Letter from the Chair

As the winter season graces our campus with its chilly embrace, we are excited to share with you the latest news and updates from the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. This winter newsletter reflects the spirit of warmth, community, and intellectual exploration that defines our department.

Winter is also a time of reflection, and in the Department of Psychology, we reflect not only on our past achievements but also on the collaborative spirit that propels us forward. For me personally, I have had the chance to reflect on the opportunity and privilege of becoming the Department Chair, succeeding Professor Sheri Mizumori, who served as our leader for the past year after previously serving as Chair from 2009 to 2018. It is a great privilege and honor to serve as the new Chair and represent the talented students, staff, and faculty in our department.

As we begin a new year, I am thrilled to share with you the promising future that lies ahead for our department. We are delighted to announce the addition of two talented individuals to our faculty. These new hires bring a wealth of knowledge, diverse perspectives, and a passion for research and teaching. Their expertise in developmental psychology and pedagogy will not only enhance our research capabilities but also enrich the academic experiences of our students. Join me in welcoming Drs. Amber Williams and Delancey Wu to our esteemed team of faculty. Both Drs. Williams and Wu are featured in our newsletter.

In addition to our new faculty, our graduate program welcomed a new cohort of exceptional graduate students this Fall. These bright minds represent the future of psychology research and practice, and we are excited to support them on their academic journey. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and unique perspectives will undoubtedly contribute to the vibrant intellectual community we have cultivated within our department.

This season, we also want to express our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support. We are very grateful for the gifts and endowments received that directly support our graduate and undergraduate students. We are happy to announce the three new recipients of the Aric Chandler Memorial Scholarship. You can learn more about these student recipients and how to contribute to student support in this newsletter. We are also happy to announce that the Center for Child and Family Well-Being, which is affiliated with our department, received a $2.6M gift from the Ballmer Group to promote the well-being of children, youth, parents, and the professionals who work with them.

We hope in the upcoming new year, you will consider making a gift to the Friends of Psychology fund so we can continue to advance our educational and scientific mission, and make advances that benefit our local, national, and global communities. Your gifts can make a powerful impact in advancing the important work of UW Psychology.

We hope you enjoy reading about the vibrant happenings in our Winter newsletter. As we celebrate the holidays and the close of another successful year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you, our cherished friends and supporters.

Warm regards,

Joe Sisneros

Department of Psychology Chair

Psychology Names Three Chandler Scholars

Welcoming A New Graduate Student Cohort

Introducing Two New Faculty Members

CCFW Receives $2.6M from the Ballmer Group