A psychology fair Tuesday aims to provide undergraduates with information on research opportunities as well as volunteer work that can earn them Ohio University academic credit.
The OU psychology department confirmed 34 different organizations will attend the fair: 16 mental health agencies, 16 research labs and two student organizations. It will take place on the first floor of Porter Hall from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The first fair was held in 2010 — the department decided not to organize it last year because of the work involved in the Quarters to Semesters transition, said Susan Tice-Alicke, assistant chair for undergraduate studies in psychology and coordinator for the event.
“We wanted to try to find a way of getting more students taking advantage of the opportunity for community service,” Tice-Alicke said. “The department gives credit for volunteer work in a mental-health facility.”
Any OU student can earn credit for Fieldwork in Psychology (Psychology 3910) by volunteering with a number of organizations that are “designed to serve the residents of southeastern Ohio,” according to the department’s website.
Many students are interested in earning credit work with an organization called Appalachian Behavioral Health Care, Tice-Alicke said.
“That’s one of our biggest agencies; we have a great working relationship there,” she said. “We've had students at The Gathering Place, Good Works, and then we do have some students who are at the Survivor Advocacy Program.”
However, the volunteer aspect is only one side of the fair. The psychology department also has many research opportunities, which they hope undergraduate students will become involved in, she said.
OU’s Psi Chi chapter and the Psychology Club will attend the fair and have assisted in its organization, said Tiffany Rybak, a senior studying psychology.
“We set up tables for each lab and they can bring conference posters or other examples of their research,” Rybak said via email. “This gives undergraduates and anyone else who is interested an opportunity to see the progress in each field. It also provides undergraduates with a great networking opportunity to get involved in research.”
OU President Roderick McDavis and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Frank will attend the fair, Tice-Alicke said.
"Last time, I think we had over 100 people that came through … so I'm hoping to have over 100 students,” she said. “I'm hoping to fill the halls when the president is here.”
WHAT: Second Annual Psychology Fieldwork and Research Fair
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: 1st floor of Porter Hall
ADMISSION: Free
bv111010@ohiou.edu
