Blinn College psychology honor society chapter receives national award

Blinn’s Psi Beta chapter was one of just 10 nationwide to earn the 2025-26 Chapter Excellence Award

September 4, 2026

The Blinn College District chapter of the Psi Beta psychology honor society has earned national recognition for providing students with exceptional opportunities in leadership, scholarship, community service, and research.

Blinn was one of just 10 Psi Beta chapters among 141 nationwide to receive the organization’s Chapter Excellence Award for the 2025-26 academic year.

“Being recognized with the Chapter Excellence Award is a tremendous accomplishment for our students,” said Psi Beta co-advisor and Blinn professor Dr. Katherine Wickes. “This recognition is a direct result of their dedication to research and other opportunities that have allowed them to develop skills that will serve them well as they continue their education and pursue their careers. Psychology goes beyond the classroom, and our Psi Beta students embrace this perspective through their scholarship and commitment to community service.”

Psi Beta is the national psychology honor society for students attending two-year colleges. Its Chapter Excellence Award recognizes chapters that meet or exceed Psi Beta’s standards across all four pillars of its mission: leadership, scholarship, community service, and research.

During the past academic year, Blinn Psi Beta students expanded their understanding of psychology through guest lectures and library research, participated in leadership training, volunteered with organizations including Habitat for Humanity, and participated in Blinn engagement events.

Students also completed a year-long undergraduate research project that was accepted for presentation at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association (APA) in Washington, D.C.

Blinn students Milla Shanklin, Triton Gossett, and Joshua Schroeder presented their original research at the APA convention, accompanied by Psychology Club sponsor and Blinn Instructor Dr. Marcia Jackson. The students also received Psi Beta recognition for having their research accepted for presentation at the national convention.

Their research examined the potential benefits and drawbacks of college students using artificial intelligence (AI) as a support system compared with assistance from family and friends.

“Psi Beta gives students an opportunity to distinguish themselves while they are at Blinn,” Wickes said. “Few undergraduate students get to participate in research conferences like APA. The combination of leadership, service, and research opportunities that our students are exposed to is invaluable. They are building professional networks and gaining experiences that can help them take the next steps in their education and careers.”

Students who participate in Blinn’s Psi Beta and undergraduate research programs have continued their education in a variety of graduate and professional fields, including psychology, business, nursing, and medicine.

Blinn’s Psychology Program offers Associate of Science and Associate of Arts degrees in psychology, and students can complete the degrees online or in-person at five Blinn campuses.

Through the RELLIS Academic Alliance, Blinn psychology students can pursue their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Bachelor of Science in Health Science from West Texas A&M University, or their Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Tarleton State University. All three bachelor’s degree programs are offered at Texas A&M-RELLIS in Bryan.

Through the Clear Affordable Pathways to Success (CAPS) Program offered in partnership with Texas A&M University-Victoria, psychology students can earn their Associate of Arts in Psychology from Blinn and their Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M-Victoria.

To learn more about Blinn’s psychology degree offerings and partnerships, visit www.blinn.edu/psychology.

About the Blinn College District

With innovative programs and award-winning co-enrollment partnerships, Blinn’s academic transfer rate ranks No. 1 among Texas community colleges. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.