Psi Chi is the largest student psychological organization in the world. The International Honor Society in Psychology, Psi Chi boasts more than 800,000 lifetime members since its founding in 1929. Psi Chi also invests directly back to its members. On a typical year, Psi Chi awards $400,000 in chapter awards, research grants, and scholarships to both faculty and student members. In 2020, impacted by COVID-19, the Psi Chi board of directors made choices to limit some funding that usually also includes travel grants for conventions. However, programs are still being administered despite the impact caused by COVID-19.
Although some cuts were made due to COVID-19, Psi Chi awarded the full amount of its scholarships last year: eight, $3,000 undergraduate scholarships and eight, $3,000 graduate scholarships. Important changes were made to research grants as well, in response to student need. Now, students who present special need can request funding assistance for living expenses, as well. Dr. Lindsey Root Luna of Hope College, Psi Chi’s grant committee chair says, “I’m thrilled about the support Psi Chi is intentionally offering to our minoritized and under-resourced students.”
In March 2020, the Psi Chi board of directors created the Psi Chi COVID-19 Member Support Fundopens in new window. This fund directly benefits students who have been adversely affected by COVID-19. So far, the fund has supported graduating students with free honor cords, and we have inducted 26 students who might not otherwise have been able to afford the $55 cost of a Psi Chi membership. This is in addition to the usual 100 free memberships that are awarded yearly via the Psi Chi Membership Assistance Fund.
The Psi Chi COVID-19 Member Support Fund has in part also supported our newest grants, Chapter Activity Grants. Chapter Activity Grants are intended to facilitate scholarly pursuits, member development, and chapter experiences of Psi Chi's members and chapters. Psi Chi Chapter Activity Grants provide funds for Psi Chi chapters to host student-organized activities aligning with Psi Chi's mission and purpose, which would not otherwise be possible.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on students, the Psi Chi board of directors approved the use of the Psi Chi COVID-19 Member Support Fund for an additional round of Chapter Activity Grants to help support Psi Chi chapters while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Eight chapters were awarded grants in this additional round as provided by the Psi Chi COVID-19 Member Support Fund.
In the last year, Psi Chi has sought donations to support the Psi Chi COVID-19 Member Support Fund and has agreed to match funds raised to further help students. Also, last fall the Psi Chi Chapter Challenge, a fundraiser in which chapters fundraise as a team, raised funds to support the Psi Chi COVID-19 Member Support Fund. The Chapter Challenge, now in its fourth run, was designed to encourage philanthropy within Psi Chi chapters and to provide a leadership opportunity for chapter officers. Many chapters find participating in the Chapter Challenge to be a team-building effort. And many chapters have shown interest in “paying it forward” to fellow students.
Further, this year, 44 chapters were awarded Psi Chi Model Chapter Awards. This annual award was created to recognize, designate, and reward healthy and active chapters who demonstrate communication and cooperation with their local communities, their own members, and the Psi Chi Central Office by completing nine objectives, which include inducting new members, voting in the annual Psi Chi elections, submitting chapter activity, among other annual chapter responsibilities. Chapters are eligible to receive this award every year. We continue to see many chapters who receive this designation year after year, showing their commitment to excellence.
Psi Chi continues to show its commitment to student members of all backgrounds through its pledge to the Psi Chi/Inez Beverly Prosser Scholarship for Women of Coloropens in new window. A fundraising committee, supported by Psi Chi staff, is seeking to raise $50,000. Once that amount is raised, Psi Chi will match the amount to fully endow the scholarship for generations to come. The scholarship will be awarded annually. Already, 36% of the initial $50,000 goal has been raised. Psi Chi remains committed to diversity in all aspects of its membership, and we very much look forward to the day when we can congratulate the scholarship’s first recipient.
Finally, in an effort to facilitate chapter activities during COVID-19, Psi Chi developed the Psi Chi Virtual Induction Ceremony and the Virtual Graduation Ceremony. Many Psi Chi Chapters have taken advantage of these virtual options during the pandemic. And on several occasions, Psi Chi board members and Psi Chi’s executive director, Martha S. Zlokovich, PhD, were able to take part.
2020 provided unique challenges for both students and faculty of psychology. Psi Chi has continued to work hard to both anticipate and meet those needs with practical solutions. Psi Chi knows what makes us special as a society is our members. We remain focused on providing resources to members in order to help them be successful students and successfully enter the workforce. Despite the pandemic, the Psi Chi board of directors pivoted to address a changing landscape and Psi Chi staff, who are still working remotely, have worked tirelessly to support members and chapters. We are fortunate as an organization to continue to be able to support our members. It is the Psi Chi mission to both recognize and promote excellence in psychology. Looking ahead, we see that commitment to our mission continuing to go strong. And we see our members continuing to excel.
To learn more about student opportunities with Psi Chi, please visit the Psi Chi websiteopens in new window.
About the author
Cynthia Wilson, PhD, is the director of membership and development with Psi Chi’s Central Office. During COVID-19 Cynthia has worked remotely and shares her home office with her cat, Mathilda, who occasionally shows up for Zoom meetings. Cynthia is a nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience in leadership and fundraising. She holds a master’s in public administration from Valdosta State University and has the distinction of being a certified fund raising professional.
