Department of Psychology

Department of Psychology Mission Statement 

The mission of the Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology is to engage in teaching, scholarship, and service, in order to promote and advance understanding of the science of psychology, its application, and its utility to our students, fellow scholars, the University, and the public.

Department of Psychology Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement 

The faculty and staff of the Department of Psychology reject injustice and inequity, and we are committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive community that welcomes, respects, and supports everyone, including those from underrepresented and marginalized groups. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to building and maintaining an environment that fosters academic excellence, professional development, and personal growth. We recognize the inherent value and dignity of each person, and we value the diversity of human behavior and experience and how individual and group differences shape attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors.

Our commitment to inclusion and equity enhances the missions of the Department of Psychology and the University by fostering engaging and enlightened teaching, encouraging rigorous and impactful research and service, and promoting collegial and equitable relationships. To these ends, we commit to:

• Cultivating an inclusive departmental community that values diverse perspectives and nurtures people with varied identities and experiences
• Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff with a range of identities and experiences, particularly those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
• Recruiting and retaining, supporting and advocating for students with a range of identities and experiences, particularly those from underrepresented and marginalized groups
• Promoting teaching, research, scholarship, and practice that recognize and highlight the centrality of diversity in our understanding of human behavior
• Using psychological research to proactively address issues related to diversity, inclusion, and equity, through partnerships across our campus and the broader community
• Creating and enacting Departmental policies, structures, and practices to ensure representation, inclusion, and equity