Ohio Psychological Association of Graduate Students

With more than 150 members, the Ohio Psychological Association of Graduate Students (OPAGS) is an active organization uniting graduate students throughout Ohio.

OPAGS is supported by the Ohio Psychological Association (OPA), with the OPAGS chair serving as a voting member of the OPA Board of Directors. Additionally, OPAGS members may serve on OPA Committees.

Becoming a Student Affiliate of OPA automatically enrolls you as a member of OPAGS. OPAGS offers all its members enormous opportunities to enhance their development towards a career in psychology and to shape the future of the discipline. From the ability to serve as an OPAGS Executive Board member, to opportunities to present your work at OPA’s annual convention, membership in OPA/OPAGS will help you succeed in school and develop as a member of the psychological community.

2012-13 Executive Committee

Chair: Ashley Murray, Wright State University

Chair Elect: Terri Pelley, University of Cincinnati

Diversity Chair: Rachel Juran, Xavier University

Advocacy Chair: Amanda Trice, Xavier University

Social Responsibility Chair: Hether Cook, University of Akron

Communications Chair : Demaree Bruck, University of Cincinnati

Continuing Education Chair: Steven Beyer, University of Akron

If you are interested in becoming active on one of these committees, please e-mail the above listed chairs.

History of OPAGS

OPAGS was originally the vision of Michael Ranney, executive director of the Ohio Psychological Association (OPA). OPAGS remains one of only a handful of graduate student psychological associations in the United States.

In August 2000, the first student summit was held in Columbus, Ohio. At that meeting, Michael Ranney presented and discussed his vision for the development of OPAGS. In September 2001, a draft of the by-laws was considered by a newly elected OPAGS Board, headed by Jackie Scheff of Xavier University.

In July 2002, the first OPAGS Summer Workshop proved a successful beginning to our networking and educational efforts. This event has become an annual one, held each spring.

During the 2002-03 year, OPAGS received national recognition as the Outstanding State Provincial Student Organization during the APA State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

The 2007-08 academic year was marked by the renovation of the OPAGS mentoring program.

In 2009, OPAGS won the Outstanding State Student Organization Award for the second time during the APA State Leadership Conference.