Each year at graduation, two students (one MA, one PsyD) are awarded the Marjorie Scott Scholarship for Excellence (MSSE) in recognition of excellence in academic achievement. Students are invited to apply during third semester, and the winners are announced during MSP’s annual commencement ceremony.
We are delighted to announce that Ashley Ball (MA) and Rebecca Jarvis (PsyD) are this year’s recipients! Ashley and Rebecca were honored during this year’s commencement ceremony.
MA Award
This year’s MSSE master’s award recipient is Ashley Ball, an outstanding student in MSP’s Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program.
During her two years in the MA program, Ashley has continuously impressed her faculty with her dedication to her studies and engagement both in and out of the classroom. While at MSP, Ashley has taken on leadership roles in the Psi Chi Chapter at MSP and the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance (IDEA) and is also a member of Association of Black Psychologists Student Circle (ABPsi SC). Ashley has shown further dedication to her and her classmates’ education by serving on the Cultural Appreciation Conference (CAC) Planning Committee and presenting at the conference herself.
Outside of MSP, Ashley has become known for her calm empathic manner when working with clients at her practicum. She also volunteers extensively with Macomb County Community Mental Health to provide support to parents of children with autism as a peer support partner. During the last two semesters of her program Ashley’s spouse needed to move out of state for a job opportunity. Despite this challenge, she successfully completed her program and practicum and continued contributing to her community while parenting her two special needs children. Ashley is a true professional who has gone above and beyond in her pursuit of clinical excellence.
As noted by Dr. Meade-Higgins in her recommendation, “Ms. Ball has the personal qualities that are essential to be a successful psychologist and one MSP is proud to present to the psychology community and world at large. She is approachable and personable and able to think on her feet. She is self-directed and can work independently as well as in collaboration with others. Ms. Ball is one of the most authentic people I have encountered and approaches all people with earnest curiosity and unconditional positive regard.”
PsyD Award
This year’s recipient of the MSSE PsyD award has made a lasting contribution to the entire MSP community. Rebecca Jarvis is an outstanding student in MSP’s Doctor of Psychology program and is an alum of the school’s Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Program.
During her time in the PsyD program Rebecca has been a member of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO), Psi Chi, and the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance (IDEA). During this time, she served multiple terms as the Treasurer for ECO and led the efforts on selling reusable canvas bags to benefit Keep Growing, a local non-profit. After passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) at the doctoral level early in her time in the program, Rebecca has taught an 8-week prep course at MSP. In doing so, she provided her fellow students with an important, free resource to help them prepare for this important step in their professional lives.
In her clinical work, Rebecca has embodied cultural humility and sought to continually learn new skills and techniques to better support her clients. During her internship, she has co-facilitated a weekly sexual trauma focused process group for students at Wayne State University. Beyond providing therapy, Rebecca has also demonstrated skill in performing assessments, gaining the attention of her supervisors.
Throughout her time in the program Rebecca has also taken advantage of opportunities to conduct research. She was a member of Dr. Sebree’s research team examining climate change and racial ideologies among White Americans and was able to present at the Division 32 conference. Additionally she presented her dissertation research and research on interpersonal needs at the APA’s annual convention, and presented on the adverse experiences scale at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference.
In her recommendation Dr. Cusick shared, “I have found Rebecca to be kind, hardworking, intelligent, and committed to excellence in academics, clinical work, and research. She is well-deserving of the Marjorie Scott Scholarship for Excellence.”
