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Psychology Advisory Committee

The Psychology Advisory Committee (PAC) serves as the primary volunteer group for the Department of Psychology at UT. Members have been chosen because of their interest in psychology, their leadership, and the support they provide to promote the mission of the Department. The Committee works closely with the faculty, staff and administration of the Psychology Department to learn about, and advocate for, key initiatives. As advocates of the Department, members help promote its accomplishments and value to the community.

The Advisory Committee joins with the Department Chair and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts to leverage support from our alumni and the larger community. It provides a vital contribution to the Department’s mission of expanding the horizons of our discipline, breaking new ground in the study of the mind and behavior, and educating our students and the public.

Committee Members

PAC CHAIR

Becky Baskin Ferguson, Midland
Becky Baskin Ferguson has spent more than 30 years in communications and public service in Midland, from journalism to publicity to fundraising to community leadership. In addition to serving as chair of The University of Texas Psychology Advisory Committee, she currently serves on the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, The University of Texas Council for Liberal Arts, and the Midland Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and Board. She previously served as chair of the Midland Planning and Zoning Commission and served as co-chair of Midland Vision 2020, a year-long, citywide strategic planning process.

Ferguson graduated with a B.S. in Radio, Television, and Film from The University of Texas at Austin in 1976. She served as news director for local radio stations and as a television news anchor, producer and reporter. She also worked for the Midland Independent School District as communications coordinator. She has worked as a strategist for bond campaigns for Midland ISD and Midland College and has chaired campaigns for various local races and as a contract fundraiser for the Midland ISD Educational Foundation.
She also has been a freelance writer. Ferguson is a member of the Texas Lyceum. She is a former president of the Midland Citywide PTA.  Ferguson is a founding board member of the George W. Bush Childhood Home and is an elder and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church.  She is married to Doug Ferguson and has two adult children, AJ and Joanie. 

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College of Liberal Arts

Jerry Grammer, Ph.D., 

Clinical Psychologist/Private Practice-Austin

  • B.A., 1969, Government/Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin
  • M.B.A., 1972, Organizational Behavior & Administration, Southern Methodist University
  • M.L.A., 1972, Psychology, Southern Methodist University
  • Ph.D., 1982, Clinical Psychology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas

 

Kathy Banks, M.D., Dallas

Psychiatrist

  • B.A., 1976, Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
  • B.B.A., B.J., 1978, The University of Texas at Austin
  • M.D., 1988, Southwestern Medical School, University of Texas-Dallas

 

Danielle Becka, Austin

Teach for America Alumna/Educational Technology Associate at Infosnap

  • B.A., 2010, Government/Psychology, The University of Texas
  • M.S., 2012, Urban Education (certification: Secondary Mathematics, University of Pennsylvania

 

Audrey Burnam, Santa Monica

 

Nell Bush, Dallas

 

Bob Cocke, Austin

 

Judy Craig, Midland

President of NAMI Midland (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

  • B.A., 1970, Plan II, University of Texas
  • M.A., 1971, American Studies, Purdue University
  • Ph.D., 1977, English Literature, Rice University

 

Elaine Finger, Houston

 

Lisa Henken Ramirez, Austin

Vice President for Customer Experience at Netspend Corporation

  • B.A., 1998, Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin 

 

John Molinar, J.D., Dallas

  • B.A., 1987, Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
  • J.D., 1991,  University of Texas School of Law

 

Rachel Meyerson, Austin

  • Doctoral candidate at The University of Texas/Marketing at Mass Relevance
  • Graduated in 2010, Psychology Honors and Plan II Honors, The University of Texas
  • Master's, 2011, Human Development and Psychology, Harvard University

 

Steven Pliszka, San Antonio

  • B.A., 1973, Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
  • M.D., 1981, The University of Texas School of Medicine

 

Melba Vasquez, Austin

 

Tom Van Hoose, Ph.D., Dallas

Clinical Psychologist

  • B.A., 1967, Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
  • Ph.D., 1976, Clinical Psychology, Southwestern Medical School, University of Texas-Dallas

 

Marilyn White, Dallas

Community Volunteer

  • B.A., 1959, Mathematics, The University of Texas

 

Walter Wilkie, Austin