Roanoke College Psychology Department

Category: Community Engagement

  • Volunteer Opportunity with Conversations to Remember: Free, Virtual, and Meaningful

    Conversations to Remember is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated towards combating loneliness and isolation felt by senior citizens. The organization has created a virtual visit program which 2-3 college students with residents of long-term care, assisted living, and memory care communities for virtual video visits.

    These residents have been suffering from isolation, and you could really brighten their days just by speaking with them. Conversations to Remember provides training and support throughout your service. Since these visits are virtual, you can do it without any travel! This is both convenient, and allows more of your valuable time to be spent volunteering, rather than commuting to the volunteering location. This program is offered free of charge to seniors across the country, and there are active student volunteers from around the country as well.

    Typically, you will volunteer 1-2 hours per week. Each call lasts up to one hour, based on the senior’s attention span and mood on each day. Conversations to Remember expects students to volunteer for approximately 16 weeks, so that you can build a friendship with the senior. This does not need to coincide with the start of a semester, as new seniors start all the time, and new volunteers are trained weekly. Volunteers are matched based on the times that they’re available, with a senior who is available at the same time, and they will have a regular, weekly appointment for their visit. Students wishing for more visits or other opportunities that allow them to volunteer more frequently can be accommodated with different ways to volunteer, such as assisting us with the organization’s social media, call support, or outreach.

    Please feel free to look through the organization’s website here. You can register to volunteer by filling out a volunteer interest form here.

    Get Connected!

    Blog: https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Twitter: @RC_Psychology
    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website: https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology
    Instagram: rcpsychology

  • Explore & Grow at Camp Easterseals! 🌟

    Looking for a transformative experience in the realm of psychology and human development? Welcome to Camp Easterseals, located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains near Roanoke, Virginia. It’s more than just a camp; it’s a hub for personal and professional growth, catering to children and adults with diverse disabilities.

     Camp Easterseals Staff Brochur1.pdf

    A Unique Learning Opportunity 📘

    Camp Easterseals is a sanctuary of learning, fun, and connections, where students interested in psychology can gain invaluable hands-on experience by serving people with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, enriching their understanding of human spirit and behavior.

    Upcoming Event: Halloween-Themed Weekend 🎃

    Join us from October 27th to 29th, 2023, for a Halloween-themed weekend filled with activities like horseback riding, archery, arts and crafts, and dancing! We’re inviting volunteers and staff to be a part of this joyful journey and help us create unforgettable experiences for our campers.

    Why Join Us? 🌿

    – Experience life-changing insights and personal growth.

    – Gain practical exposure and embellish your resume.

    – Forge lasting bonds and create cherished memories.

    – Receive comprehensive training and earn letters of recommendation.

    Camp Easterseals is not just about learning; it’s about experiencing the joy of making a difference and embarking on a journey of self-discovery and professional development. Join us and be a part of a world where compassion meets fun, and learning meets fulfillment.

    Here is the link to the weekend staff application (it pays!) if anyone is interested. 
    ^link in case the hyperlink doesn’t work: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/EAS1015EUCP/JobBoard/0f0249a6-0416-453f-b54d-24dda355daf1/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=832ded22-cf3f-4ab7-9cda-a275f6d04165&sourceId=cc194bec-a059-4034-bc14-2ec5a81d18b9 

    Get Connected!

    Blog: https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Twitter: @RC_Psychology
    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website: https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology
    Instagram: rcpsychology

  • Upcoming RC Events!

    Thinking of ways to gain more knowledge on important issues and topics outside of the classroom? Say less. Roanoke College offers many amazing events each week for all students and faculty to attend!

    This week, Oct 4-9, Roanoke is holding several Zoom, and in-person events and talks. On Tuesday, Oct 5, there will be an Elderscholar Program, “What’s in a statue? Notes on the Roanoke Country confederate memorial” led by Dr. Robert Willingham from 12 PM – 1:15 PM. On Wednesday from 12 PM – 1:15 PM, the Eldershcolar Program will be hosting another talk, “Writing Your Story” by Ms. Mary Crockett Hill. Also on Wednesday from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, there will be an informative talk on Covid-19 titled “Ask the Epidemiologist.” Alumni Ashley Briggs ‘13 and her colleagues will host a Zoom discussion on the impact and experiences throughout the pandemic. 

    These are just a few examples of upcoming events. For more information, visit https://www.roanoke.edu/events.

    Get out and learn!

  • Dr. FVN Speaks on Bullying and Teenage Aggression at Andrew Lewis Middle School

    Dr. Findley-Van Nostrand was recently able to speak  to teachers and students at Andrew Lewis Middle School about bullying and teenage aggression as part of a guest speaker series called “One Book, One School Community.”

    As part of a statement, Dr. FVN said:

    On Friday, March 29, I spoke to Andrew Lewis Middle School (here in Salem) students and teachers about adolescent aggression and bullying. I was invited to be a speaker as a part of their “one book one school” program. I addressed research on non-traditional forms of bullying, consequences of bullying (for victims, bullies, and others exposed to but not directly involved), individual differences in adolescent aggression, and several common misconceptions about bullying and aggression. Students had great questions and hopefully learned a thing or two!

