UTC Department of Psychology

It’s not every day that students love their instructor enough to make matching t-shirts with a full collage of his face. But that’s the kind of impact Dr. Eschman (or should we say Dr. Eschie) had on the psychology study abroad group this summer. We’re now just trying to figure out where we can get one of those shirts for ourselves.

Our Psychological Science MS students and faculty represented UTC in Denver at this year’s Psychonomic Society Conference! We also loved running into program alumni who are now presenting their work in their PhD programs — Anna Pusser, Bailey Smith, and Chris Nuño. Moments like these remind us how strong and supportive the UTC Psych community is. Faculty: Dr. Jill Shelton & Dr. Bret Eschman Current students: Luke Hicks & Claire Beach

Over 130 students, faculty, and practitioners from across the country attended the 21st Annual River Cities I-O (RCIO) conference in Derthick Hall this past Friday and Saturday. This was UTC's 18th year hosting RCIO (the 1st three were held at Northern Kentucky University), the premier student research conference in I-O in the US. Despite facilities challenges related to the construction zone that is UTC these days, it was an outstanding event. Undergraduate, Masters, and PhD students from numerous schools, including Appalachian State, MTSU, UAB, Bellarmine, Auburn, Kennesaw State, Clemson, Indiana University - Indianapolis, Austin Peay, and UTC, networked, shared their research, and learned from outstanding faculty and practitioners. This year’s theme, "Putting Psychological Science to Work," focused on the timely topic of integrating AI into the workplace.

Update - only electronic donations can be accepted! We are hosting the Pouring for Purpose Gallery once again this Fall on November 13th (this Thursday)!! 💙💛 If you are able, please come by and see us. You can donate any amount to take home a student painted canvas! Your donations will benefit Partnership for Families, Children and Adults’s Hope Initiative Program! Please share this post and help us spread the word!

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
UTC College of Arts and Sciences

Professor Wells had her sister pretend to be her for the first five minutes of Intro to Psych - while she hid in the back wearing a hat and hoodie. The big reveal got gasps and was a fun segue into talking about birth order, personality, and maybe a little identity confusion! Happy Halloween everyone!

“Bridging minds and bodies!” Students in Professor Wells’ Learning and Motivation class and 3rd Year Physical Therapy students collaborated together on a mock case, showing the power of interdisciplinary learning!

Our second year I-O graduate students completed a brainstorming exercise in Dr. Black’s teams class this week to create a UTC I-O mascot using AI. Which one is your favorite?

Professor Wells and Dr. Walker represented UTC Psychology at the Society for the Teaching of Psychology’s Annual Conference on Teaching this weekend! Their presentations featured research made possible by you—our amazing students. Every SONA study and course assessment you complete helps us improve your learning experience. A big thanks to the Walker Center for Teaching and Learning who supported their work!

Keep our first year graduate students in your thoughts today. After their stats midterm, the whiteboard in the student lounge looks like a crime scene.

Our illustrious department head, Dr. Brian O’Leary, was recently gifted an inscribed rocking chair by Professor Emeritus Dr. Amye Warren. I think this means we can accurately say that the head of the Psychology Department rocks?

A message from one of our students: "On August 29th, the Hamilton County School Board voted 6–5 to cancel its agreement with Centerstone, ending FREE, school-based mental health services for thousands of students. These services reached more than 2,500 students and their families last year at no cost to the district—providing needed support that many would otherwise be unable to access. Tennessee ranks 50th in the nation for youth access to mental health care. Without school-based partnerships like Centerstone, these students are left with nowhere to turn. There are no other agencies that have the current capacity to replace the 32 licensed and credentialed mental health professionals that Centerstone had placed in Hamilton County Schools. On Thursday, September 18th, at 4:30 p.m., the school board will hold their next meeting at 3074 Hickory Valley Rd. It would be incredibly powerful if the room were filled with psychology students wearing green, standing together in support of mental health. (Green is the national color of mental health advocacy). If you are unable to attend in person, you can still make an impact by emailing the school board. Personal stories will be the most effective-share why programs like Centerstone matter. For example, in my own hometown, Centerstone was not offered. About four years ago, our community experienced a devastating flood that left 20 dead and destroyed countless homes. At my school, one counselor was responsible for 500 students. Many children and families went without the help they needed, unaware of resources available. Living through that experience is one of the reasons I chose to major in psychology, and I know many of us have similar stories. We have an opportunity to make a difference now, before we even graduate. All it takes is giving a little bit of our time to ensure our voices are heard. Please contact me [Sadie: [email protected]] if you plan to attend the upcoming board meeting and/or want to get involved. You can also sign up here: https://forms.gle/QnhfNgtGF6fA3Meq6 I hope to see everyone on September 18th—wearing green and standing up for mental health!"