Department of Psychology Awards
Undergraduate
Louis C. Weber Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Kendall Sharp
Kendall Sharp is a senior at the University of North Texas originally from Austin, Texas. She will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is currently a research assistant with the Center for Sports Psychology at UNT. Previously, she was a research assistant with the Sleep Research Lab at UNT. She is a member of Psi Chi, a psychology ambassador through the College of Arts and Sciences, and was a peer mentor for psychology. She has been a recipient of the Dean's list and President's list for her entire undergraduate career.
Louis C. Weber Scholarship for Psi Chi Award
Kylie Sligar
Kylie Sligar, is an undergraduate in her senior year in the Bachelor of Science of Psychology program at UNT. Aside from a full load of classes and a part time job as an on campus Trio/SSS tutor, she is currently working in two research labs on campus. The first, with Dr. Barnett, focuses on neuropsychological assessments and virtual realities. And she also works on Dr. Blumenthal's Teen Star lab where the focus is on the health and behavior of adolescents. Research is one of Kylie's main passions regarding psychology and a lot of her time is dedicated to these labs. Kylie also holds a leadership role within UNT's chapter of Psi Chi. She has been a Psi Chi member for a year, but this past fall started working as the co-chair of the service committee, in which she helps coordinate community service events.
Graduate
Charlotte Friedersdorff-Boyd Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Graduate Student
Rawya Al-Jabari
Rawya says, "…During my undergraduate education I learned more about psychology as a way to help me make sense of the world around me, especially as it related to mental illness…One of my first training experiences was volunteering on an inpatient psychiatric ward. This is where I began to listen to and learn about people at the individual level and I was hooked- clinical psychology was where I wanted to be!...My graduate training solidified my understanding of human suffering and helped me develop into the clinician and person I am today."
Bonney Honor Student in Psychology Award
Nicholas Ross
Nick is a 1st year student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program at UNT. His primary social advocacy experience comes from the Survivor's Advocacy Team (SAT) of Denton County Friends of the Family. SAT is an on-call dispatch team of volunteers that offers face-to-face crisis intervention for recent survivors of sexual assault in an emergency room setting. Nick has worked with SAT for approximately 2 years. He is also involved in Violence Intervention and Prevention for Perpetrators (VIPP) offered by Friends of the Family, and is a court-ordered 27 week group therapy program for male perpetrators of family or relationship violence
Ladenberger Honor Student in Psychology Award
Stephanie Agtarap
"I am in my third year in the Behavioral Science program continuing to develop a career trajectory as a health psychologist. Broadly, I am interested in how individuals cope mentally and physiologically after a traumatic experience…Within the department, I volunteered this past year as the student coordinator for the Health Psychology Research Group, a group that meets weekly to discuss health research, professional development, and career trajectories from external speakers," says Stephanie. Additionally, she also serves as Experimental Representative for the Graduate Association of Students in Psychology (GASP) and is working on implementing an alumni newsletter that will inform previous Experimental graduates about the current news of the program.
Psychology Teaching Fellow Award
Rachel Carter
Rachel Carter received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Iowa, and after taking several years to gain clinical and research experience in her field, she entered the Clinical Psychology program at the University of North Texas. Rachel first taught for UNT's Department of Psychology in the fall of 2013. Since that time, she has taught many classes, from small undergraduate lab courses to large undergraduate lecture courses, as well as an advanced interviewing skills lab to graduate students in her field. All have been accomplished with high approval. Students have commented that "Rachel was so helpful and encouraging in all aspects…" and "…even when I was struggling she helped me figure out what needed to be done to improve…"
Anna Wright Memorial Scholarship
Suzanne Chu Chian Chong
Suzanne Chong Chu Chian is a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral candidate of University of North Texas (UNT) and has always been interested in working with underserved and diverse populations from a multi-cultural perspective. Suzanne says, "The clinical psychology program of UNT is committed to creating an environment that encourages diversity and I am very much in accordance with the program's dedication in working with underserved populations." Suzanne hopes to ultimately become an advocate for better policies on mental health issues in her native Malaysia.
Dr. G. Frank Lawlis Scholarship
Kayla Carrigan
Kayla is a third year student in the UNT Counseling Psychology program with the Sport Psychology elective cluster. Kayla says, "My time at the University of North Texas has been nothing short of incredible. Over the course of my academic career, I have had the opportunity to conduct research, present at conferences, imagine and begin writing a book based on my applied work, create workshops to present at conferences, and identify my love for applied work and supervision." She is an active contributor to the University and the Department of Psychology who will serve as an APAGS Ambassador at the convention in Honolulu, and as the social and transportation chair for the AASP regional conference to be held at UNT.
