Rhodes College Psychology Department

Professor Elizabeth Thomas Presented 2021 Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service | Rhodes News

Congratulations to a truly inspirational leader, Professor Elizabeth Thomas!

Professor Elizabeth Thomas Presented 2021 Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service | Rhodes News Dr. Elizabeth Thomas, professor of psychology and Plough Chair of Urban Studies at Rhodes College, was presented the 2021 Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service at the college’s Opening Convocation held Oct. 21 in Fisher Memorial Garden. Opening Convocation was postponed until afte...

2021 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award Winner Prof. Marsha Walton Leaves a Meaningful Legacy of Scholarship and Mentoring | Rhodes News

Although “congratulations” are customary, instead we offer Dr. Marsha Walton a humble “thank you”. This remarkable researcher and mentor inspires her students and colleagues every day.

2021 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award Winner Prof. Marsha Walton Leaves a Meaningful Legacy of Scholarship and Mentoring | Rhodes News In her 41 years at Rhodes College, retiring Professor of Psychology Dr. Marsha Walton has successfully merged outstanding scholarly achievements with a dedication to mentoring students, helping them to open their eyes to opportunities and navigate new experiences. She was honored as the non-student....

Five Rhodes Professors to Center Equity in Weeklong Takeover of The Academic Minute | Rhodes News

What a great lineup, which includes two of Psychology’s newest faculty!

Five Rhodes Professors to Center Equity in Weeklong Takeover of The Academic Minute | Rhodes News Professors Hotz, Loynes, Stoddard, Goodman, and Marchand will present talks on the theme of equity for The Academic Minute program.

Prof. Kiren Khan and Her Research Team Examine Impact of Summer Success Kindergarten Readiness Program | Rhodes News

Check out this recent Rhodes article highlighting the impact of Dr. Kiren Khan's Summer Success Kindergarten Readiness Program. As noted in the article, "The Summer Success program is designed to develop a comprehensive set of critical skills, including core academic skills in narrative, literacy, and math, as well as socio-emotional skills, motor skills, and interest in creative arts."

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/prof-kiren-khan-and-her-research-team-examine-impact-summer-success-kindergarten-readiness

Prof. Kiren Khan and Her Research Team Examine Impact of Summer Success Kindergarten Readiness Program | Rhodes News Dr. Kiren Khan, assistant professor of psychology, has been supervising a team of Rhodes students on research related to the Summer Success kindergarten readiness program she co-developed with researchers at The Ohio State University and implemented in Memphis across the previous two summers. Four p...

Rhodes College Researchers Receive National Science Foundation Grant for Cutting-Edge Motor and Perception Research | Rhodes News

Congratulations to Dr. Dan Blustein (principal investigator), Dr. Katie White (co-principal investigator), and Dr. Betsy Sanders (co-principal investigator; Computer Science)! Their NSF Major Research Infrastructure grant titled "MRI: Acquisition of a Movement Tracking System to Explore Embodiment and Cognition" has been awarded. The grant will support the acquisition of a "motion capture system capable of precisely tracking human body movements while simultaneously recording brain activity and eye movements. The equipment will provide detailed insight into the nervous system's role in planning and generating movements, as well as how the human mind perceives its own body."

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/rhodes-college-researchers-receive-national-science-foundation-grant-cutting-edge-motor-and

Rhodes College Researchers Receive National Science Foundation Grant for Cutting-Edge Motor and Perception Research | Rhodes News The researchers have been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation grant of $267,970 to study brain activity involved in body movement using 3D motion capture technology. “This equipment is going to put Rhodes College on the map as a serious contributor in the movement science research sp...

Rhodes Welcomes New 2020 Faculty | Rhodes News

It is the first day of classes, and we are excited to be back!

We are also thrilled to welcome Dr. Josh Goodman to Rhodes College! Dr. Goodman received his Ph.D. Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology. His research investigates psychological interventions to support sexual and gender minority people and their families. He will teach a range of courses including counseling psychology.

Additionally, we are excited to share that Dr. Brent Morgan is continuing at Rhodes in a full time position. He received his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, and his research focuses on the ways artificial intelligence can be used in educational contexts. He will teach Introduction to Psychological Science and our Psychological Statistics course.

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/rhodes-welcomes-new-2020-faculty?fbclid=IwAR3MxaEMfC_tH-bO8wkRJXhpsUtnFVdL4Z6nqmR7YiZspAqRhnjOumb3oWQ

Rhodes Welcomes New 2020 Faculty | Rhodes News Rhodes College welcomes 10 new faculty to its distinguished roster for the 2020-2021 academic year in the areas of biology, history, modern languages and literatures, political science, psychology, sociology, and religious studies.

Taking a Chance Turns Into Unexpected Opportunity for Rhodes Alumna Molly Mulhern ’18 | Rhodes News

Former psychology major Molly Mulhern ('18) recently shared a part of her professional journey since graduation and reflected on the way Rhodes and the liberal arts contributed to her current position as a social media manager.

