Psi Chi was founded on September 4, 1929 during the Ninth International Congress of Psychology held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The Honor Society’s stated purpose is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship, and to advance the science of psychology. Many of the Society’s members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology, including several presidents of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS), numerous national and international award winners, and various other renowned research psychologists, authors, professors, and practitioners.
Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is an affiliate of both the APA and APS. Psi Chi has grown over the past 83 years into one of the largest and most successful honor societies in the world with over 1120 chapters located at college and university campuses throughout the U.S. as well as in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Barbados, Egypt, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. These chapters not only recognize academic achievement by granting membership in the Society, but also sponsor programs and activities which augment and enhance the regular curriculum, offer an outlet for service to the campus and the community at large, and provide practical experience and fellowship through affiliation with the chapter. The international organization bestows several regional and Society research awards, sponsors diverse programs at regional and national psychological association conventions (including lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and information exchanges), and publishes the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research (formerly the Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research). In addition, Psi Chi’s Society service projects illustrate the Society’s commitment to its mission of “student excellence, reflected in scholarly and professional growth within psychology and the ability to impact society positively.”
This elite society is also something that has been out of our reach as World Campus students… Until now! In the spring, we rallied together and submitted our application to charter a NEW Psi Chi chapter. Nervous, because we were rejected in the past, we waited for what felt like an eternity.
But not anymore!
On September 8, 2014, The Pennsylvania State University: World Campus received an official approval from the Psi Chi Board of Directors! Words cannot properly describe the pride and excitement surrounding this momentous victory for World Campus, and all other online students. This is something we should all be extremely proud of!
Over the next few days please monitor your email closely for detailed membership instructions.
Kind regards,
Angel Bingham
This is awwwwwwwwsome news! My Transitions instructor just gave a link to the PSU article about the World Campus Psi Chi Chapter. I will be attending PSU this spring as a Psych major and I can’t wait to become a part of this! Congrats guys, your hard work paid off!
Sincerely,
Danielle Battle
Even being new to this group and process, I appreciate the time and effort it takes to launch a new endeavor. Kudos to the group and I look forward to connecting and working with you in the future.
All the best –
Beth Fahey
Wow! That is outstanding news, in and of itself! I am also very grateful and proud to be a part in this moment in the history of Penn State, World Campus, our Psychology Club, not to mention Psi Chi. I am really looking forward to receiving my application and making it official!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
-Cindy L Riemersma
I know that a lot of work went into this, and that our students of Psychology will have so many valuable opportunities opened to us. Thank you, wholeheartedly, for those who achieved this for us.
CONGRATS to those that made this a reality. I remember being part of the first leadership team and it almost seemed an impossible dream so KUDOS to everyone and Professor Redmond for all you did to make this a reality! WE ARE PENN STATE!!!
Angel,
Words cannot express my excitement and gratitude for your leadership and persistence (along with the awesome contributions of Dr. Brian Redmond) in bringing this dream to a reality.
Congratulations and nice work!!!
Warm regards,
Paul Anderson
This is fabulous news! Thank you so much to those who made this happen. It is an honor to have our hard work be recognized.
This is a milestone for PSU World Campus Psych students and further acknowledgement ( and step) in technology-based learning in the university setting. As online students, we work equally hard in our academic studies, many of us with full-time professions and families. A Psi Chi chapter at WC allows us to be recognized for our outstanding academic achievements. Thank you for the update Angel! I am especially grateful for Brian Redman’s oversight and the many others who have supported and championed this accomplishment.
Six years of hard work, what an accomplishment. This is a testimony of all the hard work and effort put forth by the dedicated staff, and the inspired, motivated, and driven students which comprise the Penn State World Campus.
Congratulations to everyone whose efforts went into this process! This has been a long time coming. The initial reason for creation of the club 6+ years ago was to become a Psi Chi Chapter, so this is very welcome news.