Cumberlands Psychology Professor Recognized for Mentorship and Service to Psi Chi

Dr. Jane Whitaker's six years as Psi Chi chapter advisor have helped psychology students at University of the Cumberlands connect classroom learning with leadership, service, and professional growth.

Dr. Jane Whitaker, associate professor of psychology at University of the Cumberlands, recently received a letter of appreciation from Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, recognizing her service as chapter advisor during the 2025-2026 academic year.

For the past six years, Whitaker has helped Cumberlands psychology students connect what they learn in the classroom with opportunities for professional development, leadership, and community service.

"Cumberlands' Psi Chi chapter gives our psychology students opportunities to take what they are learning in the classroom and use it to serve others," Whitaker shared.

That commitment was evident throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, as the chapter welcomed 19 new members and found meaningful ways to put their knowledge into practice, both on campus and in the surrounding community.

What Is Psi Chi, and How Does It Benefit Psychology Students?

Psi Chi is an international honor society in psychology that recognizes academic excellence and provides opportunities for students and faculty to advance their knowledge, engage in research, and develop professionally.

Through membership, eligible students and faculty can access more than $400,000 in grants, awards, and scholarships offered by the society. Members also have opportunities to contribute to psychological research through publications such as the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research.

For undergraduate psychology students, these opportunities can provide valuable experiences beyond the classroom while helping them explore potential career paths and prepare for graduate education.

But making the most of those opportunities often begins with a dedicated chapter advisor.

At Cumberlands, that advisor has been Whitaker for the past six years.

In her letter of appreciation, Psi Chi Executive Director Dr. Marianne Fallon emphasized the importance of faculty advisors in supporting the society's mission. Advisors help identify, invite, and induct qualified students into membership while providing mentorship and advocating for their local chapters.

"In short, our Society would not exist without the 1,160+ faculty members across the globe who serve as chapter advisors," Fallon shared.

How Cumberlands Psychology Students Put Learning Into Practice

During the 2025-2026 academic year, Cumberlands' Psi Chi chapter gave students numerous opportunities to grow academically, professionally, and personally.

The chapter inducted 19 new members, attended a Kentucky Psychological Foundation conference in Frankfort, and participated in community service projects throughout the year.

Those projects included organizing a food drive, leading a pumpkin-painting activity at a local nursing home, and writing letters of encouragement to veterans. Students also participated in mental health awareness events on campus.

While these activities may look different on the surface, they share a common purpose: helping students understand how psychology can be used to build connections, support others, and strengthen communities.

"I'm especially proud of the ways our students have become involved in mental health awareness events on campus, visiting seniors in a local nursing home, supporting a local food bank, and writing encouraging notes to veterans," Whitaker said. "These experiences help our students understand that psychology is ultimately about people and about making a positive difference in the lives of others."

Through these experiences, students have opportunities to develop skills that extend beyond academic knowledge, including communication, empathy, collaboration, and leadership.

Fallon also recognized the chapter's contributions to the broader organization, sharing that Cumberlands' Psi Chi chapter "helps Psi Chi advance our mission to recognize and promote excellence in the science and application of psychology while offering students opportunities to build lasting relationships, valuable skills, and meaningful experiences to last a lifetime."

What Makes Studying Psychology at Cumberlands Different?

Psi Chi membership is one of several opportunities available to undergraduate psychology students at University of the Cumberlands.

Through the university's psychology program, students build a foundation in psychological theories, research, and human behavior while exploring how those concepts apply to real-world situations.

That foundation can help prepare students for graduate study and a variety of professional paths, including counseling, clinical psychology, social work, education, human resources, marketing, and business management. Some of these careers require additional education, training, or licensure.

Beyond coursework, opportunities like Psi Chi give students ways to engage with their field, develop professional relationships, and discover how their interests and abilities can make a difference in the lives of others.

For Whitaker, that combination of academic preparation, personal mentorship, and hands-on experience is what makes the program meaningful.

"What makes Cumberlands' undergraduate psychology program special to me is the way we are able to combine a strong academic foundation with meaningful relationships, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to serve," Whitaker shared. "I love seeing our students grow in confidence as they discover their strengths and begin to see themselves as future psychologists, counselors, researchers, and professionals who can use what they've learned to serve others."

Her recognition from Psi Chi reflects the important role faculty mentorship plays in creating those opportunities and helping students make the most of their college experience.

Explore Psychology at University of the Cumberlands

At University of the Cumberlands, studying psychology means more than learning about human behavior. It's an opportunity to better understand people, build meaningful relationships, and discover how your knowledge can make a difference.

Through challenging academics, supportive faculty, and opportunities for hands-on learning and service, Cumberlands psychology students can develop the knowledge and skills to prepare for their next steps.

Explore the undergraduate psychology program at University of the Cumberlands and discover how you can turn your interest in understanding people into a meaningful future.

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