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    Get Connected!

    Blog: https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Twitter: @RC_Psychology
    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website: https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology
    Instagram: rcpsychology

  • Pie a Prof 2019

    Do you want revenge on your professors? Maybe you just like a bit of fun. Quite possibly, you even like raising money for a good cause.

    If any of the above apply to you, then take heed! April 11th at 4 pm on Colket Patio you will get to see 9, yes 9, of our esteemed psych professors get a pie in their face! The kicker? You could be the one that delivers it!

    So all professors will be pied regardless, but like last year, the professor with the most donations in their name will get a giant pie. If you make a donation of at least $5, you will get to personally pie the professor of your choice. Instead of one charity this year, there will be 3 charities with each professor being assigned to a team. The team with the most money overall has the profits donated to their charity.

    Whether you donate based on professor or charity, revenge or generosity, we hope to see you there! Cash donations can be made to the lock box on the 5th floor and Venmo can be sent to @rcpsych! We will also be tabling in Colket the week prior.

    Team 1: Brain Injury Services of SWVA

    • Dr. Wetmore
    • Dr. Buchholz
    • Dr. Allen

    Team 2: St. Francis Service Dogs

    • Dr. Osterman
    • Dr. Hilton
    • Dr. Nichols

    Team 3: Children’s Trust

    • Dr. Powell
    • Dr. FVN
    • Dr. Carter

    If you have any questions, please contact Cody Dillon-Owens, president of Psi Chi.

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    Get Connected!

    Blog: https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Twitter: @RC_Psychology

    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website: https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

    Instagram: rcpsychology

  • Out of the Darkness: A Recap

    On Saturday, October 6th, beginning at 11 am, the community walked in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). There were more intrinsic reasons, of course, for their choice to walk; these were often reflected in the different colored necklaces participants hung around their necks, each representing something important to them.

    Out of Darkness Recap Video

    Members of Psi Chi and RCPA were there, representing the college and their respective organizations. Professors were there to show their support as well.

    Overall, it was a successful event and we look forward to participating in the years to follow.

    To learn more about the Out of the Darkness Community Walks, then follow this link to go to their main site. You can also follow this link to find out how to ‘Seize the     Awkward’, a campaign led in partnership between the AFSP, The Jed Foundation, and the Ad Council.

    If you need to talk to someone or know of someone in crisis,  please call the  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line with the message ‘HOME’ to 741741.

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    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC @RC_Psychology
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Mental Health in Rural Appalachia

    Dr. Dane Hilton will be discussing mental health in rural Appalachia tomorrow (Wednesday, October 3rd) at 7:00 pm in Life Science 502.  Specifically, in terms of prevalent mental health diagnoses and problems with accessibility to treatment in these areas.

    This talk is sponsored by the Roanoke College Honors Program.

    All are welcome.

    Hope to see you there!

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    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC @RC_Psychology
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Roanoke College Featured in “Eye on Psi Chi Fall 2018”

    Click on the image to be taken directly to the PDF version of the magazine.

    Roanoke College’s Psi Chi chapter was recently featured in the latest edition of Eye on Psi Chi, the official International Honors Society’s magazine.

    In this Fall 2018 edition, all chapters throughout the country were able to share their accomplishments from the previous semester. These categories include: Community Service, Convention/Conference, Fundraising, Induction Ceremony, Meeting/Speaker Event, Recruitment, and Social Events.

    For Roanoke’s Psi Chi chapter, we had thirty-four new members inducted in the spring.

    We also had two major fund-raisers: Psy-Dye and Pie a Prof, with the latter earning around $550.00 in proceeds to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

    A special feature on Pie a Prof will be coming soon, with pictures and videos included of that fateful day.

    Congrats Psi Chi for being featured and thank you for all of your hard work! We are proud and look forward to seeing what you do in the future.

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    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC @RC_Psychology
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Out of the Darkness: Suicide Prevention Walk 2018

    Open to the Roanoke/Salem/New River Valley community, the Out of the Darkness: Suicide Prevention Walk will commence at 11 am on Saturday, October 6, 2018, starting at the Cregger Center.

    Registration/Check-in begins at 10 am. 

    This is the fourth year that Roanoke College has hosted the Suicide Prevention Walk. Last year, psychology professors and students, including representatives of Psi Chi and RCPA, supported the event by volunteering and/or walking.

    If you are interested in attending the event, then please register here. You can also donate through the link, which takes you to our team’s page. So far, we’ve raised $75, with our goal being $100.

    We would love to have you join us in support of the Out of the Darkness Community Walk!

     

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC @RC_Psychology
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology

  • Pie a Prof!

    It’s that time of the year!

    Stop by the table outside of Colket or by the box in the hallway of the 5th floor to choose your victim(s) to get pied! The professor with the most money in their jar will get a special pie, with sprinkles.

    All proceeds will go to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

    Hope to see you there!

    Get connected!
    Instagram & Twitter:  #PsychRC @RC_Psychology
    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcpsychology
    Blog:  https://psych.pages.roanoke.edu/
    Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/RC-Psychology-8140491/about
    Website:  https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/psychology