Psychology Professor, Psychology Major Recognized with Prestigious University Awards

Melissa Whitson, Ph.D., professor and coordinator of the University’s graduate program in community psychology, believes that one of the most important things she has learned over the past 15 years as a member of the Charger community, is that society needs the field of community psychology, and those like it, now more than ever.

To help enrich the growth and discovery of her students – and the impact they will make as professionals – she piloted in her classes the use of participatory-action research, a novel pedological approach rooted in social justice and community involvement that emphasizes active engagement, collaboration, and nonhierarchical relationships to empower others.

“I hope using participatory-action research in the classroom shifts students understanding of how to approach change and empowers them to recognize their expertise and skills in being able to enact that change,” said Dr. Whitson.

Dr. Whitson’s innovative approach to using participatory-action research in her classes led to her receiving the 2024-25 recipient of the Bucknall Teaching in Excellence Award. Created in 2015, the award recognizes exceptional educators for their devotion to helping students excel in and out of the classroom. It provides an honorarium of $15,000 and an additional $10,000 to support the recipient’s new teaching initiatives.

“I love teaching here,” she said. “I get the chance to teach my passion and be part of a community of students, faculty, and community partners who share those values and passions.

“Over the years, the recipients have truly represented what makes the University a special place for faculty to work and for students to learn, grow, and, as Dr. Frederiksen so often says, pursue dreams they didn’t even know that they had.” William L. Bucknall Jr. ’63, ’65, ’08 Hon.

“I love being challenged to grow as a teacher and as a practitioner by my students,” continued Whitson, who co-founded the University’s Community Research and Evaluation Lab and who is also an associate professor adjunct of psychiatry in the Yale School of Medicine. “I love being consistently inspired by their perspectives, passion, and accomplishments. I’m grateful to my colleagues and students for inspiring me to keep learning and growing as an educator and as a person.”

As part of the special event, the 2024-25 Bucknall Family Undergraduate Research or Experiential Learning Award was awarded to psychology major Achilles Atticus Callahan Beumel ’26.

Established in 2019, the award rewards undergraduate students’ outstanding research or experiential learning achievements. It provides a $10,000 prize to each recipient, encouraging students to take on the challenge of in-depth research on important topics.

“This is a great honor, and I appreciate this recognition very much,” said Beumel.

During their 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Beumel undertook a challenging and impactful research project on the Algeria-Morocco border conflict—a topic and region completely foreign to them. Conducting her study in Moroccan and in Arabic, under the guidance of faculty adviser, Halima Belemlih, Ph.D., a distinguished lecturer in the Department of Human Sciences, Beumel developed questionnaires based on validated psychological measures for refugee trauma and distributed them to ten victims affected by the conflict.

Their research included both qualitative and quantitative data analysis and culminated in a scientific presentation, later supplemented with a narrative that captured the harsh realities faced by these individuals, including accounts of gang rape, police brutality, forced expulsions, robbery, murder, and suicide. Despite the sensitive nature of the subject matter, Beumel created a powerful and compassionate presentation within a short timeframe.

“While I went into this project aware of the nature of the subject matter, even I could not begin to imagine the unspeakable horrors that my research would uncover,” said Beumel, who is participating in SURF for the second time this summer.

The Bucknall Awards are supported by William L. Bucknall Jr. ’63, ’65, ’08 Hon., an emeritus member and former chair of the University’s Board of Governors, and his daughters Kristin Loranger and Elise Bucknall.

“Over the years, the recipients have truly represented what makes the University a special place for faculty to work and for students to learn, grow, and, as Dr. Frederiksen so often says, pursue dreams they didn’t even know that they had,” said Bucknall. “Whenever I have spoken to students, they have emphasized the impact that faculty have had on their lives. It is also equally inspiring to see hard-working students immerse themselves in their education, watching their confidence grow as they prepare to make their mark on the world.

“I am pleased that my family can help recognize and reward the awardees each year with funding that supports their goals,” Bucknall continued. “I would like to commend each of the faculty for their commitment and applaud all of the students for their passion for learning. You continue to inspire me and renew my hope for the future.”