Psychology professor one of five in state selected for Emerging Leaders Program

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Assistant Professor of Psychology Shannon Deets, Ph.D., is one of five psychology professionals and the only one with clinical and academic experiences chosen for the Emerging Leaders Program of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association.

The program included training in leadership styles, a discussion of the administrative structure of the Association, a meeting with the board of directors and work with a mentor to begin a research project. Deets was inaugurated on Sept. 17 in Harrisburg and will also travel twice more to Harrisburg to undertake additional leadership training designed to prepare her for active participation in leadership roles within the PPA. Individuals were identified as emerging leaders in a selective process overseen by the PPA Leadership Development Committee.

“I’m thrilled to be involved with the program,” Deets said. “It will give me the opportunity to collaboratively research diverse professionals within the field of psychology with a former president of the PPA. This program creates networking opportunities to meet with current leaders in the field. I’m also hopeful that through this endeavor I can engage in some exciting work with students on the project as part of the program.”

Members of the program will receive training in leadership through specific workshops and exposure to current psychology leaders within Pennsylvania. Dianne Salter, Ph.D.—a past president of the PPA and a member on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Psychological Foundation—will serve as a mentor to Deets. As part of this year-long program Deets will complete a qualitative study exploring underrepresented populations in psychology and will present her findings at the PPA convention in June 2017.

 Deets received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Allegheny College, a master’s in community counseling from Gannon University, and a Ph.D. from Gannon University in counseling psychology. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Pennsylvania and a certified dancing mindfulness facilitator. Deets continues to research, write, and present her work on therapeutic applications of consciousness and dance.

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• Deets joins Department of Psychology as tenure track faculty member (September 9, 2015)