Social Sciences Archives | ��Ͽ�

��Ͽ� Announces $3M Gift to Create Endowed Deanship

Michael Blankenship — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:38:56 +0000

��Ͽ� announced a $3M gift to create an endowed chair that will be known as the Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education and Behavioral Science. This anonymous gift creates an endowed fund to provide vital resources in perpetuity to support this faculty position.

The deanship honors the life and legacy of Ellen F. Donley, a Houghton alumna from the Class of 1938. Miss Donley (1917-1964) was one of four sisters whose parents had an unusual interest in providing opportunities for spiritual and educational growth. They provided persistent guidance and sacrificial support so that each daughter could attend and graduate from Houghton College (now University). In the words of the donor, “Ellen’s life was an example of a well-rounded life of Christian love, faith, discipline, and commitment to education and serves as an example of the impact that can be made while at Houghton and in the many schools where educators touch lives.”

“I am thankful for the donors’ investment in Houghton and their belief in what God is continuing to do in the lives and careers of our students,” remarked ��Ͽ� President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. “This transformational gift will underwrite the compensation of a key academic and administrative leader at Houghton. This leader will be central to building on Houghton’s rich history and strong foundations in teacher education and behavioral science and ensuring future Houghton graduates in these fields are well-prepared to provide exceptional, Christ-centered service to their eventual students, clients, and employees.”

��Ͽ� has been preparing aspiring educators, education administrators, professors, clinical psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, and related careers since its accreditation as a four-year liberal arts institution over 100 years ago. The School of Education and Behavioral Science offers undergraduate degrees in Adolescence Education, Inclusive Adolescence Education, Inclusive Childhood Education, Psychology, and Behavioral Neuroscience; and graduate degrees in Literacy Education and Adolescent Education. Nearly 20% of the current student body is pursuing a degree offered within the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

“��Ͽ� has long been a leader in teacher education and the behavioral sciences,” stated Provost David Davies ‘01. “Houghton graduates have taught in countless classrooms and led schools with distinction throughout New York State and the region for decades, and our behavioral science programs are among the most established and distinguished in Christian higher education.��This transformative gift acknowledges that history while also positioning the University to reach new levels of excellence in these vital fields.�� Our new Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education and Behavioral Science chair will be an essential member of our academic leadership team, serving on the Deans’ Council and leading some of the largest programs on campus.”

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��Ͽ� is a nationally ranked Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences and New York’s leading evangelical Christian university. Offering over 50 undergraduate programs—including education, equestrian studies, pre-law, and biological sciences—as well as graduate programs in business, education, and music, Houghton commits to both academic excellence and affordability through initiatives like the Founder’s Promise Scholarship. Houghton’s two-year enrollment growth affirms the appeal of Christ-centered education in the Northeast, attracting students eager to transform the world for the glory of God.

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Houghton Professor Publishes Article on Intersection of Faith and Identity

Michael Blankenship — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:08:33 +0000

Hannah Kim, Ph.D., professor of psychology at ��Ͽ�, recently published an article in the , an academic journal that focuses on articles relating to various fields of social sciences. Kim’s article centered on the identities of ��Ͽ� students regarding their faith and by extension Christian college students, exploring the various factors that have influenced and shaped them into the people they have become today.

“As a developmental psychologist specializing in identity development in young people, I held a genuine interest in understanding how our Houghton students perceive their religious identities, the struggles they navigate, and how their faith has developed,” said Kim about the reason behind her research. “Additionally, I sought to explore the impact of these faith factors on their overall identity formation as emerging adults within a Christian liberal arts college environment.”

“[Kim’s] research contributes to a growing understanding of identity development, specific to Christian University students, through their lived experiences rather than generalized from a larger group on mixed subjects,” said Ann Monroe-Baillargeon. “Dr. Kim’s research is essential for all faculty and staff at Christian colleges and universities as they seek to support students in their self-understanding and positive identity development.”

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Alison Young ’07 Reusser Chairs Symposium at Association for Psychological Science Meeting

Michael Blankenship — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 13:34:58 +0000

Alison Young ’07 Reusser, associate professor of psychology, was joined by Lisa Gassin and Kristian Veit from Olivet Nazarene University at the national meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. The three presented their research findings from a three-year research project, supported by a CCCU Networking Grant, on benevolent responses to online toxicity. Houghton professors Jonathan Case and Brandon Bate ’04 also contributed to the research.

