Five Graduating Seniors Recieve Psychology Awards

The Psychology Department honored five of our Fall 2018 graduation seniors at the Psi Chi Induction Ceremony on Monday November 12.

Mia Comeaux was named Outstanding Graduate from the Psychology Department, Celeste Manuel and Thomas Wilmore received the Hait-Lewis Award for Academic Excellence in Psychology, and Ashley Hughes and Lauren LaHaye recieved the first-ever Psychology Star awards.

Mia is from Lafayette, LA. She is the current president of UL Lafayette's chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success; Giving Love, Acceptance, Safety and Support (GLASS); Actively Moving Forward, and NAMI. She is a member of Dr. Amy Brown's Sexual Violence Research Lab. She continues her interest in assisting survivors of sexual violence by volunteering as a crisis line operator and ER advocate for Hearts of Hope, Acadiana's rape crisis center. Mia also volunteers for St. Joseph's Diner and Faith House. Mia hopes to continue her education by obtaining a PsyD in Counseling Psychology.

Celeste Manuel is from Lafayette, LA. She is a member of Psi Chi, Psy Co, Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, and Ragin Cajuns Catholics. She has engaged in a variety of community service efforts for the D.R.E.A.M.S. Foundation of Acadiana, NAMI on Campus, and several religious organizations. She has been involved in Dr. McDermott's H.E.A.T. lab since 2016. Celeste hopes to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Thomas Wilmore is from Alexandria, LA. He is a member of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society, and the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He has done research with Drs. Yang & Perkins, and with Dr. Michael. He hopes to go on to get a PhD In Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Ashley Hughes is from Bossier City, LA. She is a member of Psi Chi, Psy Co, NAMI on Campus, and is the vice president of the Catholic Relief Services Student Ambassadors. Ashley is a member of Dr. Hung-Chu Lin's Developmental Science Research lab where she has authored 5 conference presentations, one for which she received a research award from the Southwestern Psychological Association and Psi Chi. Ashley is an intern with Better Options Initiative has participated in several other community service activities and events. Ashley plans to pursue an MSW and eventually, a PhD.

Lauren LaHaye is from Arnaudville, LA where she attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart schools from pre-k to 12th grade. She is the treasurer of Psi Chi and is a member of Psy Co, NAMI on Campus, Beacon Club, and Student Orientation Staff. Lauren has also been involved in Dr. Lin's Developmental Science research lab for the past two years, and has contributed to at least 5 conference presentations. Lauren volunteers for Hearts of Hope, and has participated in several other community service activities and events. Lauren hopes to pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology.

Pictured, from left are: Scholarship coordinator Dr. Amy Brown, Mia Comeaux, Celeste Manuel, Thomas Wilmore, Ashley Hughes, and Lauren LaHaye.