Information on Access, Opportunity, and Belonging
The Department of Psychological Sciences is committed to fostering an environment that supports everyone having access to the opportunities of the program. The department recognizes that its undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty, and staff represent multiple identities and cultures throughout the world. Everyone has their own unique perspective in life, which is honored and celebrated by our department. This website serves as a guide for those seeking to learn more or become part of the welcoming culture within our department.
Land Grant Acknowledgement
The Department of Psychological Sciences recognizes and acknowledges Kansas State University’s establishment on native lands. K-State was the first land-grant institution established under the 1862 Morrill Act. Many Native nations utilized the western plains of Kansas as their hunting grounds, and others – such as the Delaware – were moved through this region during Indian removal efforts to make way for White settlers. It’s important to acknowledge this, since the land that serves as the foundation for this institution was, and still is, stolen land.
We remember these truths because K-State’s status as a land-grant institution is a story that exists within ongoing settler-colonialism, and rests on the dispossession of Indigenous peoples and nations from their lands. These truths are often invisible to many. The recognition that K-State’s history begins and continues through Indigenous contexts is essential.
Undergraduate Program
Many of the undergraduate courses in psychological sciences cover topics that are relevant to the disparate nature of human lives, historical and current disparities between people, and the effects of these factors on human behavior. Some examples of such undergraduate courses are:
Cross-Cultural Psychology (PSYCH 538) focuses on how human psychology and behaviors both differ and are consistent across cultures, and sometimes within subcultures.
Psychology of Gender (PSYCH 540) is an investigation of psychological processes involved in gender with emphasis on development and major life events. Topics include physiology, early socialization into sex/gender roles, friendship, achievement, motivation, sexuality, romantic relationships, family development, work, and mental health.
Multicultural Psychology (PSYCH 556) introduces and familiarizes students with the concept of multicultural psychology (how people of different cultures live and interact within a shared space).
The Psychology of Ethnic Humor (PSYCH 557) reviews the structure, dynamics, and social functions of ethnic humor.
Gender Issues in the Workplace (PSYCH 563) covers experiences of women and men in the world of work, with emphases on traditional and nontraditional sex-role behavior, sexual discrimination and harassment, and relevant socialization experiences.
Advanced Social Psychology (PSYCH 605) is an advanced look at some of the core topics in social psychology (e.g. the self, social influence, personal relationships, prejudice and discrimination, group processes) with a strong emphasis on applying the theory in these areas to current social problems and students’ daily lives.
Graduate Program
The Graduate Association for Psychology Students (GAPS) exists to foster and support the education, personal development, and professional growth of graduate students in the field of psychology. These goals are accomplished in accordance with Kansas State University’s mission and principles of community. GAPS, both members and elected officers, are committed to embracing and honoring full access, opportunities, and belonging of all students within the organization. GAPS demonstrates this commitment by continued formal and informal education opportunities to promote a non-exclusionary culture at the group, classroom, department, and university levels.
Department Scholarships and Awards
The department works to support students from different backgrounds through the following funds:
The Leon Rappoport Memorial Scholarship for Nontraditional Students provides financial assistance to students properly enrolled in the Department of Psychological Sciences who are full-time junior(s) or senior(s) who have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Preference is given to non-traditional students, defined as a student meeting one of the following criteria 1) 25 years of age or older 2) Married 3) A parent 4) A veteran or 5) Returning to school after an absence (usually 3 or more years). Donations to support this fund can be made via the K-State Foundation.
The Sewell Research Scholarship is for a psychological sciences major that is involved in research with a faculty member. Preference is given to first generation college students or students who transferred to KSU from a community/junior college. The student does not have to be a graduating senior.
Recent Presentations
The following are recent presentations by department members that are related to access, opportunity, and belonging issues.