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/taking-chance-turns-unexpected-opportunity-rhodes-alumna-molly-mulhern-18

Taking a Chance Turns Into Unexpected Opportunity for Rhodes Alumna Molly Mulhern ’18 | Rhodes News Molly Mulhern has proven that you never really know where a job might take you. The Austin, TX, resident had been working as an event coordinator after graduating from Rhodes in 2018, but she found herself out of a job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With much of the economy shut down, she wasn’t ha...

Second Rhodes Responds Series Features Scholars and Activists on Black Communities and Law Enforcement | Rhodes News

Dr. Marchand will moderate the final panel discussion in the Rhodes Responds series addressing Black Communities and Law Enforcement. Make sure to register in advance of the discussion tomorrow evening.

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE: What's Next? Reimagining a Just Tomorrow

Wed. July 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Moderator: Dr. Aixa Marchand, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Educational Studies, Rhodes College

Panelists:Dr. Kristie Lipford, Assistant Professor of Urban Studies
Dr. Duane T. Loynes Sr., Associate Professor of Urban Studies and Africana Studies
Dr. Archandria Owens, Associate Director of the Counseling Center, Rhodes College

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/second-rhodes-responds-series-features-scholars-and-activists-black-communities-and-law

Second Rhodes Responds Series Features Scholars and Activists on Black Communities and Law Enforcement | Rhodes News

Rhodes’ Two Most Senior Professors, Walton and Hill, Honored Nationally as Top Research Mentors | Rhodes News

Congratulations to Professor Marsha Walton! She has been chosen for the 2020 Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research in the Social Sciences (EMURSS) award offered by the Council on Undergraduate Research.

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/rhodes-two-most-senior-professors-walton-and-hill-honored-nationally-top-research-mentors

Rhodes’ Two Most Senior Professors, Walton and Hill, Honored Nationally as Top Research Mentors | Rhodes News Professor of Biology Terry Hill and Professor of Psychology Marsha Walton have been awarded national research mentoring awards by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR.)

Neuroscience Major Yavin Alwis’ Paper with Prof. Jason Haberman Accepted for Publication | Rhodes News

Check out newly published research from Professor Haberman and Yavin Alwis (Rhodes '20) which examined factors that influence our perception of an individual's emotion.

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/neuroscience-major-yavin-alwis-paper-prof-jason-haberman-accepted-publication

Neuroscience Major Yavin Alwis’ Paper with Prof. Jason Haberman Accepted for Publication | Rhodes News Yavin Alwis ’20 joined Prof. Haberman’s lab his sophomore year and has been conducting experiments in human neuroscience and sophisticated computational modeling. Their article will be published in a forthcoming issue of Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications.

Rhodes Responds Series Seeks to Offer Public Expertise on Topics Related to COVID-19 | Rhodes News

Dr. Marchand and Dr. Klatzkin will serve as panelists in the Rhodes Responds series across the next two weeks. Make sure to register for the following panels.

The Impacts of Covid-19: Health, Education, and the Economy
Wed. June 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Moderator: Dr. Marjorie Hass, President, Rhodes College
Panelists:Dr. Marshall Gramm, Professor and Chair of Economics
Dr. Kendra Hotz, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Robert W. Waller Professor of Population Health, Director of the Health Equity Program
Dr. Aixa Marchand, Assistant Professor of Psychology

Coping with Covid-19
Wed. June 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Moderator: Dr. Geoff Bakewell, Professor of Greek and Roman Studies, Irene B. and J. Walter McDonnell Chair of Greek and Roman Studies
Dr. Patrick Gray, Professor of Religious Studies
Dr. Rebecca Klatzkin, Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
Rev. Beatrix Weil, Rhodes College Chaplain

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/rhodes-responds-series-seeks-offer-public-expertise-topics-related-covid-19

Rhodes Responds Series Seeks to Offer Public Expertise on Topics Related to COVID-19 | Rhodes News Rhodes College is offering a series of four free Zoom webinars open to the general public. These webinars will take place on Wednesday evenings, and feature panels of college and community experts who will address various aspects of the pandemic and field questions from the audience.

Faculty in the Department of Psychology unequivocally condemn white supremacy, racism, and police brutality. We believe it requires intentional and consistent anti-racist work on the part of each individual to dismantle systemic inequities suffered by the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community. We are committed to this work.

Furthermore, we affirm the statements and plans of action made by the Association for Psychological Science and the American Psychological Association.

As psychologists, our discipline has a track record of examining the effects of racism, prejudice, and countless other dimensions of our lived experience on our psychological and physical well-being. APS has provided summaries of some of this research as a starting point here. However, we acknowledge that we are still learning and growing, and we do not assume to have all of the answers.

As educators, we commit to continue learning and listening from a position of cultural humility. We will strive to incorporate anti-racist practices within and beyond our classrooms. We re-affirm our departmental climate statement:

The Psychology Department at Rhodes College is committed to creating an academic climate that is safe, respectful, and appreciative of all students, staff, and faculty regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, size, socioeconomic background, religion, spirituality, physical ability, mental ability, or any other aspect of one’s identity. We believe that a climate of mutual respect allows us to ask difficult questions and to participate in honest discussions about difficult issues, even in the context of strong disagreement. Creating this kind of open, honest, and respectful climate is our mutual responsibility.

