Pi Gamma Mu®
International Honor Society
in Social Sciences
1001 Millington Street, Suite B
Winfield, KS 67156
Phone: (620) 221-3128 EMAIL
Pi Gamma Mu Speaker Series
Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences is pleased to present a new Speaker Series. The series is open to both members of Pi Gamma Mu and to non-members interested in learning more about the topics being presented. Beginning in the fall of 2022, the Series will be offered via Zoom to spotlight the research interests and expertise of Pi Gamma Mu's chapter sponsors. Throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, four Pi Gamma Mu faculty will showcase their expertise as they discuss new and important themes in the social sciences.
Dr. Laura Rodriguez Kitkowski to Speak about Stress and Strategies for Coping with Stress
Pi Gamma Mu is pleased to announce that Dr. Laura Rodriguez-Kitkowski, of South University, will be the third speaker in its new online Speaker Series. The series spotlights the research interests and expertise of Pi Gamma Mu's chapter faculty sponsors and is free of charge. On Friday, May 12, 2023, at 3 pm ET, Dr. Rodriguez-Kitkowski will speak about Stress and Strategies for Coping with Stress.
Dr. Laura Rodriguez-Kitkowski is a Professor for South University and previously taught at Wayne State University, Oakland University and Madonna University in Michigan. At South University, she is the Department Chair of Psychology managing students matriculating on ground and online across 10 campuses. She serves as the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Director of Compliance & Training for South University, the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Co-Director for South University, the Pi Gamma Mu Georgia Sigma Chapter Sponsor, and she is a member of the Advisory Board for Southern New Hampshire University. Originally from Texas and a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in Psychology, Laura has lived in the Detroit Metropolitan area for more than 30 years where she has a private practice specializing in depression, suicide, bi-polar, dual diagnosis, substance abuse, eating disorders and human sexuality treating children, adolescents and adults. She is a public speaker and presenter on a variety of wellness topics as well as a trainer throughout the United States on personal and professional development. Laura coordinated the 2-1-1 Initiative communications throughout the nation and Canada and continues with legislative efforts in a variety of counseling-relate and wellness related initiatives. She has managed specialized programs in Elder Care, Child Care, Employment & Training and Employee Assistance. She is a Past-President of the Michigan Counseling Association (MCA), Past-President of Oakland Counseling Association (OCA) and Past-Chairman of the Board for The Information Center, Inc. She received both her Master of Arts and Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling from Wayne State University. She is blessed with two wonderful sons, Michael Andrew & Johnathan Phillip, and her loving other half, John.
Update: View a recording of Dr. Rodriguez-Kitkowski's presentation on Youtube:
Joshua Weikert to Speak About Politics and Public Policy in Legislatures
Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences is pleased to announce that Dr. Joshua Weikert, of Immaculata University, will be the second speaker in its new online Speaker Series. The series spotlights the research interests and expertise of Pi Gamma Mu's chapter faculty sponsors, is open to the public, and is free of charge.
On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 2 pm ET, the series will feature Dr. Joshua Weikert of Immaculata University. During the live online event, Weikert will speak about the interplay between politics and public policy in legislatures. Weikert notes that politics and policy “are related but distinct areas of public activity, and nowhere do they come together more directly than in a legislative environment!” His presentation will cover the interplay of politics and public policy in legislatures, including the role of public opinion and interest groups, party competition, majority/minority dynamics, and the challenges of developing good policy options to address public concerns in a multilevel competitive environment. Sociological, behavioral, and structural theories of political leadership will also be brought to bear.
Weikert has a wide-ranging academic and practical career in politics and public policy, combining rigorous research and teaching experience with real-world policy and governing experience. His course roster covers topics in American government, public policy, European politics, law, and political communication. He has also served as a research consultant, policy analyst, and legislative advisor for governments and political campaigns. He is presently Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Civic Engagement at Immaculata University and a policy advisor to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Weikert is the chapter faculty sponsor of the Pennsylvania Alpha Rho Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu at Immaculata University.
On November 18, 2022, the Pi Gamma Mu Speaker Series officially launched and highlighted the expertise of Pi Gamma Mu president, Dr. Susan Kinsella, social work scholar and former dean of the College of Education and Social Services at Saint Leo University. Currently a professor in the online graduate Human Services Administration Program, Dr. Kinsella's lecture focused on Animal Assisted Interventions. Pi Gamma Mu members, chapter faculty sponsors, and other interested individuals attended the live Zoom event which was recorded and made available to all members of Pi Gamma Mu and the public via Pi Gamma Mu's YouTube Channel.
Weikert is the second of four Pi Gamma Mu faculty who are showcasing their expertise as they discuss new and important themes in the social sciences during the 2022-23 academic year. The third event in the Speaker Series will feature Dr. Laura Rodriguez-Kitkowski of South University in Georgia on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 3 p.m. (ET). Rodriguez-Kitkowski is the chapter faculty sponsor of the Georgia Sigma Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu at South University.
Pi Gamma Mu members, chapter faculty sponsors, and others may attend the live Zoom event on January 25, 2023, at 2 p ET
Joshua J. Weikert, PhD
Update: View a recording of Dr. Weikert's presentation on Youtube:
Inaugural Pi Gamma Mu Speaker Series Event
Friday, November 18, 2022, 3 pm (ET) via Zoom
(This event was originally scheduled for September 30, 2022, but was postponed due to Hurricane Ian.)
On Friday, November 18, 2022, at 3:00 pm (ET), the Pi Gamma Mu Speaker Series officially launched and highlighted the expertise of Pi Gamma Mu president, Dr. Susan Kinsella, social work scholar and former dean of the College of Education and Social Services at Saint Leo University. Currently a professor in the online graduate Human Services Administration Program, Dr. Kinsella's lecture focused on Animal Assisted Interventions. Topics included details about how specially trained animals and trainers can help people and communities, how animals impact human lives, a new bachelor’s degree program and certificate programs at Saint Leo University, a new online book, and what we understand about this growing field of study and practice. Dr. Kinsella was joined by Dr. Nancy Wood and Dr. Rhondda Waddell, experts in the field and professors at Saint Leo University. The lecture was followed by a live question and answer session.
Pi Gamma Mu members, chapter faculty sponsors, and other interested individuals attended the live Zoom event on November 18 at 3 pm (ET). The event was recorded and made available to all members of Pi Gamma Mu and the public via our YouTube Channel.
Pi Gamma Mu is pleased to announce that Dr. Laura Rodriguez-Kitkowski, of South University, will be the third speaker in its new online Speaker Series. The series spotlights the research interests and expertise of Pi Gamma Mu's chapter faculty sponsors and is free of charge. On Friday, May 12, 2023, at 3 pm ET, Dr. Rodriguez-Kitkowski will speak about Stress and Strategies for Coping with Stress.