Psi Chi is pleased to announce the 2005-06 Kay Wilson Leadership Award for Outstanding Chapter President. The second recipient of the award is
Kristena M. Kons of Weber State University (UT). The Psi Chi/Kay Wilson Leadership Award was established to honor Kay Wilson, Executive Officer of Psi Chi from 1991-2003. Under Kay's leadership, Psi Chi doubled its membership and increased its grants, awards, and national visibility. Kay not only demonstrated excellence in leadership but also realized the role Psi Chi plays in developing future leaders in psychology. This award is dedicated to her commitment for leadership.
The award is presented annually to one chapter president who demonstrates excellence in leadership of the local chapter. Such leadership should assist Psi Chi in achieving its purpose "to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual member in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology."
As the winning Psi Chi chapter president, Ms. Kons received a cash award of $500 and travel expenses to attend the Psi Chi/APA National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana to receive an engraved plaque commemorating the award. Please see Ms. Kons'
personal statement below about her role as chapter president.
Biography
After completing a bachelors of science in psychology at Weber State University (UT),
Kristena M. Kons plans to attend a graduate PhD program in industrial/organizational psychology. In the field of I/O psychology she will study human behavior as it occurs in a business or industrial/organizational setting. The experience she has gained through her leadership position in Psi Chi has given her great insight into the qualities necessary to become an effective leader. Leadership is an important factor in the social and psychological climate of the work place. I/O psychology became her field of interest because as she observed the people in her life she became aware of the dramatic influence a job or career had on their lives. An individual's choice of career can impact his or her very sense of self identity. To her, helping a company create a better work environment to help employees become increasingly motivated and satisfied in the work place is something that she knows will be rewarding.
Personal Statement The best way to illustrate my role as president of the Weber State University (WSU) Chapter of Psi Chi is through all of the great things we have accomplished this year as a team. My leadership has been based on encouragement, enthusiasm, selflessness, andcommitment. Upon being elected in the spring of 2005, I was determined to take our generally inactive chapter of Psi Chi to a new level of involvement. Inspired by Psi Chi's mission statement, I sought for major improvement in our chapter's enthusiasm, scholarship, and community involvement. I knew that the Psi Chi members needed a sense of direction, and I gave that to them by conveying a strong vision of the future.
I immediately started putting my plans into action upon assuming the presidency. I raised enough funds from several different sources to renovate our stuffy and unorganized office into a chic, exciting, yet functional new space. This renovation project served as a great gift to show the WSU members of Psi Chi my determination and commitment to improving our chapter. More importantly, this gift serves today as a positive team environment where members study together and gain a sense of community with peers interested in psychology.
As a leader, I have learned that it is essential to set high standards and goals across the entire spectrum of the organization, such as strategy planning, communication, meetings, marketing, presentation, and reliability. I encourage the members to reach goals as effectively as possible, while also working selflessly to strengthen the bonds among all members. I always value each member's contributions and validate all members' ideas and opinions. I have also learned as chapter president to lead through example. I strive for excellence in myself and in others.
Serving as chapter president of Psi Chi has been an amazing experience. This year I have grown more as a person than any other year in my life. The responsibilities that were placed upon me in my presidency allowed me the opportunity to discover a depth of inner strength that was previously unclear, and for that I am thankful to Psi Chi. I am also thankful for all of the hard work and determination that the WSU members of Psi Chi have put into our chapter. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve my presidency with the most extraordinary faculty and fellow students. This is truly an experience I will never forget.