Pacific University

News and Stories | Psychology

A lifelong desire to uplift those around her led Rochelle Vidinha '89 to a career of helping others through Hawai'i's criminal justice system.

Island Receives Alliance Grant For Northwest Sea Otter Survey

The $12,000 grant reboots a study on Washington sea otter populations to aid in plans to reintroduce the species to the Oregon Coast.

Three students work at a table in the Boxer Makerspace.

Fighting Disability Bias Through Purposeful Board Game Design

In a psychology of games class, Pacific students collaborated to create Crusaders for Change, a board game designed to challenge disability stereotypes, promote empathy, and celebrate diverse strengths.

Cynthia Brown, Assistant Professor of Graduate Psychology

Pacific Professor Investigating New Tools For Autistic Youth

Thanks to a $22,000 American Psychological Foundation grant, Cynthia Brown will investigate the benefits of multisystemic therapy for autistic youth.

Youth Movement: Eddie Carrillo '15, MA '17 Cares For The Next Generation

One of the Pacific University Alumni Association's Emerging Leader Award winners, Carrillo aims to meet youth where they are at Oregon's Sherwood High School to identify their mental health needs.

Psychology Professor Erica Kleinknecht Named Teacher of the Year by Western Psychological Association

Pacific University Professor Erica Kleinknecht, who teaches undergraduate psychology, has been awarded the Western Psychological Association’s Outstanding Teaching Award. The award was conferred April 28, 2023 at the association’s annual convention in Riverside, Calif.

Gustavo Morales, Pacific University Class of 2012

Gustavo Morales '12 Cares for Underrepresented People

Recognizing needs in his community, Gustavo Morales '12 is the inaugural executive director of Euvalcree, an Eastern-Oregon nonprofit serving the Latinx community.

Carl Boeck '75 Enlisted More Than 25 Years After Graduating, Then Delivered the Gift of Vision Around the Globe

Pacific University Alumnus Carl Boeck '75 enlisted after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and went on to deliver the gift of sight to people in places around the world where the military was conducting civil affairs work.

'I Have Loved Dancing Here at Pacific'

Lianda Lonergan '21 is a member of the Pacific Dance Ensemble stying dance, exercise science and more, as she plans a career in physical therapy and preventative medicine for dancers.

Student Reflects on Military Service, Life Lessons Learned, and His Future on Veterans Day

For Chris Walker ’21, MA '23, Nov. 11 is more than just his birthday — it is also a time to remember his nearly six years of service in the United States Marine Corps. Read about his experience in Afghanistan, and at Pacific University.

Groundbreaking Faculty Member Anna Berliner Was An Anthropologist, Sociologist, Optometrist

One of the most insightful thinkers and teachers ever to be employed at Pacific was Anna Berliner, a psychologist by title, but also an anthropologist, sociologist, optometrist and visual researcher.

Diego Lopes '18 Celebrates New Citizenship

Lopes is an undergraduate psychology major and varsity soccer player at Pacific University. In November, he successfully passed the U.S. Citizenship test after several years of uncertain legal status prior to becoming a legal permanent resident.