Psychology Doctoral Students Win Multiculturalism Award

Three Marywood University clinical psychology doctoral students including, Amara Chukwunenye, Philadelphia, Pa.; Bertnie Jeanniton, Orlando, Fla.; and Tyshawn Thompson, Fair Lawn, New Jersey, were recently notified that they won the Pennsylvania Psychological Foundation’s (PPF) Student Multiculturalism Award. The awards will be announced officially on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, during the Pennsylvania Psychological Association's Virtual Webinar.

The Pennsylvania Psychological Foundation, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Psychological Association’s Committee on Multiculturalism, established a Student Multiculturalism Award in 2010. The award is given to psychology students attending school in Pennsylvania who have produced distinguished psychology-related work on issues surrounding multiculturalism, diversity, advocacy, and/or social justice. The submissions must be a formal paper, or other product, such as a notable community service project, work history or other activity, that demonstrates considerable sophistication in advancing the field’s understanding of, or ability to positively impact, issues related to diverse populations.

Brooke Cannon, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of clinical training for the doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), and Lindsay Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP, assistant professor in the Psy.D. program, nominated the three doctoral students for the PPF Student Multiculturalism Award based on the establishment of the University’s student-faculty organization, UPSIDE: Underrepresented Psychology Student Inclusion, Development, and Empowerment. The mission of UPSIDE is to promote greater recruitment and retention of graduate psychology students from underrepresented groups. Ms. Chukwunenye, Ms. Jeanniton, and Mr. Thompson were among several founding members of the UPSIDE organization. Each of the three students attended every UPSIDE event and meeting that has been hosted to date; made significant contributions to the organization; and they are all contributing to scholarship on multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion.

Dr. Phillips and Dr. Cannon said in a joint statement, “Through their leadership, Amara, Bertnie, and Tyshawn have inspired other students in our program to become a part of UPSIDE. These three are excellent Psy.D. students and deserving of the PPF Student Multiculturalism Award.”

For additional information visit the Psychology and Counseling Department at Marywood University or call (570) 348-6270.or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234. For more information about UPSIDE, please visit www.focusontheupside.org.

Information about the PPF Multiculturalism Award can be found at www.papsy.org.