Here are the statements from APS and APA:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/.../aps-statement-on...

https://www.apa.org/.../2020/06/action-addressing-inequality

Here are some resources as a starting point:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/.../racism-further...

https://www.psychologicalscience.org/topics/racism...

At Rhodes, Black lives matter and we are committed to do our part to create a more just campus, city, and world.

Friday, June 5, Rhodes is observing a day of action and learning meant to be a tipping point towards more sustained racial justice work. It is a day to share ways to engage in work against white supremacy and police brutality and a day to amplify the voices of those most affected.

Chaplain Beatrix will be facilitating and sharing these resources and actions on the Rhodes Instagram throughout the day. You can send meaningful suggestions to her at [email protected].

Rhodes Names Palopoli '20, Tameez '20, and Howard '72 Sullivan Award Recipients | Rhodes News

Another Psychology major recognized for amazing work! Congratulations Saneela Tameez!

Rhodes Names Palopoli '20, Tameez '20, and Howard '72 Sullivan Award Recipients | Rhodes News Rhodes has conferred the Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan awards since 1890. The awards were first presented by the membership of the New York Southern Society. They recognize college students and members of the college community of noble character who have acted as humble servants...

Profs. Maddox and Rupke Win 2020 Clarence Day Awards | Rhodes News

Congratulations to our very own Professor Geoff Maddox on winning the Day Award for Outstanding Teaching, the highest teaching honor for Rhodes faculty. Psychology has amazing teacher-scholars!

Profs. Maddox and Rupke Win 2020 Clarence Day Awards | Rhodes News Each year, Rhodes honors two faculty members with the Clarence Day Awards for Outstanding Teaching and for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity, two of the College’s highest honors for its faculty. This year's winners are Drs. David Rupke and Geoff Maddox.

Seven Seniors Inducted Into Rhodes’ Hall of Fame | Rhodes News

Congratulations to all inductees, especially our own Jackie Paiz!

Seven Seniors Inducted Into Rhodes’ Hall of Fame | Rhodes News Seven seniors’ portraits will be added to Rhodes’ Hall of Fame, housed on the second floor of Southwestern Hall. They are Abbey Bako, Dorian Canales, Katie Clark, Adam Cruthirds, Tony Eskridge, Annie Ouyang, and Jackie Paiz. Selection to the Hall of Fame, established in 1931, is based on individ...

Students Presented Academic Awards for 2019-2020 | Rhodes News

Congratulations to psychology majors Hibah Virk ‘20 (Queener Award for Academic Excellence), Jackie Paiz ‘20 (Korsakov Award for Departmental Service), Hannah Milburn ‘21 (Margaret Ruffin Hyde Research Award), Hannah Luckes ‘22 (Korsakov Research Award), and double psychology & art major Nathalie Tamez-Guerrero ‘21 (Archer Award for Creativity)! What an outstanding group of students!

Students Presented Academic Awards for 2019-2020 | Rhodes News Provost Milton Moreland presented this year’s academic department and program awards virtually for the 171st Student Awards Convocation on May 1. The awards were streamed live on Rhodes.edu and Facebook.

Holding it together as we stay apart: The psychological challenge of shelter-in-place

Dr. Klatzkin offers her expertise on stress and eating.

Holding it together as we stay apart: The psychological challenge of shelter-in-place As the coronavirus pandemic strands everyone at home, overall mental health is suffering. Many people are becoming lonely, bored, anxious and depressed in isolation, despite safety from the virus.

Psychology alum Ozakh Ahmed sharing some wisdom on staying grounded.

Rhodes College Names Dr. Katherine Clay Bassard Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs | Rhodes News

Welcome to Rhodes, Provost Bassard!

Rhodes College Names Dr. Katherine Clay Bassard Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs | Rhodes News After a competitive national search, Rhodes College president Dr. Marjorie Hass has appointed Dr. Katherine Clay Bassard as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs effective July 1, 2020. Bassard earned a B.A. from Wake Forest University, an M.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a....

Research Published by Prof. Aixa Marchand Shows Wealth Inequality Undermines Equal Opportunity in Education | Rhodes News

Check out our new amazing colleague and her most recent publication!

Research Published by Prof. Aixa Marchand Shows Wealth Inequality Undermines Equal Opportunity in Education | Rhodes News Dr. Aixa Marchand, assistant professor of psychology at Rhodes, along with University of Michigan and University of California-Los Angeles faculty, has co-authored a paper that charts how wealth shapes educational outcomes from childhood to early adulthood: The article is published in the November 2...

Prof. Geoff Maddox Researches How Students Can Study Better | Rhodes News

Professor Maddox, making a difference through research!

Prof. Geoff Maddox Researches How Students Can Study Better | Rhodes News Does cramming for a test have any benefits? What’s the best method for retaining information? How do memory skills change over a person’s life span? These are the types of questions Dr. Geoff Maddox, associate professor of psychology, explores with students in his Memory and Cognition Lab at Rho...