Club Spotlight: Psychology Club - The Rider Newspaper

Shown are psychology club officers Roel Villareal (from left), treasurer; Jazlynn Richie, event coordinator; Itzel Rodriguez, public relations; Angel Reyna, president; Kassandra Flores, vice president; Abigail Godinez-Alcantar, historian; Casandra Flores, secretary; and Emmanuel Arevalo, member liaison.
PHOTO COURTESY KASSANDRA FLORES

The Psychology Club is a student-run organization dedicated to helping students explore psychology while also providing academic, professional and personal support, according to Kassandra Flores, the club’s vice president.

Flores added the organization serves as a space where students can learn about research opportunities, internships and career paths, while also connecting with peers across different majors.

“We want to help everybody,” she said. “When I started … I didn’t know what a research lab was, and I didn’t know what an internship was. We want this to be a space to say, ‘Hey, this is what you need; this is what you can do. I can help you out.’”

Flores said membership has grown rapidly, with more than 50 active participants this semester. The club meets at 3:30 p.m. every other Thursday, offering activities, guest panels, and information sessions. Upcoming meetings will feature graduate student speakers and a research fair.

To join, students can attend a meeting and pay a $15 membership fee per semester. Fees are not required for those checking out meetings, but those who remain active for at least two semesters will receive a graduation stole.

While psychology is the club’s focus, it welcomes students of all majors. Meetings include icebreakers, games, movie nights and professional panels, while larger events, such as the Sept. 29 research fair at noon in the University Ballroom on the Edinburg campus, give students access to faculty, research labs and graduate resources.

“We hope to leave the impression that we’re actually helpful around here,” Flores said. “A lot of people think psychology is not a science, or not important, but it really is. We hope every time [students] go [to meetings] they actually look forward to it.”

For more information, students can find the Psychology Club on V Link or attend an upcoming meeting.