The Department of Psychological Sciences celebrates students’ successes throughout the year and offers its sincere congratulations to those graduating this semester with Bachelor of Science in Psychological Sciences, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and Master of Arts in Psychological Sciences degrees, as well as those who received their minor in psychology. The Department is particularly pleased to acknowledge its Outstanding Seniors for the spring 2021 semester. These individuals were chosen for their stellar academic records and activities related to psychological sciences.
Sarah Annibal was lauded for her hard work, conscientiousness, academic success, and volunteerism. She has also contributed to her fellow students at NAU through service on the Student Undergrad Research Committee (SURC), the Research Assistant Mentoring Program (RAMP), as an officer in Psychology Club, and as a peer teaching assistant.
Kyra Sloan was recognized for her substantial contributions to research projects leading to opportunities for her to serve as co-author on manuscripts and present at conferences. Kyra demonstrated reliability, initiative, and collaboration throughout the challenging academic year and served as a model for other research team members.
Leah Weich was selected as the Outstanding Senior to represent the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. This selection was celebrated earlier in the semester at a university-wide event. As an undergraduate, Leah was accepted into the accelerated graduate degree program. She will receive both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychological sciences in 2021. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to providing mental health advocacy for incarcerated individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and interned with Victim Witness Services in addition to serving in other volunteer roles related to mental health within the Flagstaff area.
Emerson Weinbrecht was recognized for her academic achievements, research activities, and commitment to the education of her peers. In addition to serving as a tutor through the Academic Success Centers, she served as a teaching assistant in an Advanced Undergraduate Research (PSY 304W) course, providing direct support to student research groups.
In addition to recognizing these Outstanding Seniors, the Department of Psychological Sciences recognized Morgan Jernigan as the Outstanding Graduate Student. Morgan’s thesis research includes two studies that contribute to the existing literature regarding the role of media in perceptions of mass and school shootings. Her thesis research has been accepted as a poster presentation at the conference for the Association for Psychological Sciences (APS) this summer. Morgan has demonstrated strong leadership and mentoring skills in her collaboration with several undergraduate research assistants each semester and served as a wonderful role model for undergraduate students in classes and research labs. She has also helped to coordinate multiple events for the Students for Indigenous Psychology (SIP) Speaker series at NAU, demonstrating her passion and commitment to diversity in the psychological sciences.
Congratulations, Class of 2021!