WKU News

Dr. Betsy Shoenfelt, WKU University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, has been named a Fellow in the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), the premier membership organization for the science and practice of I-O psychology.

SIOP Fellow status recognizes individuals whose contributions have had meaningful, sustained, and unusual impact on the field of I-O psychology. Dr. Shoenfelt was recognized for outstanding academic achievement and the innovative application of I-O psychology. Dr. Shoenfelt developed the WKU I-O master’s program into one of top ranked programs in the country among more than 170 I-O master’s programs. Dr. Shoenfelt has trained highly successful graduates who have important jobs that positively impact organizations and the work lives of their employees. As program director, Dr. Shoenfelt serves as academic advisor to all I-O graduate students; she has directed over 100 theses and has served on the thesis committee for an additional 85 I-O graduate students. Some of her most compelling innovative teaching practices occur outside of the classroom where I-O students gain an abundance of applied experience, the hallmark of the WKU I-O graduate program; these applied projects are impactful for the host organizations and help to improve the work experience of their constituents

The majority of Dr. Shoenfelt’s 39 refereed journal articles, 91 conference presentations and 98 technical reports focus on improving performance effectiveness in business, industry, government, education and sports. Likely among her most influential publications are two forthcoming books she edited on best practices in I-O master’s education and careers published by Oxford University Press for the SIOP Professional Practice Series, Mastering Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Training Issues for Master’s Level I-O Psychologists and Mastering the Job Market: Career Issues for Master’s Level Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

In 2016, Dr. Shoenfelt was named a Fellow in the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) in recognition of her innovative application of I-O science and practice in sport psychology. AASP is the premier organization for sport psychology professionals who work with athletes, coaches and non-sport performers including the military. Dr. Shoenfelt is serving as Exam Development Chair for the inaugural AASP Certification Council, leading the testing component for the national certification program for Certified Mental Performance Consultants®.

Dr. Shoenfelt will be formally recognized as a SIOP Fellow at the SIOP Annual Conference in April.

Contact: Betsy Shoenfelt, (270) 745-4418