Nominated by Brandilynn Villarreal and Maria I. Iturbide

Doug serves as HSU’s Student Council Representative for our regional psychology organization: Western Psychological Association (WPA). As such, he represents the school’s interests and advocates for our students at the yearly council meeting. Currently, he is organizing a group of psychology students who would like to attend the WPA conference and is seeking club funding for students. Doug is also involved in planning a pre-WPA poster session at HSU to help students practice for the conference in a safe environment. Doug is also a member of the national society in his emphasis: Society for Research on Adolescence.

Doug is a graduate assistant (GA) for the Psychology department and he is highly dependable, a skilled collaborator, and team player. Doug takes initiative and does what he can to help the team of teaching assistants and our students. Doug has demonstrated academic leadership in his extensive involvement as a highly dependable graduate assistant (GA) and within various academic clubs and organizations. He has served as both Secretary and Treasurer for Psi Chi and Psychology Club, Treasurer for the Vegan Club, and Historian for Scholars of Academic Research (SOAR). Doug’s involvement far exceeds his officer positions and he often picks up the slack when things need to be done. Doug also works as a facilitator between the psychology clubs. He is frequently organizing study sessions and working groups for his peers above and beyond his GA work. He seeks out collaborations that involve multiple students so they all benefit from his initiative and organizational skills.

Doug has been active in the psychology field for over a decade as a case manager and behavior support assistant. He has reached a level of involvement in the field that is rare for an undergraduate student. Doug is also active in the community through his volunteer work. He volunteers for the Boys and Girls Club as well as local school districts. Doug is a returning student and a father of two young children – so I am sure that balancing his home life and school life has led to moments of stress. I see him embrace new experiences, and remain calm and pleasant even under stress. We are grateful to have a student like Doug in our department and he deserves the highest recognition for being a truly outstanding student.