Commitment to diversity and inclusion

The Department of Psychology is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our student body, faculty and staff group and the community we serve.

Diversity-related resources at Wayne State University

• The Office of Multicultural Student Engagement strives to cultivate safe and engaging environments where we value, honor, promote and celebrate the difference and similarities among all students who arrive at our office with multiple layers of identity
• Hundreds of student organizations devoted to involving students with diverse backgrounds and interests
• Student Disability Services (SDS) works to ensure a university experience in which individuals with disabilities have equitable access to programs and to empower students to self-advocate in order to fulfill their academic goals
• Office of Military and Veterans Academic Excellence supports those of us who have served in the military
• Diversity programs for graduate students promote initiatives enhancing retention and academic excellence of underrepresented students. Support services focus on facilitating leadership skills, applying to and attending graduate school, graduation, and entry into professional and academic careers
• Greater Retention and Achievement through Diversity (GRAD) Initiative
• Who are the Warriors? Explore the demographic and cultural make-up of the students from around the world
• Explore the neighborhood and get involved in the Midtown community

Diversity-related resources in psychology

"Understanding and appreciating diversity goes beyond a consideration of gender and ethnicity to include issues such as sexual orientation, culture, socioeconomic background, and disability status." American Psychological Association

• APAGS Resource Guide for Ethnic Minority Graduate Students
• Proud and Prepared: A Guide for LGBT Students Navigating Graduate Training
• Resource Guide for Psychology Graduate Students with Disabilities
• African American Psychology Student Organization

Department of Psychology Diversity Committee

Faculty co-chairs

• Hannah Schacter
• Chris Trentacosta

Graduate student co-chair

• Danny Mulligan

Mentoring Undergraduate Students towards Excellence (MUSE) Program

The MUSE program matches graduate students in the psychology department with undergraduate students who may be:

• Typically underrepresented (members of minority groups)
• First-generation college students
• Unsure about how to navigate graduate school applications

The graduate mentors help the undergraduates by assisting them in finding research labs and encouraging them to participate in undergraduate research opportunities (both in the department and in the wider university community). If needed, graduate mentors might also help the undergraduates in the MUSE program who have significant personal needs (homelessness, lack of food, etc.) by connecting them to CAPS, the W Food Pantry, and other university-provided services. The graduate mentor helps the undergraduate navigate through the graduate school application process with important advice about the GRE and the application and interviewing process.

Graduate mentors and students meet weekly either in person, via email, or phone. Mentors are assigned to students each fall. If you are interested in becoming a graduate mentor, or if you are an undergraduate who feels you would benefit from being a member of the MUSE program, please contact WayneStateMUSE@gmail.com.