Oustanding Ethnic Minority Student Achievement Award

In 2005, the Minority Pipeline committee established the Outstanding Minority Student Achievement Award. Part of our mission is to introduce minority undergraduate Psychology majors to the professional field of Psychology. By funding academically strong students to attend the regional conference of the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA), we are able to expose the students to the many areas of research that they have learned about in their courses. Students hear well known psychologists give lectures in their area of expertise and support other ASU students who are presenting research in posters or oral presentations. By funding academically strong students to attend the regional conference of SEPA, we are able to expose the students to the many areas of research that they have learned about in their courses.The undergraduate recipients of the award stay in the conference hotel with graduate students, attend the meetings and social events, and are able to explore the host city with others who are working in the field. It is a wonderful opportunity to expand learning outside the classroom. Eligible students for this award have completed a minimum of three courses in psychology, have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and must be nominated by a faculty member. Department faculty vote on nominees to choose the award recipients.

Recipients of this award are encouraged to participate in research with graduate students and faculty in their senior year and may be able to present their research at an undergraduate or professional conference. In addition, they are encouraged to be active members of Psi Chi, the national honor's society in Psychology. During their senior year the recipients receive mentoring from the faculty on selecting and preparing for graduate school. Read more about our previous award recipients.

In the future we hope to fund one or more graduate assistantships for exceptional minority students and will continue our outreach to encourage young promising minority students to enter the professional field of psychology.

Outstanding Ethnic Minority Student Achievement Awardees

2011

Andre Patterson met all the criteria for this award, including a minimum of three courses in psychology and a GPA of 3.2 or higher. I am extremely grateful and honored to have received this award. I extend my gratitude to the Department of Psychology, Augusta State University and the University System of Georgia. I look forward to continuing my education and learning under the tutelage of the many wonderful psychology professors here at ASU.

2010

Mahleeha Ahmad met all the criteria for this award, including a minimum of three courses in psychology and a GPA of 3.2 or higher. "Receiving this award is a great honor to me and I have enjoyed contributing to the better understanding of research. This award has increased my awareness of the value of research and continues to motivate me to strive for the best."

2009

Jerry Oliver, Jr. is a junior in Psychology with an overall GPA of 3.28. As part of Jerry's award, he received financial support to attend the Southeastern Psychological Association conference held in New Orleans in February 2008. There he expanded his learning outside the classroom and was exposed to many areas of research.

2007 and 2008

Sheron Young is a junior in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Sheron's overall grade point average is 3.41 and she was on the Dean's List in recognition of her academic achievement in 2005. Sheron was inducted into the National Honor's Society for Psychology, Psi Chi, in 2006. As part of her award, Sheron attended the conference of the Southeastern Psychological Association in spring 2007 along with graduate students and faculty from the department. Sheron plans on attending graduate school in counseling or clinical psychology.

2006

Liza Navarro is a senior in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Liza's overall grade point average is 3.47 and will be graduating Spring '07. She has been on the Dean's List in recognition of her academic achievement since 2004 and served as the Public Relations representative for ASU's Psi Chi chapter for the 2006-2007 year. As part of her award, Lisa attended the conference of the Southeastern Psychological Association in spring 2006 along with graduate students and faculty from the department. Liza plans on attending graduate school in Florida to pursue a career in clinical psychology.

Celeste Williams is a senior in Psychology with a general studies minor focusing on French and Music. Celeste's overall grade point average is 3.78 and will be graduating Spring '07. She has been on the Dean's List in recognition of her academic achievement since 2005 and served as the Undergraduate Liaison for ASU's Psi Chi chapter for the 2006-2007 year. As part of her award, Celeste attended the conference of the Southeastern Psychological Association in spring 2006 along with graduate students and faculty from the department and decided to attend the conference again in 2007 in New Orleans with other graduate and undergraduate students in the department. Celeste plans on pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

2005

Quendria Johnson graduated in fall 2006 with her B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She graduated with an overall grade point average of 3.78. Quendria was one of our first two students recognized by the psychology faculty as a senior minority student with an outstanding record of academics. She is interested in the study of depression. In the spring of 2005 she attended the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) along with other ASU graduate students and faculty members. She plans on applying to the Master's program in psychology at Augusta State University with a Psy.D. as her ultimate goal. Her career goals are to have a private practice in the community.

Jucether Larkins graduated in spring 2006 with her B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She graduated with an overall grade point average of 3.83 and was frequently listed on the Dean's list in recognition of her high academic achievement. Jucether was one of our first two students recognized by the psychology faculty as a senior minority student with an outstanding record of academics.