Frank Collins Memorial Scholarship
Danielle Moyer
Danielle is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student in her 2nd year of the program. She began her studies at UNT after completing a Master's degree in Applied Psychology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL). Danielle has presented two paper presentations, contributed to several paper and poster presentations, and chaired a panel on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) across three internationally recognized conferences. She has further been accepted to present a paper and help lead a clinical workshop at a local chapter conference in March. Danielle's research interests are founded on Relational Frame Theory (RFT), a behavioral account of human language and cognition, and the various clinical applications of this theory, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Specific interests include applying the principles of RFT and ACT, such as psychological willingness and valued living, to the wellbeing of children and families.
Ernest H. Harrell Memorial Scholarship
Melissa Edwards
"As a third year graduate student in the Clinical Health Psychology program at the University of North Texas, I have been very fortunate to gain training as a scientist practitioner in the area of neuropsychology. My research experience speaks towards my dedication to the area of geriatrics and factors related to aging among minorities. My latest first author publications have served as a proof-of-concept for molecular neuropsychology, which fosters translational research efforts by combining proteomics with neuropsychological measure for prognostic and diagnostic advancements…My goal moving forward and into my career is to continue to work with underserved populations with an overall focus on healthy and unhealthy aging," says Melissa.
2015 Outstanding Dissertation Award
Kendal Maxwell
A Comparison of Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Memory Specificity Training (MeST) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
One of the highlights of Kendal's dissertation is that her project represents the first successful randomized clinical trial for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) conducted within the Psychology Clinic at UNT. In addition, another highlight of this project is that it is the first time within the United States that MeST has been used for a treatment option for PTSD.
Kendal Maxwell is a 3rd year doctoral student within the Clinical Psychology Program. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Michigan State University and received her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Eastern Michigan University. She defended her dissertation associated with this award in October of 2014. In February of 2015 she was accepted for pre-doctoral internship at the North Texas Veteran Affairs System in Dallas, TX for a Neuropsychology specialty track. She plans to continue with her psychological career by applying for post-doctoral fellowships in Neuropsychology after graduating from the University of North Texas next year.
2015 Outstanding Thesis Award
Pamela Holtz
Personality and Mental Health Attitudes among US Army ROTC Cadets
Pamela's master's thesis examined the role of leader personality in mental health attitudes. With the current military mental health crisis, it is important to understand the role of the leader in military mental health. Pamela investigated the NEO Five Factor Model personality dimensions and mental health attitudes of US Army officer candidates, the future leaders of the US Army. The results highlight the need for more research and more refined measures in the area of leader attitudes toward soldier mental health problems, and how those attitudes might impact the soldiers.
Pamela Holtz is a 3rd year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at UNT. She specializes in military mental health, particularly combat stress, military sexual trauma, and mental health stigma. She is an officer in the United States Army and will pursue a career as an Army clinical psychologist upon completion of her doctoral degree. She has experience in psychological assessment, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level, psychotherapy, and research.
2015 Outstanding Scholarly Publication Award
Daniel Romero
"Coping, Family Social Support, and Psychological Symptoms Among Student Veterans"
Daniel Romero, Shelley A. Riggs, and Camilo Ruggero
Journal of Counseling Psychology, February 2, 2015
Daniel H. Romero has a master's degree in clinical psychology and is currently a fourth year doctoral student in counseling psychology. Daniel is interested in working with victims of trauma and his research interests include how posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms affect active duty military personnel, military veterans, and student veterans. Other research interests include investigating the effects of homonegativity toward gay men and lesbians.
Daniel says, "Given high rates of psychiatric symptoms among college student veterans, the number of student veterans presenting for services at college counseling centers will continue to increase in the coming years. Yet, outside of the military and VA settings, many mental health professionals may be unfamiliar with military culture or combat-related psychiatric disturbance, leaving many colleges and universities unprepared to address the unique needs of these students. Understanding the military culture and the demands it places on military service members is a matter of multicultural competence."
Research Day Student Poster Awards
1st place ($200 prize): Kendal Maxwell
Poster title: "Comparison of Treatments for PTSD Symptoms: Memory Specificity Training and Cognitive Processing Therapy"
2nd place ($150 prize): Cesar Villarreal, Rosemary Estevez, Megan Douglas, Christian Goans
Poster title: "Racial/Ethnic Diversity in Scientific Conferences: Disparities in Representation"
3rd place ($100 prize): Jessica Dietch
Poster title: "Psychometrics and discriminant validity of the PSQI in a college sample"
We received many great applicants and we are pleased to recognize these fine winners. Congratulations once again to you all!
Thank you,
2015 Department of Psychology Scholarship Committee
- Michael D. Barnett, PhD, Committee Chair
- Heidemarie Blumenthal, PhD
- Zina Trost, PhD