The Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Education welcomes new director

Maureen McCarthy, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Austin Peay State University, has joined APA as the new Director of Precollege and Undergraduate Programs. She succeeds former director, Barney Beins, PhD, who resumed his post as professor of psychology at Ithaca College last fall.

Dr. McCarthy has expertise in psychometrics, assessment and research methods, and a longstanding commitment to education in psychology. She has been active in the Psychology Partnerships Project and a leader in APA's Division 2 (Society for the Teaching of Psychology). Dr. McCarthy helped organize the APA/Division 2 Undergraduate Departmental Consulting Service as well as the "Measuring Up: Best Practices in Assessment in Psychology Education," conference, the first national conference on assessment in psychology, held last fall.

In her new role, Dr. McCarthy will have a chance to have a significant impact on psychology through APA's outreach to psychology teachers at all levels, says Beins. Dr. McCarthy will coordinate teaching workshops, represent APA's Education Directorate and the Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Programs at psychology meetings, and work with the higher education community to enhance and innovate the psychology curriculum.

"Her expertise in assessment of undergraduate departments, her considerable work with the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, and her experience at two- and four-year institutions and with high school teachers give her a unique perspective that will permit her to continue the momentum already created in this department," says Beins.

If you wish to contact Dr. Maureen McCarthy.