By Dakota Galvin, USF College of Arts and Sciences
During Homecoming week, all of USF鈥檚 campuses come alive with events and celebrations,
drawing students and alumni into the spirit of community and pride. For the Department of Psychology, the mood shifts from festive to focused as the department hosts its Annual Expo
鈥� now in its 13th year 鈥� transforming hallways and labs into a showcase of student
research and academic opportunity.
Students shared research, explored campus resources, and toured department labs during the Psychology Expo. (Photo by Dakota Galvin)
Students shared research, explored campus resources, and toured department labs during the Psychology Expo. (Photo by Dakota Galvin)
Though the Expo鈥檚 mission is to showcase departmental offerings, it often becomes something more: a space where faculty, alumni and special guests engage directly with presenters, giving students the chance to share their work and sharpen their presentation skills in a supportive, professional setting.
This year鈥檚 event also reflected the department鈥檚 rising national profile 鈥� USF鈥檚 psychology program now ranks among the top 75 in the country, with its industrial-organizational psychology program ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 in 91社区 by U.S. News & World Report.
Professor Paul Atchley watching students鈥� poster presentations. (Photo by Dakota Galvin)
Senior Julia De Paula Silva Colombo, the first place 鈥楤est Poster鈥� winner with her presentation. (Photo by Elizabeth D鈥橝mico)
In addition to presenting their work, students connected with campus partners, explored resources and student organizations tabled outside the breezeway, and joined graduate-led tours through the department鈥檚 labs to learn more about hands-on opportunities within the program.
And it wouldn鈥檛 be a successful event without awards to close out the day. For Professor Paul Atchley, the awards ceremony is one of the best parts of the Annual Expo.
鈥淚 always get excited when I see how many campus partners want to be present for our tabling event, and how well-attended they are,鈥� Atchley said.
鈥淭he one moment I always really enjoy is when the student poster winners are announced. I love seeing how excited the students are that their work has been recognized.鈥�
Professor Vicky Phares with student raffle winners. (Photo by Dakota Galvin)
Professor Vicky Phares with student raffle winners. (Photo by Dakota Galvin)
Out of the 35 posters presented, first place for the 鈥淏est Poster鈥� was awarded to senior Julia De Paula Silva Colombo, for her project 鈥淓xploring Competition to Promote Adult Physical Activity Using Heart Rate Tracking,鈥� which was inspired by personal experience pursuing a more active lifestyle.
鈥淕rowing up in a sedentary environment, I often tried to become more active on my own, but I鈥檇 eventually give in to my surroundings. Over time, as I became surrounded by people who genuinely enjoy exercising, I have grown to love it. Before I knew it, I had completed a marathon,鈥� Colombo said.
鈥淕iven these experiences, I wanted to explore whether having friends that incentivize
exercise could promote physical activity.鈥�
Colombo intends to continue this line of research in a doctoral program in clinical
psychology, with the hope of examining how exercise interventions may reduce stress.
The Expo has seen a lot of changes over the last 13 years, but the impact remains the same: attendees 鈥� faculty, students and alumni leave inspired and proud of their department. This sentiment is shared by the department chair, Judith Bryant.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so gratifying to celebrate students鈥� achievements much as one celebrates and enjoys the development of one鈥檚 own children,鈥� Bryant said.