Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, was founded in 1929 with a mission to encourage excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. More than three-quarters of a million lifetime members have joined in this worthwhile cause including Distinguished Members such as Drs. Albert Bandura, B. F. Skinner, and Phillip Zimbardo. A few popular Membership Benefits include international recognition for academic excellence, as well as access to three publications and more than $400,000 in annual awards and grants.
The Rutgers University-Newark chapter of Psi Chi invites you to apply for membership. Membership is dependent upon class standing and academic achievement. Membership is a lifetime honor, and our members enjoy an array of benefits. Membership is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, transfer students, full-time faculty members, and alumni who graduated before our chapter was reinstated in 2016.
To apply for membership, please visit the Psi Chi website:
Applications are reviewed and new members are inducted every Spring semester. In the meantime, please join us for our fun and educational events this semester:
Graduate School Panel – Wednesday, September 26 at 2:30 p.m. – Smith 371A (Fishbowl)
Current graduate students and Rutgers-Newark alumni will share everything you always wanted to know about graduate school. Learn more about the different types of graduate programs available to you upon graduation, get inside information on applying, and ask any question that you’ve been wanting to know the answer to!
Community Engagement Day – Saturday, October 27, 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join Psi Chi and make your community a better place! This is your chance to join the RU-N community and help those around us!
Psychology Fair – Wednesday, November 28 at 2:30 p.m. – Smith 371A and Smith 322 (Fishbowl and Commons)
Speak to a representative from all of the psychology labs at Rutgers-Newark, hear about the research they are conducting, and find out how you can get involved! Learn more about all of the opportunities available to you as a Psychology student, such as the Psychiatric Rehabilitation program, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, the combined BA/MA program, the new Cognitive Neuroscience minor, and the new Youth Development and Juvenile Justice minor! Be sure to attend as early in your college career as possible!
Destress Fest – Finals Week
Take a break from finals and color your stress away. This year, we will be coloring holiday cards for the military! Stay tuned for our time and location.
MEMBER INFORMATION
Member meetings take place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 2:30 – 3:50 p.m. Please join us and get involved in planning our upcoming events, getting to know other members, and exploring the field of psychology!
Members are required to attend a minimum of 2 events (meeting, community service, and/or educational event) every semester; however, we want to see you at all of our events this year! We have some great things planned; please join us!
MEET THE TEAM
President, Jessica Bowen:
Hello, friends! My name is Jess Bowen, President of RU-N Psi Chi. A little bit about me, I am a rising senior in the accelerated BA/MA Program in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience. I am working towards becoming a clinical psychologist, perhaps for military personnel. Briefly, the scope of my research involves the exploration of mindfulness and self-compassion across adult attachment styles. Some fun bits about me are that I like to hike, take pictures and travel the world. Also, my favorite sweets are cookies, fruit snacks (preferably Welch's) and Rolos (but not necessarily in that order). What are yours?? Lastly, I just want to say how excited I am to begin to work with you guys this year! The officers and I have a lot in store to advance #runpsichi and we'd like you all to be apart of it. Looking forward to an AWESOME year!!! Sincerely, Jess Bowen 🌻
Vice-President, Brittney Frankson:
Hello all! My name is Brittney Frankson, Vice President of RU-N Psi Chi. I am a currently a senior majoring in both psychology and political science. My future goal is to be a Forensic Psychologist. Fun fact about me I love reading, binge watching series, and discovering new music. I am looking forward to working with and learning from everyone. Respectfully, Brittney Frankson 🌟
Secretary, Jema Luna:
Hello! My name is Jema Luna, Secretary of RU-N Psi Chi. I am now a senior dual majoring in psychiatric rehabilitation and psychology. For the future, I aim to become a clinical psychologist, but am open to experiencing all the different aspects psychology has to offer. A fun fact about me is that I love exploring and learning more about the world with one photo and one delicious meal plus dessert at a time. Can’t wait to work with everybody and I am definitely excited to be involved with what is in store for our organization this upcoming academic year! See you all soon! - Jema Luna 🐢
