Confluence Psychology Alliance Student Group
A Special Interest Group of the American Psychological Association's Division 32, Humanistic Psychology
Always fighting apathy!
Confluence is an undergraduate humanistic psychology alliance that offers a place for multiplicity and diversity of thought, community, friendship and pro-action/activist outreach. It is open to all majors – all those interested in the psychological life of fiction, film, dance, politics, music, philosophy and everything else under the sun. Confluence members are unapologetic about their intellectual pursuits and unabashedly passionate!
Confluence is not a club, but a student alliance with the Department of Psychology's distinctive orientation and faculty. It is funded by the department and has its own office in the Department of Psychology.
Confluence embraces the belief in interparticipatory and interdisciplinary experiences and exchanges. Confluence imagines all students as themselves points of confluence – drawn to learn, engage, relate and change.
@pointparku What do our students 💚 about studying psychology at Point Park University? Members of the Confluence Psychology Alliance share their thoughts 📣 #PointParkU #PointParkUniversity #psychologymajor #psychmajor #psychologydegree #psychologydepartment ♬ original sound - Point Park Univ.
About Us
Robert McInerney, Ph.D.
Faculty Advisor
Robert G. McInerney, Ph.D., joined the Point Park University faculty in 2006 and is a professor of psychology. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Duquesne University and did both his pre- and post-doctoral training as a psychotherapist at Carnegie Mellon Counseling and Psychological Services. McInerney received certification in human science research from the Center for Interpretive and Qualitative Research at Duquesne University in 2008. His interests are in hermeneutic phenomenology, social constructionism, critical and liberation social psychology, community psychology and feminist epistemology.
Dominique DiLeonardo
Chairperson and Social Media Coordinator
(She/They)
"Hello everyone! I am a senior majoring in general psychology from Canonsburg, just about 25 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. After getting my bachelor’s degree, I am planning on attending graduate school to hopefully become a therapist. I enjoy spending time with my friends, watching drag races, and going to concerts! This year I will be taking over our social media, so follow along so you don’t miss out! Confluence has helped me create unbreakable bonds, so I cannot wait to collaborate with you all and see what this year brings!"
Anastasia Ellis
Director of Media and Communication
"I am a forensic psychology major, and I have a minor in criminal justice. I am currently in my senior year and plan to attend law school after finishing my bachelor's degree here at Point Park. I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. I enjoy reading, painting and horror movies. I oversee the social media accounts for Confluence, so any posts or pictures – that’s all me. I cannot wait to work with everyone this year to make Confluence a great community."
Angelina Gisondi
Chairperson
"I am a sophomore psychology major from a little town 45 minutes north of here called Ellwood City. I hope to get a master’s degree in social work, but not sure where yet, and love to help people. I have worked in a dance studio for 14 years and competed in dance starting at age 8. This has led to my joy in working with children, which I have carried forward into my study of psychology. I also work in the psychology department as a work study and dance competitions. I love nature, any type of movie/tv show, and listening to podcasts. I cannot wait to help with confluence this year and be surrounded by people that I love."
Vivian Kinter
Chairperson
(She/Her)
"I am a senior clinical psychology major from a small town about four hours north called Wellsboro. I am currently applying to graduate programs with the hopes of becoming a therapist and teaching psychology part-time. I have been involved in a practicum with the Abolitionist Law Center observing and critiquing the mental health court in the Allegheny Courthouse. I am also a regular member of the Continental Philosophy Network and love watching horror movies. I hope to have a great year with Confluence!"
Kiara Laws
Chairperson
(She/Her)
"I am a graduate student in the community psychology program from a small town called Normalville, which is located about an hour away from Pittsburgh. I enjoy fantasy novels, matcha lattes and making clay earrings! I’m passionate about empowering young people toward positive development in educational and community settings. On that note, I’m currently working at Shady Side Academy as an after-school activity coordinator. As a Confluence chairperson, I am ecstatic to collaborate with everyone to strengthen our community at Point Park!"
Important Confluence Links:
Criteria for Membership*
1. We ask that members give their student ID numbers (for record purposes).
2. We ask that members exhibit an active participation by responding to Confluence communication (i.e. the Confluence Psychology Alliance Facebook page, Confluence e-mails, Postings on Orgsync.com etc.).
3. We ask that members exhibit an active participation by making an attempt to be involved in, and attend, most activities and meetings.
*Membership criteria is decided upon by the students of Confluence.
Interested in being a member of Confluence?
Contact Faculty Advisor Robert McInerney, Ph.D., at rmcinerney@pointpark.edu.
* Point Park University is located in Downtown Pittsburgh near the confluence of three rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers). Confluence means "with flow" or "streaming together" and describes both a place as well as continuous change. As streams come together they are momentarily both individual and undivided; they are never static, never simply one or many. The interstice of self with other within the University is the point of confluence. And so, we imagine all students as temporary points of confluence drawn to learn, engage, relate and change.
Oh yeah, and join Confluence to get a button:
