Assumption’s Psi Chi Honor Society Designated Model Chapter 

The Assumption University Chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society for psychology, has been designated as a 2020-21 Psi Chi Model Chapter for its commitment to the organization’s mission of promoting the study of psychology. Assumption’s chapter is among only 32 of 1,150 chapters to achieve the Model Chapter status this year.

According to Psi Chi, the purpose of the award is to “recognize, designate, and reward healthy and active chapters who demonstrate communication and cooperation with their local communities, their own chapters, and the Psi Chi Central Office by completing the nine objectives, which include inducting new members, voting in the annual Psi Chi elections, submitting chapter activity, among other annual chapter responsibilities.”

“Assumption University’s Psi Chi Chapter  keeps students actively engaged by sponsoring a number of events each academic year that seek to enhance students’ understanding and passion for the study of psychology,” said Maria Parmley, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and chair of Assumption’s Department of Psychology.

In May Psi Chi raised funds and awareness for the Multiple Sclerosis Society by participating in the virtual Walk MS: Worcester event. 

“We are especially proud of our Chapter’s dedication to promoting the science and application of psychology and the way in which the students do so by integrating it with the University’s mission, particularly that of compassionate service,” said Karen Lionello-DeNolf, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, who serves as the Chapter’s advisor with Leamarie Gordon, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology. “This past year was challenging for everyone, and it would have been easy for Chapter events to take a back seat. Instead, our students regularly met to plan events that would fill needs in our campus community, such as hosting social events, and the greater community, such as walking in this year’s MS Walk.”

With this designation, Assumption’s chapter is now eligible to apply for Psi Chi’s prestigious Ruth Hubbard Cousins Chapter Award, which annually recognizes one chapter who “best and consistently exemplifies Psi Chi’s purpose,” and the Florence L. Denmark Faculty Advisor Award, given to one faculty advisor who “exhibits enthusiasm for and commitment to students, psychology and Psi Chi’s purpose.”