Psychology Student Leah Slawinowski Awarded Departmental Honors

2017 May 2

Fifteen high-achieving psychology students from Eastern Connecticut State University were awarded Departmental Honors on April 24 at the Psychology Honors Night and Psi Chi Induction Ceremony. Thirteen more students were awarded High Distinction and two others with the award of Highest Distinction.

Leah Slawinowski '17 of Durham was one of the students awarded Highest Distinction Departmental Honors. The award was presented by Carlos Escoto, chair of the Psychology Department.

"My time at Eastern as both a psychology and early childhood education major has exposed me to so many wonderful and unique opportunities," said Slawinowski. "The hard work and dedication of my professors has prepared me well for the next chapter in my life as a teacher. It is easy to be successful in a department where the faculty are so caring and supportive of their students."

Students awarded High Distinction must complete Statistics and Research Methods I courses with a grade of A- or higher, maintain a GPA of a 3.5 or higher within the Psychology major as well as an overall GPA of a 3.5 or higher, complete an independent study, teaching assistantship or research assistantship, and present a first-author/co-author research project at CSU Psychology Day.

Students awarded Highest Distinction must satisfy the aforementioned criteria in addition to scoring at the 80th percentile or higher on the pre-graduate exit exam and present their research at a state, regional or national conference.

"The Departmental honors provided by Psychological Sciences recognize the best of the best among our graduates," said psychology professor Peter Bachiochi. "These 15 students embody the qualities of academic excellence and commitment to research that are hallmarks of our department and our field."