Couch named Student of the Year

		Couch named Student of the Year

Russell Couch

J. Russell Couch, a doctoral student in the UK College of Education, earned the “Student of the Year” award from Division 51 of the American Psychological Association (APA). He received the award at the APA’s 115th Annual National Convention held Aug. 17-20, in Sacramento, Calif.

“I am thrilled to receive this award,” said Couch. “At past APA conventions, I met so many student members of Division 51 and was inspired by so much of their work. I never imagined that I would actually win.”

Couch is enrolled in the College’s Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology where he is working on his Ph.D. in counseling psychology. His research centers on gender and human sexuality, with an emphasis on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLTB) issues.

“My passion for working with diverse populations began when I was an undergraduate student at Berea College and grew even stronger while working with AmeriCorps in Washington, D.C.,” said Couch. “I learned a great deal about how racism, sexism and heterosexism affected the lives of African Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanics…not to mention this young, white male from Appalachia.”

Division 51 of the APA is the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities. Its mission is to advance knowledge in the new psychology of men through research, education, training, public policy and improved clinical services. It also provides a forum for members to discuss the critical issues facing men of all races, classes, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and nationalities.

During the 2006-07 academic year, Couch volunteered at the Psychological Services Center at Berea College, and he served on the advisory board for the Campus Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault program. He also worked with college staff to improve multicultural services for men and women of color and GLBT students.

Couch was nominated for the award by Rory Remer, professor of educational and counseling psychology; Pam Remer, associate professor of educational and counseling psychology and clinical training director for the counseling psychology doctoral program; and Eric Anderman, former professor of educational and counseling psychology and associate dean for research and graduate studies for the UK College of Education.

In addition to the letters of recommendation, Couch had to maintain a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrate outstanding academic performance, counseling practice, or research pertaining to boys, adolescent males, men, or masculinity. Lastly, he had to be involved in a counseling practice or conducting research pertaining to masculinity.

Couch earned his bachelor’s degree in theatre from Berea College and master’s degrees in theatre and educational psychology from the University of Kentucky.

He is a graduate of New Richmond High School, New Richmond, Ohio, and the son of Donald Couch of Bethel, Ohio, and Pamela Lee Couch of Milford, Ohio.