Seeing Yourself in "I'm Psyched"
A museum experience held by the psychology department geared at demonstrating positive representation for Black and Brown students in the field of psychology.
The Santa Monica College’s (SMC) Psychology department hosted the “I’m Psyched” museum experience on Nov. 16 to highlight the careers of various psychologists who are of Latin American descent. The department’s first in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic took place on the third floor of the Humanities and Social Science (HSS) building which was decorated with posters that thoroughly detailed the lives and careers of the psychologists being honored.
The experience was carefully curated by the Psychology department to show students diverse positive representations in the field of psychology as well as enlighten students about the various sectors that fall under the career path. The museum demonstrated psychologists from all over Latin America in fields varying from forensic psychology, cognitive psychology, and clinical psychology amongst many others.
Upon arrival at the department office, visitors were enticed by a large table full of snacks such as snap peas, potato chips, and cookies along with refreshments such as coffee. Attendees were immediately greeted with a warm welcome from the department’s faculty members Dr. Steph Anderson, Dr. Chante DeLoach, Dr. Lea Hald, and Dr. Erin Cue.
“We are trying to advance racial equity for students by considering the voices and experiences of Black and Latinx students. We really wanna make sure that the students that we serve see themselves reflected in our curriculum,” said Dr. Cue. The professor shared that events like this are important because “Black and Latinx folks are underrepresented in the field of Psychology.”
SMC student Gabriel Jimenez shared that she was happy the event was also an opportunity to meet professors in person “since most classes are online and we don’t get to see each other much every week.”
The department is planning to host another museum experience geared at celebrating the lives and careers of various Black psychologists next year in honor of Black History Month.
