Cal State San Bernardino psychology professor Jodie Ullman has been named the recipient of the Western Psychological Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
Ullman, who served as association president in 2014, was given the award for “outstanding contributions that have been instrumental in fulfilling the mission and goals of the Western Psychological Association,” the WPA said.
“It is a huge honor to be recognized by WPA with this award,” Ullman said. “I’ve been honored to serve this outstanding organization in a variety of roles. I can trace my career through milestones in WPA from my very first presentation as a student through the present, being honored with this award.”
In addition to serving as WPA president, she has also served as program chair, executive board secretary and treasurer for many years. She has coordinated an annual series of workshops by the WPA, which are designed to help instructors “brush up” on their statistical skills and understanding, and to teach them new methods and ways of thinking about statistical methods in psychology.
“This well-deserved recognition affirms Dr. Ullman’s deep commitment to her discipline, and further accentuates her equally distinguished record of service to her students and colleagues here at CSUSB,” said A. Rafik Mohamed, dean of the CSUSB College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which houses the psychology department. “The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is truly fortunate to have her as a member of our faculty.”
Robert Ricco, chair of the CSUSB Department of Psychology, applauded the selection of Ullman for the honor.
“This award is a very big deal and it is one of many honors bestowed upon Dr. Ullman across her 20 years at CSUSB,” Ricco said.
“Dr. Ullman has built a remarkable record of service and leadership both at the university and as a professional psychologist,” he said, noting her many contributions to the department and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. In addition, he pointed out that Ullman has also served the university in its Office of Academic Affairs, and as a member of the CSUSB and California State University faculty senates.
“She has been a leader and innovator at our regional and national psychological associations — the Western Psychological Association and the American Psychology Association,” Ricco said. “All of this while providing award-winning instruction in the classroom, and enjoying significant national and international acclaim as a scholar in quantitative psychology.”
Ullman — whose primary teaching responsibilities are graduate-level statistics courses in the psychology department — was honored with the 2012 Western Psychological Association Outstanding Teaching Award, largely because of her approach to teaching the difficult subject of statistics.
“The WPA first served as professional venue for me to present my student research and meet and hear some of the psychology greats speak,” Ullman said. “And through the years, I have been able to continue presenting my work and also introduce my students to the fantastic experience of presenting their own research at professional meetings.”
The WPA — which covers Canada and the western United States including Hawaii — was founded in 1921 for the purpose of stimulating the exchange of scientific and professional ideas and, in so doing, to enhance interest in the processes of research and scholarship in the behavioral sciences. Membership in the Western Psychological Association is open to both students and professionals who support these goals and who would like to be a part of the network created to further them.
“The value of the WPA is the opportunity for students and professionals to meet, and share research and teaching pedagogy,” Ullman said. “I have met wonderful colleagues and collaborators throughout the years in WPA.”
Ullman joined Cal State San Bernardino in 1996. She earned her doctorate in quantitative psychology at UCLA in 1997. Ullman also served as chair of the American Psychology Association Board of Educational Affairs and has been a member of APA since she was a graduate student in 1992.
She has been honored with the prestigious fellow status in the APA in recognition of her teaching and writing, which has had a national impact in the field of psychology. Her writing has been cited more than 3,700 times and is required reading at more than 40 universities in the United States and internationally.
Visit the Western Psychological Association website for more information about its programs.