WMU psychology professor honored with lifetime achievement award

KALAMAZOO—Western Michigan University's Dr. Alyce Dickinson, professor of psychology, has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement award by the Organizational Behavior Management Network. The honor is given by this professional organization to an individual who has fundamentally advanced understanding and application of behavioral principles in organizational settings.

The author of numerous article and publications, Dickinson joined the WMU faculty in 1984 as an assistant professor, became an associate professor in 1990 and professor in 1997. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1974 from Lycoming College, her master's degree in 1978 from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her doctoral degree in 1985 from WMU.

Dickinson received a number of glowing endorsements in a recent issue of the OBM Network newsletter from former colleagues, students and well-known professionals.

Dr. Aubrey Daniels, a nationally known author and founder and chair of consulting firm Aubrey Daniels International, said Dickinson is an avid promoter and supporter of her field.

"She has always been eager to do research on real world issues, and I quote her research often," wrote Daniels. "It is clear that she has made a mark on the field of OBM that will last."

Dickinson has been dedicated to promoting industrial and organizational psychology and behavior analysis during her nearly three decades of teaching at WMU, added Dr. Maria Malott, chief executive officer of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Her "teaching is legendary in the WMU behavior analysis and I/O community, and she is the consummate educator. Alyce sees teaching not just as one of the responsibilities of an academic career but as central to her life. She is committed to the classroom and believes wholeheartedly in instilling the fundamentals of behavior analysis in her students," Malott wrote. "Her career is an especially well-rounded one, consisting not only of teaching but also of research and professional service…She is one of the vanguards of our field, and one of its most ardent cheerleaders and defenders."

Dickinson also is one of the founders of the OBN Network, housed at WMU, that exists to develop, enhance and support the growth and vitality of organizational behavior management through research, education, practice and collaboration.

This is the second time the organization has honored Dickinson, as she received its Outstanding Contributions Award in 1995.

In 2000, she received the Teaching Excellence Award from WMU's Alumni Association. In 1982, she co-edited one of the first handbooks that examined the application of behavioral principles to business settings.