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Jodie Ullman becomes WPA president-elect,

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from: http://newsletter.csbs.csusb.edu/12-13/Fall2012/ from: newsletter.csbs.csusb.edu/12-13/Fall2012/%5B/caption%5D

By Kelsey Wagner |staff writer|

CSUSB psychology professor, Jodie Ullman, recently became president-elect of the Western Psychological Association (WPA) on April 28.

WPA is a professional organization that “stimulates the exchange of scientific and professional ideas and, in so doing to enhance interest in the processes of research and scholarship in the behavioral sciences,” according to westernpsych.org.

“I never in a million years ever thought I would be elected WPA president,” said Ullman, according to csusb.news.edu.

Ullman has been apart of WPA for many years and has taught at CSUSB since 1996, a total of 17 years.

Ullman first joined WPA many years as a student and wrote a paper that focused on the dynamics of group decision making.

“I gave my first presentation as a student at a WPA convention[…] I can trace my entire career with the WPA,” said Ullman, according to csusb.news.edu.

Since then Ullman’s “writing has been cited more than 950 times and is a required reading at more than 40 universities in the United States,” according to csusb.news.edu.

In Ullman’s new position, she hopes [WPA] will work with other Psychological Associations in the near future, specifically those abroad.

Ullman currently serves as CSUSB’s faculty senate chair, which “is involved with program reviews and academic policies,” said Ullman.

She has served this position for three years and has conducted research with grad students on thesis, research, and consolations.

In addition, she is the director of the psychology department’s master’s program in general experimental psychology.

As new president-elect, Ullman will hold the position for one year, move up to president the next year, and then serve as past-president for the following year, according to csusb.news.com.

“[During the] first year, you[…] learn about the organization [internally], and work towards convention and speakers,” said Ullman.

Ullman also teaches graduate, upper-division psychology classes at CSUSB. She focuses on teaching various psychological statistics courses which she is internationally renowed for.

“As an internationally known quantitative psychologist, she has lent her expertise to countless statistical workshops and training opportunities offered by WPA over the years and she has contributed to the success of the organization in many ways. Our department is very proud of her,” said Robert Ricco, the chair of the university’s psychology department, according to High Desert Daily.

When teaching statistics, Ullman said, she will “watch students come in and they are less than thrilled, and they see the joy at the end.”

She emphasizes Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and multilevel modeling.

Ullman uses applied multivariate statistical research to analyze substance abuse, HIV, condom use, cultivation, homelessness, marriages, and family support issues.

Multivariate analysis is, “the analysis of relationships among three or more variables at the same time,” according to NAU.

Ullman has won many awards during her time at CSUSB.

She was honored last summer with the 2012 Western Psychological Association Outstanding Teaching Award along with the prestigious fellow status in the American Psychology Association in recognition of her teaching and writing, which has had a national impact in the field of psychology, according to csusb.news.edu.

“She is an exceptional member and leader of the CSUSB faculty and an exemplary representative of Cal State San Bernardino,” said President Tomás D. Morales, according to csusb.news.edu.

We’re proud of Jodie for her accomplishments and all that she contributes to the university and her profession.

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