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Opening Remarks
The Department of Psychology gathers annually to present a variety of awards to recognize outstanding contributions in teaching, research, service, and academic performance. This year’s recipients were honored at a reception at the City Campus Union in May, 2026. Dr. Sarah Gervais provided opening remarks.
Psychology Teacher of the Year
Dr. Manda Williamson
Presented by: Psi Chi and Psychology Club President, Harley Boutard
Graduate Student Research Mentor Award
Casey Tisdale
Presented by: Dr. Mike Dodd
Graduate Student Research Mentor Award
Becca Howard Valdivia
Presented by: Dr. Mike Dodd
Graduate Student Classroom Instruction Award
Recipient: Rebecca Wolfe (not pictured)
Presented by: Dr. Mike Dodd
Outstanding Undergraduate Lead Course Instructor
Maxwell Lottes
Presented by: Dr. Manda Williamson
Outstanding Undergraduate Learning Assistant
James Snyder
Presented by: Dr. Manda Williamson
Psychology Club Rising Member
Anabela Zibar
Presented by: Dr. Chelsea Witt
David Levine Diversity Enhancement Award
Graduate Student Recipient: Rebecca Wolfe (not pictured)
Undergraduate Student Recipient: Kiera Irvin (not pictured, represented by Dr. Williamson)
Additional Nominees: Ella Guerra and Shaundra Wiederholt (pictured)
Presented by: Dr. Ken Wakabayashi
Psi Chi Outstanding Members
Chelsea Witt, Ella Guerra, Harley Boutard, Olivia Anderson, Rachel Knudsen, Berkley Nielsen, Sadie Raap, Olivia Schultz. (Not pictured: Meg Beecher, Sophia Murphy, Mikay Raymond, Caitlin Schuette, and Bobby Vogt.)
Donald D. Jensen Undergraduate Research Award
Recipient: Ella Guerra
Additional Nominees: Shaundra Wiederholt, Maxwell Lottes, Naomi Chamberlain, and Aliena Hansen
Presented by: Dr. Sarah Evans
Harry K. Wolfe Award
Recipient: Zein Saleh
Nominees: Ella Guerra, Naomi Chamberlain, Kathryn Koehler, Jake Rance, Hope Schneider, Ayden Topping. (Not pictured: Kiera Irvin, Symone Parent)
Presented by: Dr. Sarah Evans
Distinction
Pictured (left to right): Madelon Cox, Kathryn Koehler. Not Pictured: Danielle Acers, Reem Ahmed, Madison Burback, Delaney Fredericks, Claire Haley, Benjamin Kubicek, Jaky Lara Patino, Taylor McGill, Haley Nadgwick, Thomas Scott, Keara Sell, Taryn Shaffer, Shelby Taylor, and Elaina White.
Presented by: Undergraduate Academic Advisors
High Distinction
Pictured (left to right): Ying Yap, Zarin Rishta, Jake Rance, Natalie Policky, and Ella Hansen. Not Pictured: Torri Almond, Shelby Cook, Mia Garcia-Amador, Alea Hardie, Olivia Hilyard, Courtney Holt, Caleb Jones, Zoe Kennedy, Melisa Kulak, Beau Lee, Marissa Mendez-Santiago, Julian Nelsen, Samantha Ness, Preston Ramaekers, Sawyer Riddick, Elena Rosenblatt, Diamond Sedlak, Katherine Stratman, Jaidy Suarez.
Presented by: Undergraduate Academic Advisors
Highest Distinction
Highest Distinction
Pictured (left to right): Naomi Chamberlain, Aliena Hansen, Zein Saleh, Maxwell Lottes, Shaundra Wiederholt, Ella Guerra, and Ayden Topping. Not Pictured: Ella Mitchell, Bobby Vogt.
Presented by: Undergraduate Academic Advisors
