Faculty-led, Student-led, and University-led Potential Events
This section highlights a wide range of academic, cultural, and skill-based events hosted or supported by the Psi Chi / Psychology Club. Events are organized based on who leads them—faculty, students, or campus-wide partners—and are open to all psychology and pre-psychology students. Whether you are looking for practical skills, mentorship, cultural exploration, or peer connection, we encourage you to explore and get involved.
Not all types of events are offered every semester, but the club strives to provide a diverse menu of opportunities throughout the year to meet the evolving interests and needs of our students.
Description - Events in this section are led by faculty and may include formal talks, panel discussions, or structured skill-based trainings. Some offerings—such as the Certificate Training Series—provide a certificate of completion for students who meet attendance and participation requirements. All faculty-led events are open to students regardless of class standing or Psi Chi membership.
Certificate Training Series (Upcoming: Spring 2026 and Fall 2026) - Structured, skill-focused training series designed to provide practical and transferable skills. Students who complete all required sessions and deliverables will receive a certificate of completion.
Faculty Panel Information and Discussion Sessions - Panels addressing topics such as graduate school preparation, applied careers, and navigating academia. Past examples include panels for First-Generation College Student Day, where faculty who were first in their families to attend college shared their experiences. Depending on the topic, panels may also include graduate students (e.g., graduate school preparation panels).
An example for a future event includes a panel of faculty discussing how they made and managed money during their college years (particularly if they came from a low-income background). If you have any other ideas, please contact the club's advisor or one of the officers.
Research Talks - Faculty or guest researchers share ongoing research and engage students in discussions about the research process. Speakers may come from any discipline, as long as the interdisciplinary component meaningfully connects to psychology.
Ask Me Anything (AMA) Sessions - Informal, interactive sessions where faculty respond to student-submitted questions related to careers, graduate school, research paths, or personal and professional development.
Description - Led by our students and peer leaders, these events promote connection, shared learning, and opportunities to develop skills in public speaking, leadership, cultural humility, and peer mentorship. These panels and sessions allow students to learn from one another, reflect on their academic and personal growth, and actively engage with the diverse communities they are preparing to serve.
Psych 63: Introduction to the Psychology Major Presentations - Current students—typically advanced undergraduates or graduate students—share tips, advice, and lived experiences to help new psychology majors (including first-year and transfer students) navigate the program. Students interested in participating go through an application process, and selected presenters will participate individually or in pairs in 15-minute presentation sessions.
Come Learn About the Diverse Heritages and Cultures Represented in Fresno and at Fresno State - In these student-led presentations, participants explore the cultural, historical, and psychological context of various ethnic and heritage groups represented in the Central Valley. Sessions include a review of relevant mental health research, needs, and gaps in understanding—followed by student reflections on what they learned and how it connects to their goals as future researchers or practitioners. Additionally, Fresno State has a rich history of welcoming international students, with particularly strong representation from India and other South Asian countries in recent years. By focusing on both the lived experiences and academic literature related to different communities (e.g., Hmong, Indian, Mexican), students gain a deeper understanding of the populations they are likely to serve after graduation—and are inspired to think critically about how they can help fill gaps in research and practice as future psychologists and mental health professionals.
Resource Exploration with Peers - Peer-to-peer events focused on navigating campus and community resources that support student well-being and success. Topics may include financial literacy (e.g., budgeting, managing aid), personal safety (e.g., requesting campus escort services when leaving late at night), career preparation, resources for student parents, and more. Students share what they have learned, offer guidance, and create space for open dialogue and resource sharing.
Interdisciplinary Peer Engagements (focused on teaching and mentorship) - The Psychology Department is housed within the College of Science and Mathematics, alongside disciplines such as computer science and biology. This creates unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Recognizing that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity have direct implications for mental health and human behavior, the Psi Chi / Psychology Club aims to foster spaces where students across departments can teach and learn from one another. These sessions may include student-led workshops, discussion panels, or informal mentoring groups designed to bridge disciplines and expand the ways students understand the intersection between psychology and other fields.
Psi Chi / Psychology Club Book Club - A recurring space for students to engage with psychology-related books and reflect on their personal and academic growth through reading and discussion. The Book Club is open to all students. Each semester, the book or topic may shift to reflect current interests or themes in the field.
Description - This page features events organized by broader campus departments or services that align with Psi Chi’s mission and support psychology student wellbeing and development. Some events may be co-sponsored by the Psi Chi / Psychology Club.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
In collaboration with the university’s certified trainers
Stress Management Workshops
Led by the Student Health Center or Counseling Services
Campus-Wide Mental Health or Cultural Events
Shared with psychology students to promote engagement beyond the department