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Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

MoWest Psychology Department

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Saint Joseph, MO
MoWest Psychology Department

Do you want to explore the dimensions of the human mind and better understand human behavior? Come

08/26/2026

The countdown is on! We’re excited to welcome our students back to campus next week as a new semester begins. We can’t wait to see familiar faces, meet new ones, and get back to the learning, conversations, and connections that make our department special. Here’s to a great semester ahead!

08/19/2026

We are proud to announce our new Mind-Body Research Lab. This lab uses psychophysiological data to measure autonomic nervous functioning (i.e. the fight-or-flight response). Faculty and students will use the lab to assess the impact of various factors on the stress response, such as how trauma history impacts how a person reacts to different meditation approaches. Students can gain valuable experience with laboratory research while contributing to our knowledge of mind-body connections. This lab was funded by the MoWest Summer Fellowship Faculty Research Grant Program. For more info, reach out to Dr. Waters at [email protected]

08/11/2026

After graduating from MoWest in 2026, Averi moved to Knoxville, Tennessee to pursue a master's in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior at the University of Tennessee.

Her time at MoWest provided a strong foundation in research methods, data analysis, and critical thinking. All of which continue to support her graduate coursework and research as she works toward becoming a Licensed Sport Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant.

Averi has also continued building on her undergraduate research. Her independent research project has been submitted for publication and is currently in gallery proof for Aletheia: The Alpha Chi Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship, allowing her to further develop her research, writing, and professional communication skills while contributing to the field of sport psychology.

Reflecting on her time at MoWest, Averi credits the Psychology Department's faculty for their mentorship and encouragement. "The faculty took the time to get to know me personally and continually challenged me to pursue opportunities that would help me grow. With their guidance, I decided to pursue a dual major in Psychology and Exercise Science, a decision that prepared me well for graduate school".

She says that being involved in both disciplines, along with the relationships she built with faculty, played a significant role in her acceptance into graduate school and continues to shape her professional goals.

We're proud to see Averi pursuing her passion and making an impact. Congratulations, Averi! We can't wait to see what's next for you!

07/15/2026

After graduating from MoWest this past semester, Allaina Mace has been accepted into the Social/Personality Psychology Ph.D. program at Kansas State University, where she will begin classes this fall while also serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Her passion for research continues to shine even after her time at MoWest. This summer, Allaina submitted an independent research paper to Aletheia, The Alpha Chi Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship. Her paper has already advanced to the galley proof and is on its way to publication. What an outstanding accomplishment!

We’re excited to see how accomplishments like Alliana’s will inspire the next generation of students to contribute to the field of psychology.

We're so proud of you, Allaina, and all the work you’ve put in. Congratulations on these exciting achievements, and best of luck at K-State! Your MoWest family is cheering you on every step of the way!

If you'd like a chance to spotlight your work and achievements, fill out our google form here: https://forms.gle/e1PuHDKYo1Ehx5Bj9

07/09/2026

From classroom to community impact—we couldn't be prouder of MoWest alum, Emily Weese!

After earning her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from MoWest in 2021, she is now preparing to graduate with her Master's in Counseling from UMKC later this month.

She credits her MoWest professors with shaping the counselor she is today. Research opportunities with Dr. Mandracchia sparked her passion for serving in the forensic population with individuals involved in the criminal justice system. This focus led her to her current role as a Community Support Specialist and Substance Use Counselor at Family Guidance Center. It's here that she puts her education to great use by serving individuals in our community.

Lessons from Dr. White and Dr. Rieck continue to influence her work through cognitive behavioral approaches, advocacy, and compassionate care. Emily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) frameworks while helping individuals overcome challenges, rebuild their lives, and access the care they need.

As Emily puts it, "This field is so incredibly important because mental health touches everything from families, public health, and how strong our neighborhoods are. Accessible care gives vulnerable people a real chance to rebuild their lives, and I can’t wait to keep using everything my MoWest mentors taught me to help our community thrive."

We're honored to see our Griffons making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and strengthening our community through their dedication and service.

Congratulations on this incredible milestone, Emily! We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish next!

Want a chance to be our next student/alum spotlight? Just fill out this quick google form. https://forms.gle/EV2VpTgGUVcNHTnTA

06/18/2026

Shoutout to Dr. Ziemer! She'll be speaking at the Open Plains Psychedelic Symposium put on by the Oklahoma Psychedelic Collective in Tulsa, OK. Dr. Z will be talking about ethical issues in psychedelic work and representing the Psychedelic Society of Kansas City on a regional panel. Check out the link for more details!

Okopc.org/open-plains

06/08/2026

I spy an alum! Artemii Udovenko ('24) received the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Best International Paper Award. This award goes to the student whose work shows the most outstanding example of scholarship in global, international, and/or cross-cultural issues. Udovenko's work was an extension of his research done here at MoWest as and undergrad. Check out the details in the link below.

What award winning work will you do at MoWest?

https://www.siop.org/award/siop-best-international-paper-award/

05/20/2026

Dr. Kayla Waters had a big semester of success! In April, she was awarded a Summer Fellowship through the Faculty Research Grant Program at MoWest. The Fellowship will allow Dr. Waters to develop a mindfulness meditation lab space to support student research in future years.

In addition, Dr. Waters won the Excellence in Teaching award at MoWest and will be enjoying that awesome parking spot that comes with the recognition for the 2026-27 Academic Year.

Dr. Waters specializes in school psychology, and teaches courses in Applied Behavior Analysis, Counseling, Interpersonal Communication, and our Senior Sem that helps launch our students to the amazing opportunities you’ve seen in our feed from so many of our graduates.

Congratulations, Dr. Waters! Thanks for your commitment to seeing our students pursue their dreams!

05/15/2026

It’s hard to believe that commencement was almost one week ago! Even though the ceremony has passed, we’re still celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our grads and reflecting on all the unforgettable moments from such a special day.

From crossing the stage to celebrating with friends, family, and faculty, commencement was a reminder of just how much hard work, perseverance, and dedication our students have poured into their academic journeys. We are so proud of everything you have achieved and so excited to see where your next chapter take you. Whether you’re continuing your education, beginning a new career, or stepping into exciting new opportunities, know that we are cheering you on every step of the way.

Congratulations once again to the Class of 2026!

05/13/2026

Psychology senior Nathan Sheehan successfully defended his honors thesis to his committee. As part of the honors program, he had to complete a research project alongside the supervision and guidance of a faculty member, Dr. Christine Ziemer.

Nathan explored how mindfulness meditation may help students increase working memory and perform better on tasks learned through videos using faster playback speed.

Congratulations on a job well done, Nathan!

Address

4525 Downs Dr; Murphy Hall 217
Saint Joseph, MO
64507

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.missouriwestern.edu/psychology

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