Treasurer, Claudia Pinzon:
My name is Claudia Pinzon, and I'll be your treasurer this year. A little about me: I am entering my first year in the BA/MA program this fall, which I am very excited about. I am working on research about implicit attitudes towards undocumented students. Something fun about me... I enjoy kickboxing, writing, watching movies (just went to see the Incredibles 2 movie), and traveling. I am also looking forward to working with you guys this semester, as the RU-N Psi Chi Treasurer. Can't wait to hear about the rest of you and to meet you all in person in the near future. -Claudia Pinzon ☀
Faculty Advisor, Christina Zambrano-Varghese:
Hi everyone, I am so excited to be the Faculty Advisor of Psi Chi! I joined Psi Chi when I was an undergraduate at Caldwell University, where I majored in Psychology and minored in Spanish and Art. This was just the beginning of my love for the field of Psychology. I then received my Ed.M. and M.A. degrees in Psychological Counseling and later my Ph.D. in Psychology. After spending a couple of years working as a Mental Health Counselor, I felt called to teach psychology and I continue to feel so lucky to have the opportunity to work with all of the amazing students at RU-N. I have 2 young daughters, who can’t wait to join Psi Chi when they grow up! I’m really looking forward to an amazing academic year, and can’t wait to work with all of you. – Dr. Z Ψ
WHAT WE DO
Psi Chi had tons of fun last year during our inaugural academic year! Check out some of our favorite events:
- Rutgers Day, 2018
- Destress Fest
- Graduate School Panel
- Induction Ceremony
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I become a member of Psi Chi?
Undergraduate students
- be enrolled as a major or minor in a psychology program or a program psychological in nature
- have completed at least 3 semesters or equivalent of full-time college coursework
- have completed at least 9 semester credit hours or equivalent of psychology courses
- have earned a cumulative GPA that is in the top 35% of their class (sophomore, junior, or senior) compared to their classmates across the entire university or the college that houses psychology (minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale)3
- have a minimum 3.5 GPA average for psychology courses
Graduate students
- be accepted into and enrolled in a psychology or closely related graduate program
- have completed at least 9 semester credit hours of graduate psychology courses in that program
- have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in all graduate courses including psychology courses
- meet their graduate program requirements (e.g., if specific courses require an A or B, students must meet those requirements even if their cumulative GPA is above 3.0)
Transfer students
- follow the same requirements as the undergraduate student applicants
- complete at least 12 semester credit hours or equivalent at the new institution unless the chapter's bylaws specify fewer hours—check with your local chapter
Transfer students who are already members of Psi Chi
- may select to contact the Psi Chi faculty advisor at the new institution to complete an online transfer of membership form
Can I participate in events even if I am not a member of Psi Chi?
YES!!! Anyone can participate in events hosted by Psi Chi, even if you are not a member. People from any major or minor can join us! We look forward to seeing you at our events. J
How much does it cost?
You will pay a one-time membership fee of $65. This grants you lifetime membership in Psi Chi. There are no dues collected after this one-time fee.
What if I can't afford my membership dues?
We offer two scholarships each year, based upon financial need. You can contact Dr. Zambrano-Varghese for more information at runpsichi@gmail.com.
Does my membership expire?
No, membership in Psi Chi does not expire. You will be inducted into this honor society as a lifetime member.
Can I transfer my membership if I change schools?
Yes, existing members can transfer to another chapter with the approval of the Psi Chi faculty advisor at the new school. If you transferred, reach out to Dr. Zambrano-Varghese.
Can I be a member if I’ve already graduated?
Because Psi Chi is an honor society, admission is based on scholastic achievement. Therefore, in most instances, the answer is no. However, the Rutgers-Newark chapter of Psi Chi was inactive for 10 years. If you graduated before 2016 and would like to join, please apply and email an unofficial copy of your transcripts to runpsichi@gmail.com.
What if I have other questions?
Please contact us! You can reach us at RUNpsichi@gmail.com , find us on Facebook at RU-N Psi Chi, or follow us on Instagram at @runpsichi