UNCW Department of Psychology

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Catherine Williams on being selected as the inaugural recipient of the SEAB Madden and Reed Early Career Teaching Excellence Award! 👏📚

This prestigious recognition celebrates Dr. Williams’ outstanding commitment to student learning, evidence-based teaching practices, and dedication to advancing the next generation of behavioral scientists. Her passion for education and innovative approach in the classroom continue to make a lasting impact on students and the field alike.

Please join us in celebrating this incredible achievement! 🌟🖤💛

🎓✨ Class of 2026 – We’re ready to celebrate YOU! ✨🎓

Join us for the Department of Psychology Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 9 at 10:30 AM in the Burney Center Ballroom 🎉

⏰ The ceremony will last at least one hour, so please plan accordingly.
🎓 Graduates: Be sure to arrive dressed and ready in your cap and gown!

There will be a short break between the departmental ceremony and the main university commencement.

🎓 UNCW Commencement Ceremony
🗓 Saturday, May 9 at 1:00 PM
📍 Trask Coliseum
⏳ Expected to last approximately 2 hours

We look forward to celebrating this incredible milestone with our students, families, and friends 💙

For full ceremony details, attire guidelines, and more information, visit: https://uncw.edu/academics/beyond-the-classroom/commencement/ceremony/

✨ Psychology Department Updates ✨

We’re excited to celebrate some incredible members of our community! 👏

🏆 Dr. Richard S. Pond, Jr. has received the CSE Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for his outstanding dedication to student learning and excellence in the classroom.

🌟 Rachael McLoud-Brophy from the CSE Academic Resource Center has been honored with the CSE Staff Excellence Award for her impactful work supporting our students.

💐 We also want to recognize two remarkable faculty members as they retire:
Dr. Nora Noel (34 years) and Dr. Raymond Pitts (30 years). Their commitment, mentorship, and contributions have left a lasting mark on our department.

Please join us in celebrating these achievements and wishing our retirees all the best in their next chapter! 🎉

Congratulations to our outstanding students from the Spring 2026 Graduate 3-Minute Thesis Competition! 🎉

🏆 Taylor Lewis earned 1st Place for her dissertation, “Assessing and Guiding Visual Attending by Early Learners During Picture Book Reading.” Her work focuses on improving instructional methods to better support children experiencing learning difficulties.

👏 Caroline Knox received the Crowd Favorite Award for her master’s thesis, “Contingency Management for Wearable Biometric Device Adherence in Opioid Users.” Her research explores behavioral economic interventions in substance use populations.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work and achievements—join us in celebrating their success!

Congrats to Milena Lorang on being selected as a finalist for the Best Poster Award at the 2026 Annual Triangle SFN Neuroscience Meeting! 🎉🧠

This work was completed in collaboration with M. E. Lorang, J. Holsten, J. Ludington, L. Ehrenfried, M. Yackle, G. Burch, W. Hanks, J. Burch, L. Brock, R. Brimberry, E. C. Doyle, S. L. Beuschel, and T. Peterson.

Poster title: “VCAM-1 Reduces Infarct Expansion and Acute Glial Coverage in High-Fat Diet Fed Female Mice Post-Stroke.” Presented at the 11th Annual Triangle Society for Neuroscience Meeting in Raleigh, NC.

Wishing Chloe Bellia and David Diaz, from the Cognitive Development Lab, the very best of luck as they present at the Sigma Xi Student Research Showcase Competition this week! We are proud of their recent presentation at the Carolinas Psychology Conference!

Join us in welcoming Dr. Vittoria Anello, Ph.D., NCSP, on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 4:00 PM in TL 1054!

Dr. Anello brings a unique perspective at the intersection of psychological science, public education, and policy. Her work connects core areas like mental health, learning, and behavior to real-world systems, including public schools and legislative decision-making. She has even spoken before Congress on challenges in school-based behavioral health.

This seminar is especially relevant for clinical and ABA students, but valuable for anyone interested in how psychology can shape real-world outcomes—from classrooms to public policy.

We hope to see you there!

Dear Students,

You are invited to a joint APA and Psi Chi Q&A session offering clear guidance for those considering graduate study in psychology. Representatives will discuss master’s and doctoral training, program expectations, application preparation, and career pathways. This event is an opportunity to engage with experts and gather insight for your academic planning. Please review the details below to register.

Date: April 23, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST
Topic: Psychology Master’s and Doctoral Programs
Register Here: https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapa-org.zoom.us%2Fmeeting%2Fregister%2FJ13ZB00dTHS1fOhsYFd6yQ&data=05%7C02%7Cjohnsonata%40uncw.edu%7Ce408f2b4e6ff45e21fae08de89d32f99%7C2213678197534c75af2868a078871ebf%7C0%7C0%7C639099737382386098%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xSGgvU0l6ZZ1ZS8yBCESo%2BsBaeX%2BQRVe9K8od4rRw2U%3D&reserved=0

Join us for an upcoming seminar featuring Dr. Ryan Vetreno, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Vetreno will present his research on how adolescent alcohol exposure can lead to lasting brain dysfunction, with a focus on neuroimmune and epigenetic mechanisms.

📍 Location: TL Building, Room 2012
🗓 Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 4:00–4:50 PM

This seminar is a great opportunity for students and faculty interested in neuroscience, psychology, biology, and chemistry to learn about cutting-edge research in brain and behavior. All are welcome!

Reminder: Join the Department of Psychology for the 2026 Andy Jackson Lecture Series, featuring an engaging talk on the role of psychology in shaping policy and advocacy during challenging times.

Dr. Patrick DeLeon—former president of the American Psychological Association—will present “Psychology Advocacy in Turbulent Times.” Drawing on decades of experience in public policy, government, and higher education, Dr. DeLeon will discuss how psychology can inform leadership, decision-making, and societal change.

📅 March 20, 2026
🕒 3:30 – 4:50 p.m.
📍 McNeill Hall Auditorium 1005 DE at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Students, faculty, and community members are welcome to attend this special lecture and conversation about the impact of psychology beyond the classroom.