Greg Meissen, Program Director (Free-standing Community)
(316) 978-3039 phone
meissen@twsu.edu e-mail
(316) 978-3593 fax

Community psychology at Witchita State University centers around five full time community psychology faculty and about 25 full time doctoral students. The cornerstones of our program are prevention and wellness, community health, development and funding of community based programs/projects, and program evaluation. Community practica are well paid and real world in local organizations and agencies in Witchita, an urban area 1/2 million. There are a variety of faculty driven, ongoing action research programs around important social issues including minority health, homeless mentally ill, prevention of harmful drinking, advance directives for end of life, self-help groups, women's use of alcohol, and others. Doctoral students are a critical part of these action research programs that do much good for people and communities while generating important advances in research and policy.

The Community Psychology program has built a theme throughout our curriculum to bring attention to issues of diversity. More specifically, required community courses cover these issues in a variety of different of ways coordinated by faculty to increase the breadth and depth of training. Particular attention is paid to diversity in community practica both through supervision and practical experience. A number of faculty and student research and project collaborations are around topics and populations important to diversity.