Psychology Department had a record-setting showing at this year's Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day. 

See here for details, and congratulations to everyone who participated for their excellent work!

2011 Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Congratulations to the Psychology Department's Randy McCarthy and Bettina Zengel for receiving this year's Outstanding Graduate Student award for their work in PhD- and Master's-level programs, respectively.  This award is given to recognize individual students who have distinguished themselves in terms of scholarship and research.

2010-2011 Outstanding Dissertation Award

Congratulations to the Psychology Department's Madhavi Reddy for winning the Graduate School's 2010-2011 Outstanding Dissertation Award!  Dr. Reddy's dissertation, entitled Coping as a Mediator in the Prospective Relationship between Personality and PTSD Symptoms in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Combat Veterans, was selected for its clarity, persuasiveness, and significant practical application.  Dr. Holly Orcutt served as Dr. Reddy's dissertation advisor.

The Getting Into Graduate School Seminar (GIGSS)

GIGSS is a 7 week seminar dedicated to helping undergraduates in psychology prepare for the graduate school application process.  Components of the seminar include but are not limited to: deciding upon the right program to apply to; what experiences are crucial to the process (e.g., research experience); how to write a CV and a personal statement; how to prepare for the GRE and what to expect; and how to request letters of recommendation.

Students must commit to all 7 sessions of the seminar, which begin on January 27th and will be held every other Thursday at 5:00pm during the Spring 2011 semester (1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7, and 4/21).  The sessions will be comprised of a lecture and workshop component, and students will receive individual feedback on work samples.  Please see this informational flyer for further details.

Interested students should email their name and contact info to Dr. Britt at britt@niu.edu for an application, which is due by Friday, December 3, 2010 at the latest.

Diversifying Psychology

The department recently hosted its annual Diversifying Psychology event.  See here for details.

The APA's United Nations Internship Program

From the APA's news entry:

The American Psychological Association (APA) is seeking applications for student interns to assist with APA's work as an NGO at the United Nations.  These are volunteer positions for psychology students who have an interest in international issues.  The interns will work with the members and associate members of APA's United Nations team to help plan and implement activities such as the annual Psychology Day, the annual International Day of Older Persons, AIDS Day, and other psychology-related events.  Interns will have UN - NGO badges for entry into UN buildings and events, and will have an opportunity for a close-up look at the workings of the UN.

See here for complete details and instructions on how to apply.

Student Advising

  • Undergraduate students can make advising appointments by signing up at the bulletin board outside of the department office in PM400, although limited online advising is also available via email

  • Prospective graduate students should direct their questions to the faculty coordinator of the program they intend to apply to.


Faculty News

  • Dr. Michelle Demaray was appointed Associate Editor for the Journal of School Psychology.
  • Drs. Anne Britt, Joe Magliano, Keith Millis, and Katja Wiemer have been awarded two grants from the U.S. Department of Education, totaling over $2.6 million in a five-year period, to develop assessment and instructional strategies that enable all students to read with understanding. These faculty join a team of over 130 researchers across the nation in the areas of linguistics, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, reading, and speech and language pathology, all working to improve reading comprehension for every student from preschool through high school.
  • The Illinois Department of Family and Child Services has expanded an innovative program administered by the Department of Psychology  (Dr. Greg Waas, Project Director) by over $1.3 million per year. This program provides comprehensive clinical assessments to children in foster care and their families, and is designed to identify critical needs and services for children and their families early in the foster care process.
  • Dr. Alan Rosenbaum was recently awarded the "Linda Saltzman Memorial Intimate Partner Violence Research Award" by the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma.
  • Dr. Frederick Schwantes was named as January 2010's Professor of the Month by the Omicron Chapter of Lambda Sigma Sophomore Honor Society.
  • Dr. David Valentiner received the Psychology Department's Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award for 2009.
  • Dr. Angela Grippo received the APA Division 38's Outstanding Contributions to Health Psychology Award for 2009.
  • Dr. Alan Rosenbaum was elected president of the Faculty Senate for its 2009-2010 term.
  • Drs. Jim Corwin and John Skowronski have been named Presidential Research Professors, the university's highest recognition for scholarship.


Talks

As a means of promoting discussion and spreading awareness of advances within the field, the Psychology Department hosts a colloquium series each year and allows faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates alike to participate in a wide variety of brownbag seminars and research meetings.

Colloquia are typically held during the Spring semester.  A schedule of this year's colloquia will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Brown Bags and Research Meetings