Toxic behavior on the internet has become an increasingly prevalent issue. According to Pew Research, 66% of U.S. respondents have witnessed online harassment,1 while 41% have personally experienced it.2 The research team explored whether prosocial and positive responses could help mitigate online toxicity. The study aimed to examine the frequency of benevolent responses to toxic posts on Reddit, the impact of such responses on encouraging others to contribute to the conversation and the perception of individuals who choose to respond benevolently.

The symposium chaired by Alison Young ’07 Reusser provided a platform to share the team’s findings and insights. The study’s results shed light on the importance of fostering a culture of kindness and empathy in online spaces. As the prevalence of online harassment continues to rise, it is crucial to explore strategies that promote healthier and more constructive online interactions. .

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Psychology Students Present Research at Western New York Research Conference

Gabriella Nowak — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:00:42 +0000

Houghton Psychology students showcased their research projects at the at the University at Buffalo on April 13, 2024. The conference featured 40 student posters and 10 oral presentations by students from 12 different institutions, attracting over 150 attendees.

The 12 Houghton students from the spring semester Experimental Methods and Collaborative Research classes gained experience in the complete scientific process during their undergraduate studies, from formulating hypotheses and designing experiments to analyzing and presenting their findings.

“With the replication crisis and open science continuing to be major focuses in psychology and other disciplines, this experience was key to these students’ professional development,” said Alison Young Reusser, associate professor of psychology. “We want our students to be prepared producers and consumers of scientific work in psychology.”

The Western New York ��Ͽ� Psychology Research Conference celebrated the achievements of these talented students and highlighted the importance of fostering a vibrant research community among undergraduate scholars. Among the participating schools were Alfred University, Buffalo State University, Canisius College, D’Youville University, Daemen University, Erie Community College, Hilbert College, ��Ͽ�, Le Moyne College, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Empire State College, and the University at Buffalo. Hannah Kim, assistant professor of psychology at Houghton, also played a crucial role as a faculty judge.

By providing a welcoming environment for undergraduate psychology students to share their research in a professional setting, the event served as a stepping stone for students to transition into larger national conventions.

Poster Presentations

“Choosing Empathy in the Face of Cognitive Costs and Loneliness” presented by Aubree Niles ’24, Rachel Bedell ’26, Clancey Cockle ’26, Tasha Bernard ’28 and Bemnet Haile
“Exploring the Possible Benefits of Cognitive Reappraisal in Relation to Depression, with Socioeconomic Status as a Moderator” presented by Hannah Bretz ’25, Aidan Fish ’25 and Lauren Hildebrand ’26
“Consider the Stars: How Experiences of Awe Impact Humility” presented by Anna Lloyd ’26, Sara Carter ’25, Paola Mercado ’26, Aaron Hinton ’24 and Jeremy Swanson ’25

Oral Presentation

“Kindly Correcting Toxicity: Does It Change Others’ Behavior?” presented by Abigail Wheeler ’24

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Five Students Inducted into Psi Chi Honor Society

Michael Blankenship — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:41:27 +0000

The ��Ͽ� chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, recently welcomed five new members into its ranks. These exceptional students, who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and a deep passion for psychology, bring the total number of chapter members to 192 since its inception in 2003.

This year’s inductees are Clancey Cockle of Fillmore, NY; Aidan Fish of Fairport, NY; Chelsea Hammond of Marathon, NY; Anna Lloyd of Newville, PA; and Megan Sensenig of Vestal, NY.

The following seniors who are members of Psi Chi will graduate on May 11, 2024: Aubree Niles, Emily Porter, Hannah Seow, and Abigail Wheeler.

Psi Chi is the world’s largest student psychological organization, with more than 750,000 members around the globe. It seeks to recognize and promote excellence in the science and application of psychology. ��Ͽ� students who have declared a major or minor in psychology are invited to join Psi Chi when they have completed 36 total college credit hours with a cumulative GPA in the top 35 percent of their class and completed at least nine hours of psychology courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Since its founding in 1929, Psi Chi has grown into one of the world’s largest and most successful honor societies, boasting more than 1,250 chapters. Many of our esteemed members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology and are now renowned research authors, professors, and practitioners.

