As a department, we prioritize research, teaching, and service in our pursuit of advancing our understanding of human behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Our research efforts are geared towards discovering new knowledge and innovative ways to apply this knowledge to improve the lives of individuals and communities. In our teaching, we aim to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging education in psychology that prepares them for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society. Finally, we are committed to providing service to our community and to society as a whole by using our expertise to help individuals and organizations address psychological issues and improve mental health.
Growing up in Qatar, within a close-knit and vibrant Indian community, Jui Baliga developed a deep appreciation for family culture, where traditions and shared values played an important role in shaping her. That contrast sparked her interest in working with children and families and shaped her curiosity about how relationships influence development.
Baliga’s interests eventually led her to Penn State, where the now fourth-year Schreyer Scholar will graduate this spring with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the College of the Liberal Arts and a minor in human development and family studies from the College of Health and Human Development.
The Penn State College of the Liberal Arts has named Cherish Graham, a psychology student and mental health advocate, as the 2026 Schwartz Fellow. This prestigious fellowship recognizes outstanding undergraduates for their academic achievements and contributions to the humanities.
“Being named the Schwartz Fellow is a privilege I didn’t know I needed,” Graham said. “I’m grateful to Professor Eric Silver, whose class and mentorship made me more thoughtful and more curious, and to Amelia Dodoo, whose own 2023 Schwartz Fellowship first opened my eyes to this possibility.”
Mayuri Purani was first introduced to psychology in high school, and since then has been determined to understand how and why people think the way they do to better serve others.
That commitment has served her well at Penn State, where Purani will graduate this spring with a degree in psychology with a business option and certificates in business fundamentals and diversity studies.
Erin Gnall, psychology student, recently served as the supply logistics director for THON 2026.
Alivia Peterson has ably navigated Penn State’s big-campus environment by taking advantage of numerous opportunities that have allowed her to refine her professional skills and forge close-knit personal bonds.
Originally intending to major in kinesiology and pursue athletic training, the Rahway, New Jersey, native and first-generation college student soon discovered her passion extended beyond physical performance to the mental and emotional challenges athletes often face behind the scenes. This led her to change her major to psychology.
Camren Boyogueno, Chaiken Scholar and first-gen student, found “a mentor who felt like family,” and a community in the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success that shaped her Penn State journey. Now, in her fourth year, Boyogueno mentors students who visit the Chaiken Center, transforming her early challenges into opportunities to uplift others.