The Psi Chi Website Awards annually recognizes and awards three outstanding Psi Chi chapter websites. As part of the award, Psi Chi is pleased to summarize each chapter's website here. For full information, browse each winning chapter's website in depth below. This year's 2004-05 Website Award winners are as follows:

California State University, San Marcos
   (original site no longer online)

Connecticut College
   oak.conncoll.edu/~psichi

Ohio State University
   www2.psy.ohio-state.edu/psichi/

California State University, San Marcos
(original site no longer online)

The website for the Chapter at California State University, San Marcos was created to support chapter members in pursuit of their academic goals. The current site provides members with an organized forum in which to share information, maintain a sense of community, and foster academic, personal, and professional achievement.
     Visitors to the site are welcomed with style, organization, and aesthetic appeal. From the original composition of the insignia to the pleasant "starry" background, the home page grasps the visitor. The three tenets of the chapter are readily displayed so that visitors are immediately made aware of the reason for the chapter's existence: encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence.
     Psi Chi's mission statement follows, as does a greeting from its chapter president. Easy to follow links are provided in order to navigate the site where persons can submit an online application, participate in officer elections, and easily contact officers or the faculty advisor.
     A sense of inclusion is accomplished by dedicating a page to the history and mission of Psi Chi. It is here where future and current members learn that their accomplishments are honored and their interests are shared. Community is also fostered by the inclusion of member/faculty photos.
     Scholarship of chapter members is encouraged by providing links to graduate school preparation sites, statistical aids, and professional organizations. The website also includes an events page where students are invited to participate in the school's research fair, community service projects, fundraisers, and social outings.

Connecticut College
oak.conncoll.edu/~psichi

Connecticut College Psi Chi created a website primarily to expand the role of Psi Chi in its community. The chapter wanted students to get excited about Psi Chi and the many opportunities afforded them through membership. It also wanted the college community, such as non-member psychology students, faculty, and staff, to become more involved with the chapter's community service and guidance projects.
     The site stands apart from others in several ways. The chapter offers several opportunities on the site for members, specifically its membership form and its new addition for the department--the Undergraduate Advising Program. This program provides practical advice to students contemplating a psychology major or for those who have declared but need assistance in planning their academic schedules and careers. The chapter provides an online form for students to fill out their contact information and specific questions or needs. Upon submitting the form, the students avail themselves of the experiences of many current juniors and seniors with a variety of academic and extra-curricular backgrounds.
     The site also offers announcements, deadlines, and photo albums of past events. If students feel more connected and involved with the group, they are more likely to participate and contribute, as well as have positive experiences, and gain important life experience.
     The site is also simple to navigate and aesthetically pleasing. Photos are presented whenever possible to give the user a more tangible feel for what the chapter does. A description of executive board officers, along with photos, helps the officers be more accessible to members. Several links and pages of information from Psi Chi National are provided to draw students not only to the local chapter but to the national honor society as a whole.
     Consistent with the Psi Chi purpose and mission statements, the chapter feels its website advances the social and intellectual responsibility toward its school and the local community. By providing most of its services, announcements, and general information online, the chapter feels it is connecting with the student body and involving its own members to a greater extent.

Ohio State University
www2.psy.ohio-state.edu/psichi/

The Ohio State University Chapter looked to bring cohesiveness to its chapter through the development of a chapter website. The site was created with the intention of making information about the chapter and events more accessible to members and potential members. As the chapter has matured, the focus has begun to change. Currently with this site, the chapter wants to convey a sense of enthusiasm for the group, its activities, and the exceptional achievements of its members.
     The site shares many things in common with other sites, but has some qualities that make it unique. Such qualities include the Macromedia® Flash® movie on the home page, the calendar view on the events page, and downloadable membership applications. These features contribute to the site by making it aesthetic, more user-friendly, and functional.
     Moreover, the site is also unique because of the emphasis it puts on its members. Next to each officer title is a picture and a personal statement which allow people to feel more familiar with the group. There is also a member spotlight that is intended to encourage and applaud participation. The officer and member highlights showcase the activities and academic achievements of members.
     The philosophy of the site is that by presenting the group, its goals, accomplishments, and members, students will then be able to determine if they want to be a part of the chapter. Through these means, the chapter hopes to meet the goal to encourage interest and exploration in the study of psychology through experience.