Psi Chi is a member of the��and is an affiliate of the��(APA) and the��(APS). Our sister honor society is��, the national honor society in psychology for community and junior colleges.

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��Ͽ� Launches New Major in Forensic Science

Michael Blankenship — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:05:47 +0000

��Ͽ�, New York’s leading evangelical Christian university, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new major in Forensic Science. This innovative program combines the natural sciences with criminal investigation, providing students with a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of science, faith and restorative justice.

“Our new Forensic Science program builds on Houghton’s historic strengths in both the natural and social sciences to offer an education that equips students for success in this exciting and growing field,” said David Davies, provost. “These courses, coupled with our innovative humanities and religion courses, will ensure that our graduates have the skills to combine scientific analysis with moral and ethical reasoning to develop critical and creative responses to the range of forensic science issues encountered in today’s world.”

Under the guidance of experienced professors, students will evaluate physical evidence, develop the ability to use quantitative and qualitative tools and delve into the physical and ethical challenges of the criminal justice system.

“Forensic Science program is a natural outgrowth of Houghton’s focused excellence in the natural sciences in combination with our firm Christian foundational pursuit of truth, righteousness, and justice,” explained Ransom Poythress, associate professor of biology.

By combining amazing lab experiences, deep Biblical discussions, and real-world internship opportunities, it’s a perfect major for our students to demonstrate their already nationally recognized critical analysis abilities, high integrity, excellent communication, and Christ-like love.

Ransom Poythress, Associate Professor of Biology

Located less than an hour away from one of New York State’s few crime labs in Olean, NY, Houghton offers students the chance to not only engage in hands-on labs and experiments but also apply for internships in research and crime labs. This proximity to real-world forensic science facilities enhances practical learning experience and prepares students for future careers in the field.

��Ͽ�’s Forensic Science program is now accepting applications for the upcoming academic year. Prospective students interested in pursuing a career at the intersection of science and justice are encouraged to visit the university’s website for more information.

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Houghton Professor Publishes Debut Book

Michael Blankenship — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:42:43 +0000

Last summer, Dr. Torrance Jones, assistant professor of business and criminal justice, published his debut book, titled, .

In his book, Jones suggests five leadership strategies for all aspiring leaders to consider for optimal public engagement in the modern world. Through these strategies, Jones highlights the significance of social identities in professional fields, and how the identities of Black Christians in particular have played a prominent role in their pursuit of executive positions.

��Ͽ� is so fortunate to have a faculty member with the sensitivity, skill, and insight to explore difficult questions involving leadership, race, and faith. I’m pleased to say that whether he is teaching our MBA students or undergraduates, Dr. Jones brings the same level of depth and understanding that he demonstrates in this recent book.

Mark Borchert, Professor of Business and Communication, Dean of Management and Creative Arts

Since the book’s release, Jones has keynoted the 2023 “Until Justice Just Is” event for the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County, New York, as well as hosted his first “In-Store” book signing at the Greece Ridge Center Mall.

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Houghton Students Present at ��Ͽ� Psychology Conference

Michael Blankenship — Thu, 04 May 2023 13:44:59 +0000

On April 15, seventeen Houghton psychology students presented their research at the poster session of the WNY ��Ͽ� Psychology Conference. Each student replicated a published study, receiving feedback from professors and external faculty reviewers before presenting at the conference. This experience allowed students to learn how to defend and explain psychology science through experimental design, as well as the importance of replicating published findings.

At the same conference, two students, Abigail Wheeler ’24 and Arianna Zampella ‘23 presented a collaborative research project on dehumanization in online conversations. The presentation was titled, “Can others’ responses reduce the dehumanization of toxic commenters online? Comparing the impact of four different kinds of replies on animalistic dehumanization.” The two students collaborated with Associate Professor of Psychology, Alison Young Reusser, on the project.

This conference,” said Reusser, “is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their presentation skills, answer questions related to their research, and learn about research performed by students at other schools and in other areas of psychology.

The 4^th annual was held at the University of Buffalo. The goal of the conference is to provide undergraduate psychology students with the opportunity to present their scientific findings at a research meeting. It is specifically designed to be affordable and inviting to undergraduate students and is a great transition to larger national conventions. The conference also provides an opportunity for local students and faculty to meet and network.

