Rebecca Blais is new Associate Department Head for Psychology

Rebecca K. Blais, associate professor in the Psychology Department, was named the new associate department head on October 1, 2019. This new administrative position in the Department of Psychology assists the current department head in offering support to students and faculty.

“Becky is filling this administrative role at an important time for our department,” said Scott Bates, psychology department head. “We've grown; we have more faculty in more diverse roles than ever before, more undergraduate students than ever before, and the graduate programs are all more complex, popular, and productive than before.”

Over the last decade, the Psychology Department has seen a 45% increase in its number of undergraduate students, has grown to include over 300 graduate students, and is home to nearly 40 faculty. The position oversees some department responsibilities and leads a variety of committees including the Awards Committee, the Colloquium Committee, and the Council of PhD Program Directors.

One of Blais’ larger responsibilities in this position will be assessing both graduate student assistantship assignments and evaluation procedures and the utilization of teaching assistantships in the undergraduate program.

“Our department is incredibly strong in research scholarship, teaching, mentorship, and service,” said Blais. “This role is exciting because it offers the opportunity to work on targeted projects that will further strengthen an already industrious department.”

Blais’ interest in clinical psychology is focused on trauma in military service members and veterans. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Utah before completing a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Seattle Division of VA Puget Sound. Blais’ research is sustained through grants and other supports from the Society for Military Psychology, Utah State University, and the National Institute of Mental Health.

“I am excited to hit the ground running,” said Blais. “As soon as I heard about this new role, I knew I was interested. It is a pleasure to work among such talented faculty and bright students. I wanted to utilize my leadership skills to facilitate even greater growth and support for our community. I bring a great deal of energy to the table and look forward to finding ways to enrich our department.”

“Having her serve in this role, looking at ways to make our department more effective and efficient, will sustain our success and take us to another level,” said Bates.

Blais encourages students and faculty to reach out with questions and ideas for the department.