Page 13: Psychology
Page 13: 2004 APAGS Department of the Year
When Industrial and Organizational Psychology doctoral student Renée E. DeRouin received a congratulatory email from the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS), she was very excited. Only two-weeks earlier, DeRouin had nominated the UCF Psychology Department for APAGS “Department of the Year,” and UCF had won it.
Each year APAGS names one psychology department “Department of the Year.” The award recognizes a graduate psychology department that has shown outstanding commitment to graduate students and graduate student life through actions such as superior faculty assistance, attention to students’ needs, and student-faculty relations. Each applicant department must be nominated and voted on by the members of APAGS, all of whom are current graduate students.
APAGS has been recognizing a “Department of the Year” for about 7 years, said Carol Williams-Nickelson, Associate Executive Director of APAGS, via email. In the past, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida have both received this honor.
“I think [that receiving the award] shows what a strong graduate department we have, even though our programs are relatively new,” said (then) Interim Chair, Richard Tucker. He adds that “just knowing that our graduate students think so well of us is award enough.”
Want to know more?
UCF Psychology Website: www.psych.ucf.edu
APAGS: www.apa.org/apags
Page 13: Children and Families
One of the psychological research labs at the university is the Understanding Children and Families laboratory. Led by Kim Renk, assistant professor of clinical psychology, the group explores parents’ perceptions and interactions with their children, as well as how these perceptions impact emotional and behavioral tendencies in children and adolescents. The lab addresses a variety of psychological issues, including psychological disorders in children and problems in families. In one project, which was conducted in collaboration with Florida Hospital’s Walt Disney Cancer Institute and St. Petersburg’s All Children’s Hospital, researchers examined the quality of life of children diagnosed with cancer. In another on-going project the researchers are evaluating families’ coping behaviors during the recent Florida hurricanes.
Understanding Children and Families performs research through its sub-organizations, the Perception and Interaction Research Studies Laboratory and the Young Child and Family Research Clinic.
The Perception and Interaction Research Studies Laboratory applies the family perception research to various conflicts, including discipline problems, domestic violence, and child abuse.
The Young Child and Family Research Clinic serves families in the Central Florida community, many of whom do not have the means to seek treatment elsewhere. The clinic conducts psychological evaluations for families who are concerned that their young children may have learning problems. The clinic also regularly provides therapy and interventions, both in single-family and group settings. Children, six years old and younger, may be referred to the clinic by local pediatricians, organizations, and clinics.
Want to know more?
Psychology website: www.psych.ucf.edu
Kim Renk, krenk@ucf.edu
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