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Six Students Inducted Into PSI CHI International Honor Society in Psychology

Michael Blankenship — Tue, 02 May 2023 13:07:54 +0000

The ��Ͽ� chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, recently welcomed six new members into its ranks. These exceptional students bring the total number of chapter members to 187 since its inception in 2003.

This year’s inductees are: Cassidy Kuhlmann of Cary, NC; Bridget Sobolewski of Avon, CT; Evan Kurtz of Charleston, SC; Hannah Seow of Sentani, Papua, Indonesia; Emily Porter of Fulton, NY; and Aubree Niles of Westfield, PA.

The following seniors who are members of Psi Chi will graduate May 13, 2023: Marith Anderson, Laura Bunce, Addysen DiMatteo, Samantha Gorski, Cassidy Kuhlmann; Isabelle Murch; Bridget Sobolewski; Arianna Zampella; and Ian Zon.

Psi Chi is the world’s largest student psychological organization, with more than 750,000 members around the globe. They seek to recognize and promote excellence in the science and application of psychology. ��Ͽ� students who have declared a major or minor in psychology are invited to join Psi Chi when they have completed 36 total college credit hours with a cumulative GPA in the top 35 percent of their class, and completed at least nine hours of psychology courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Since its founding in 1929, Psi Chi has grown into one of the largest and most successful honor societies in the world, boasting more than 1,250 chapters. Many members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology, and are now renowned research authors, professors, and practitioners.

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Houghton Professor of Psychology Publishes Research

Michael Blankenship — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:00:36 +0000

��Ͽ� professor of psychology, Hannah Kim, Ph.D., published new research with Deborah L. Vietze in the American Journal of Qualitative Research, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the social sciences.

Kim and Vietze’s research investigates second-generation Korean American youths and whether their bicultural identity helps them develop resilience to prejudice and discrimination.

Paul Young, dean of education and psychology at Houghton, speaks proudly of Kim’s accomplishment.

Dr. Kim’s article on Biculturalism and Resilience in Korean American Young Adults integrates her expertise in developmental psychology by applying theory to a topic that has been a key part of the Houghton experience–lived connections across cultures.

The results of this study could have significant implications for public health as they provide the opportunity to understand the emotional difficulties and sufferings of youths with minority backgrounds.

“I am committed to research about diversity and inclusion of students from traditionally underrepresented groups,” said Kim. “As a qualitative researcher, I seek to listen to the life stories of ethnic minority youth in the United States to address their struggles and needs so that their voices can be heard.”

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Young Reusser Awarded Prestigious CCCU Initiative Grant��

Michael Blankenship — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 22:01:20 +0000

Dr. Alison Young Reusser, assistant professor of psychology, was recently awarded an ($30,000 over three years) for a collaborative team research project titled “Does Grace to the Undeserving Have Social Costs?” The Initiative Grant supports research projects that bring together professors at two or more Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) institutions. ��

Young Reusser is the project leader for a core research team that includes Olivet Nazarene University psychology faculty members Lisa Gassin and Kristian Veit and ��ǳܲ��ٴǲ�’s own professor of theology Jonathan Case. “Lisa and I heard about the grant opportunity and started talking about any overlap between her research interests (forgiveness) and my own (social psychology of attitudes),” said Young Reusser. “After meeting a few times, we decided to look at benevolence more broadly—and, specifically, how others view us when we act benevolently.” Focusing the project on online discourse, the team plans to use machine learning to investigate benevolent responses on a large scale. “The idea for using machine learning was sparked by a large number of studies in computer science, which emphasize classifying toxic comments as toxic,” continued Young Reusser. “We have a sense for how often online toxicity occurs but not really how often benevolent responses to that toxicity happen.”��

Associate Dean of the Faculty, Cathy Freytag, has applied for this grant in the past— “so I know how involved it is,” Freytag explained. “To be awarded this highly competitive grant on the first try is a really significant accomplishment—and their topic is so timely and relevant in this moment.” ��

