The third annual PASSHE Psychology Conference was held October 19 and 20, 2012, at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. This conference is a yearly gathering designed to foster community and allow for members of the psychology departments at the 14 state universities to share ideas and research findings. The inaugural conference was hosted in October 2010 by the IUP Psychology Department.
Presentations were made by faculty and students from Bloomsburg, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Kutztown, IUP, Mansfield, and Millersville. IUP students Mallory Clark, Anna Eyer, Rachel Posner, Michael Robb, and Emily Silvis and faculty members Pearl Berman, Krys Kaniasty, Anson Long, Maureen McHugh, Lisa Newell, Raymond Pavloski, and Margaret Reardon presented research findings. In addition, a May 2012 graduate of the Psychology Department honors program, Thomas Trautman, also represented IUP. The leadership of the IUP Psychology Department in establishing the event and in providing support was noted by participants.
John Cavanaugh, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, provided the keynote address, entitled “Current Advances and Controversies in Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Intervention.” Cavanaugh is a highly accomplished researcher and scholar in the neuropsychology of aging. He provided conference attendees with a cutting-edge view of research on causes of and interventions for Alzheimer’s disease.
A great deal of enthusiasm for this conference was expressed by participants, and its value for both students and faculty was noted. Faculty from two different PASSHE system universities have expressed an interest in hosting a fourth annual conference in Fall 2013.