Difficult Dialogues Webinar by Dr. Don Saucier (Professor in Psychological Sciences) and Dr. Be Stoney (Associate Professor in Physical and Multicultural Education)
In this webinar, we will provide instructors with effective guidelines and practices to help them facilitate difficult dialogues and conversations about differences, fairness, and non-exclusion in their classes. We will discuss concrete and practical recommendations to help instructors build community within their classes, foster empathy for multiple perspectives, and create ways for individuals to use their voices both to share their perspectives and experiences during these discussions and to promote social change through future action. We will discuss how to help students appreciate the importance of understanding others’ cultural norms and values and to have fact-based conversations about culture, race, and ethnicity. We will discuss how to cultivate students’ attitudes of discovery, curiosity, and inquiry to allow them to better consider and understand issues related to differences, fairness, and non-exclusion.
Tips & Tricks for Incorporating Considerations of Differences, Fairness, and Non-exclusion in Your Classroom: This recorded session from the Teaching and Learning Center Professional Development Series provides tips and tricks for designing your syllabus, lectures, and classroom materials to include students of all identities in the classroom. Presented by Trevor Bell (Psychological Sciences) on Wednesday, April 13th, 2022.
Research Contributions
Several of the research programs within the Department of Psychological Sciences include research on issues related to differences, fairness, and non-exclusion. These include:
- Dr. Heather Bailey’s research examines aging and memory, including the challenges of involving some older people in activities as their abilities change.
- Dr. Natalie Barlett's research examines factors that support individuals during their transition through emerging adulthood specific to their identities and backgrounds.
- Dr. Laura Brannon's research investigates how to positively modify different attitudes and behaviors, challenging individuals to consider new and different perspectives.
- Dr. Don Saucier’s research examines the psychological processes of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination.
Programs and Organizations
Members of the Department of Psychological Sciences also work with numerous Kansas State University programs to foster belonging of everyone. These programs include:
The Developing Scholars Program offers historically underrepresented students opportunities to gain valuable research experience along with peer and faculty member mentoring and the benefits of being part of a community of researchers advancing the science of psychology.
The McNair Scholars Program (The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program) is program funded by a grant from the federal Department of Education to prepare talented undergraduates for graduate study, with the goal of increasing the number of Ph.D. recipients from underrepresented socio-economic and ethnic groups. To be eligible, students must either be first-generation and income-limited, or a member of a group that is underrepresented in higher education. The McNair Scholars Program is structured to prepare undergraduates for successful careers as professors and professional researchers. Scholars receive advice and assistance in preparing themselves academically for graduate school, searching for graduate programs to apply to, completing the application process, and deciding what program to enter. This preparation is offered in the form of classes, colloquia, advising, tutoring, faculty mentoring, and the completion of a Summer Research Internship. Scholars conduct original research, write reports, make presentations, and have the opportunity to attend research conferences.
The Research Immersion: Pathways to STEM (RiPS) has as its goal to double the number of underrepresented minorities (URM) graduating with baccalaureate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees from K-State. The program is aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of students successfully completing STEM baccalaureate degree programs, and increasing the number of students interested in, academically qualified for, and matriculated into programs of graduate study. It recognizes Louis Stokes, a long-term African American congressman from Ohio.
The K-State Office for the Advancement of Women in Sciences and Engineering ( KAWSE) works to increase the participation, retention and advancement of girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The office serves as home of the ADVANCE, SUCCEED, EXCITE! and GROW programs. These programs are open to all genders, and emphasize the exciting educational and professional opportunities available in the various STEM disciplines.
- GROW (Girls Researching Our World) is a hands-on programs for 6th-8th graders, designed to inspire students to pursue a STEM career.
- EXCITE provides programming for 9th-12th graders, encouraging students to experience college life and enter a STEM major.
- SUCCEED provides professional development, employment, volunteer and networking programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
- ADVANCE provides professional development programs for postdoctoral students and faculty in STEM fields.
Other Resources
The College of Arts and Sciences offers programing, scholarships and resources for students and faculty in order to foster, encourage and promote participation by all in university experiences.
The Student Belonging Office provides leadership in building a campus climate that fosters mutual understanding among different groups and helps to support several student organizations.
The Student Access Center serves the campus community by partnering with students, faculty, and staff to create accessible environments and provide academic and housing accommodations.
The Teaching and Learning Center provides weekly professional development sessions for educators. Many of these events include information about how to incorporate different perspectives, impartial evaluations, and not exclude others.