Published July 26, 2017
Seth Tackett, afirst-yearr graduate student in psychology at the University of Louisiana
Monroe, will travel to Washington, D.C., Aug. 3-6, to present his research at the
125th Annual American Psychological Association Meeting.
Tackett, from Oak Grove, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from ULM in 2016.
This is the first time a ULM psychology student has received the APA Student Travel
Award, which according to Bill McGown, Ph.D., of the psychology department, is quite
an honor.
Tackett was among more than 250 students to apply and only a few were selected. McGown
said the award is rarely given to master’s degree students, and that it usually goes
to doctoral candidates at Tier 1 schools who are completing dissertation research.
“Selections were based on the merit of the students’ research,” McGown said, “with
some ‘really big players’ competing.”
In Tackett’s research, he examined minority students’ graduation rates, fears of failure,
gender-role conflicts and choices of college majors.
He believes that if minority students and their advisors become aware of psychological
factors that shape students’ expectations and performances, it will lead to optimal
career planning and better goal setting.
“I am from a small Louisiana town, but at ULM I have been exposed to people and ideas
from all over the world,” Tackett said. “My research mentors, Dr. Janelle McDaniel
and Dr. Jack Palmer, are as inspirational and as dedicated as anyone could find anywhere.”
Tackett plans to follow in the footsteps of his mentors after he earns his Master
of Science in General Psychology.
“After I graduate I plan to pursue my Ph.D. in psychology and achieve my dream of
becoming a professor,” he said.
Tackett’s being chosen for this award is a testament to his dedication and the ULM
program.
“I can’t imagine any other university preparing me better for the next phase of my
life. The skills I learned here will be with me forever.”
