While touring the nation, the “I Am Psyched!” multimedia pop-up exhibit stopped by the UCA campus to highlight women of color in the field of psychology.

The exhibit, which was available to the public from Feb. 14-18 in Mashburn Hall, was hosted by the department of psychology and counseling but was a collaborative effort, according to professor and department chair, Art Gillaspy. 

“The idea to bring ‘I Am Psyched!’ to UCA began in December,” Gillaspy said. After speaking with faculty at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and the Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gillaspy consulted the UCA Diversity Committee about the idea. 

“We wanted to bring ‘I Am Psyched!’ to Arkansas. Having the exhibit at all three institutions gave us the opportunity to share it with more Arkansans,” Gillaspy said.

According to the American Psychological Association, “I am Psyched!” is “a multimedia initiative that explores the history and contemporary contributions of women of color in psychology as they engage in psychological science, practice and social justice.” 

The exhibit featured photos and biographies of notable women of color and their contributions to psychology, as well as interactive QR codes, which allowed visitors to watch videos related to the content. 

“Historically, psychology as a profession has been dominated by white men,” Gillaspy said. “Most of our theories and research come from a very white, European perspective. ‘I am Psyched!’ highlights some of this history, but more importantly, it features the contributions of women of color. Hopefully, students can see themselves in the leaders featured in the exhibit and be inspired to perhaps pursue their own career in psychology.”

For Darshon Reed, associate professor in the department of psychology and counseling, her desire for her students to encounter the exhibit stems from her own experience as a Black woman in the field of psychology. 

“In my entire undergraduate training career, I only interfaced with one person of color,” Reed said. “If I would have had those faces and those people who could have been part of my journey, I would have felt like I belonged in the field.” 

“Representation matters,” Reed said. “It really affirms who you are, and it helps people to know that different doesn’t always mean bad. You should interpret ‘different’ as something that is unique and allows us to see the world in a different way,” she said. 

Reed, being the first and only Black faculty member in the department of psychology and counseling at UCA, is hopeful when looking to the future. “I’m absolutely wanting to get rid of that title so that I can say I have other people who can help students to see representation,” Reed said. She believes the department is taking steps in the right direction.

Freshman Raven Deloch viewed the exhibit after hearing about it in her general psychology class. As a psychology major, Deloch was inspired by the exhibit and the possibilities it displayed in terms of her future. 

“I am a woman of color, so it’s pretty important to me,” she said. “It’s something I want to do with my life.” 

A notable figure showcased in the exhibit was Mamie Phipps Clark, an African American psychologist whose research was “instrumental in the Brown vs. Board of Education decision,” Gillaspy said. “Dr. Clark was born in Hot Springs. I wonder how many more Dr. Clarks we have right here at UCA, just waiting to do important psychological research or clinical practice?”

“Could be some of the students who toured the exhibit this week,” Gillaspy said. “That’s exciting to think about.”