Worcester State College received the honor to host the 49th Annual Meeting of the New England Psychological Association and the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Psychology on October 9 and 10.
NEPA is a research conference open to faculty and students in all areas of psychology. NECTOP is a teaching conference that is attended by college and high school psychology faculty.
This endeavor was made possible because of the collaboration between the WSC Psychology Department and the Office of Academic Affairs. Over 200 faculty, students and scholars from the New England area attended. Emily Soltano (Psychology) serves on the steering committee for NEPA.
Numerous faculty, current WSC students and graduates from the Psychology Department participated in the conference. On October 9, five faculty from the WSC Psychology Department presented at NECTOP; Emily Soltano,Champika K. Soysa, Brandi Silver and Amy Cota-McKinley gave an invited symposium entitled Research Methods in Psychology. Beth Russell and Amy Cota-McKinley facilitated a participant idea exchange on Online Audio Instruction: Evaluation of Nontraditional Approach to Distance Learning.
On Saturday, nine WSC faculty and students presented their research. Mary Jane Rosati* and Pearl Mosher-Ashley presented a poster on College Student Involvement in the Care of Sick, Disabled or Elderly Family Members; Champika K. Soysa, Kathleen Clark*, and Jamie Venini* presented a poster on Procrastination, Coping, and Achievement Anxiety in College Women;Christine Becerra* and Champika K. Soysa presented a poster, Perfectionism, Support, Achievement Anxiety and Stress; Caitlin Desrochers*presented a poster, Lying to Get In: A study of deceptive practices used on job applications and resumes; and Cheryl Burlingame* and Beth Russell presented a poster, The role of parents attitudes towards play development of preschoolers” social skill.
Emily Soltano (Psychology Club Advisor) and Amy Cota-McKinley coordinated a Psi Chi Student-Faculty exchange that included student club officers and members: Jonida Theodhoraqi (former Psychology Club Present) Miriam Curini (former Psychology Club Vice President), Megan Tull (Psi Chi President), Amanda VanNess (Psi Chi Vice President), Nicole Braga(Psychology Club Secretary), Jessica Lalli (Psychology Club Vice President), and Kathryn Fokas (Psychology Club Member).
The conference not only showcased the research of faculty and students from the Psychology Department but also provided the chance to share knowledge and learn from colleagues across New England.
* = Students and graduates from the WSC Psychology Department. These students accomplished these projects from Psychology Department Honors and independent study projects.
Written by Emily Soltano, Ph.D.