Additional faculty members from CCCU institutions will be serving as external consultants for various stages of the project. “We have also asked Dr. Andrew Ledbetter at Texas Christian University, Dr. Cathy Bareiss at Bethel and Dr. Heidi Giannini here at Houghton,” added Young Reusser. “They’ve already proven very helpful! Additionally, we brought on a qualitative research specialist, Danielle Jacques, M.A., who will consult on the focus groups and interviews Lisa Gassin will be conducting.”��

“We congratulate Alison on receiving one of this year’s CCCU networking awards,” said ��Ͽ� President, Shirley Mullen. “These are highly competitive and speak very well of who Dr. Young Reusser is as a scholar and teacher in the context of a Christian liberal arts framework.”��

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Houghton Ranked Among Best in New York State and the Nation by College Factual

Michael Blankenship — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 17:00:50 +0000

��Ͽ� has been ranked as one of the best schools for the money in the U.S. by .

Houghton is ranked #19 out of 1,510 colleges nationwide in the “Best for the Money” ranking. This places Houghton in the top 5% nationally of all colleges reviewed by College Factual for value. Houghton improved its ranking position 17 slots over the previous year’s ranking of 36.

In addition, Houghton is ranked #17 out of 116 colleges in the state of New York for value. This puts Houghton in the top 15% of all schools in the state in the “Best Colleges for the Money” category.

College Factual’s “” ranking takes into account the average yearly cost of the school, the average time students take to graduate and the quality the school provides. This means schools who rank highly are offering a good value for the money that students pay to attend.

Seven individual programs at ��Ͽ� ranked in the top 15% or higher in the “Best for the Money” category.

The Communication program at Houghton is ranked #1 out of 508 programs at colleges and universities in the United States reviewed as “Best for the Money.” This makes ��ǳܲ��ٴǲ�’s Communications program the best of all those at U.S. colleges and universities reviewed by College Factual for value. In addition, ��ǳܲ��ٴǲ�’s Communications program ranked #1 out of 39 colleges in New York for value.

The Music program at Houghton is ranked #3 out of 365 nationally and #1 out of 22 colleges in New York for value.

��ǳܲ��ٴǲ�’s Business Administration program is ranked #86 out of 711 programs at colleges and universities in the United States and #13 out of 49 colleges in the state.

The Psychology program at Houghton is ranked #9 out of 814 and #3 out of 69 colleges in New York.

��ǳܲ��ٴǲ�’s Biology program is ranked #12 out of 803 programs nationwide and #2 out of 66 colleges in New York state for value.

The Fine Arts program at Houghton is ranked #6 out of 501 programs in the U.S. and #3 out of 46 colleges in New York for value.

College Factual, located in Troy, New York, is a leading source of data analytics and insights on college outcomes. It provides in-depth coverage for over 2,500 colleges and universities and over 350 college majors. These insights are available to students from over 200 countries interested in pursuing accredited college degree programs in the United States.

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Nine Students Inducted into Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society

Michael Blankenship — Wed, 16 May 2018 18:23:42 +0000

Nine ��Ͽ� students were recently inducted into the Houghton chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.

Ashley Carroll (senior; Sinclairville, NY), Jamie DelGiorno (senior; East Northport, NY), McKinsey Duquette (senior; Coconut Creek, FL), Nicole Fink (senior; Coudersport, PA), Toby Forward (junior; Morrisville, NY), Daniel Hodge (junior; Painted Post, NY), Thao Nguyen (senior; Houghton, NY), Rachael Sherwood (junior; Port Byron, NY), and Shelby Skinner (senior; Franklinville, NY) were inducted into Psi Chi during a ceremony on April 25, 2018 at ��Ͽ�.

“The psychology department faculty members are all extremely proud of these nine students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and leadership within the field of psychology,” remarks Dr. Bill Burrichter, associate professor and director of counseling services at Houghton. “Their impassioned pursuit of understanding the science and art of psychology has led them to this great honor.”

Psi Chi – the world’s largest student psychological organization, with more than 750,000 members around the globe – was founded in 1929 with the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, as well as advancing the science of psychology. Many members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology, including presidents of the American Psychological Association (APA) and American Psychological Society (APS) and other renowned research authors, professors, and practitioners. Psi Chi has grown into one of the largest and most successful honor societies in the world, with more than 1,000 chapters.

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Social Sciences Archives | ���Ͽ�

���Ͽ� Announces $3M Gift to Create Endowed Deanship

���Ͽ� ���Ͽ