Psychology faculty earn awards

Two faculty members in the Department of Psychology at Western Michigan University have recently received prestigious awards.

Alyce Dickinson receiving ABAI award

Alyce Dickinson (left) receives ABAI award.

Alyce M. Dickinson received the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Student Committee of the Association for Behavior Analysis International during ABAI’s 42nd annual convention in May in Chicago. The award recognizes those who go above and beyond the call of duty in mentoring graduate students in behavior analysis. This is the third consecutive year a member of the WMU psychology faculty has won the award. Stephanie M. Peterson won in 2015, and Jessica E. Frieder won in 2014. Dickinson’s nominators noted that her teaching is legendary in WMU’s behavior analysis and industrial/organizational psychology community. They consistently praised her for focusing on student success, giving generously of her time and providing exceptional support and guidance.

Al Poling receiving SABA award

Al Poling (left) receives SABA award.

Al Poling received the SABA Award for Scientific Translation: Forty Years of Research: Doing a Lot, Learning a Little. Dr. Poling’s first publication appeared in 1976 and since that time he has conducted basic, translational and applied research in several areas, resulting in publications in more than 50 different journals. A Fellow of Divisions 3, 25 and 28 of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Poling has published 12 books and roughly 350 articles and book chapters and served as the research advisor of 35 Ph.D. recipients. They, and he, have conducted research and done conceptual work in several areas, including behavioral pharmacology, clinical psychopharmacology (with special emphasis on the effects of psychotropic drugs in people with developmental disabilities), applied behavior analysis, gender issues, animal welfare, quantitative analysis, learning processes and research methods. Dr. Poling was recognized as a Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Western Michigan University in 1996 and as a Distinguished Alumnus of West Virginia University in 1999. In 2003, he received the Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Achievement in Research and Creative Activity Award. In addition, in 2016, he will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Association of Behavior Analysis, a Translational Research Award from the Association for Behavior Analysis International, and an International Humanitarian Award from the American Psychological Association.