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.
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.
Marley Smartnick
Chairperson
(They/Them)
"Before transferring to Point Park, I completed an Associate of the Arts in Psychology at Westmoreland County Community College. I hope to complete the 4+1 Community Psychology B.A./M.A. program, and my ultimate goal is to earn a Ph.D. in Critical Psychology. I spent my life in the small town of Derry, Pennsylvania, about an hour away from Pittsburgh. My experience in my small town inspired me to go into the field of psychology, but it wasn’t until I reached Point Park that I decided to pursue the community focus. Confluence is an opportunity to get involved with the University and Pittsburgh communities, which I am thrilled to do. I cannot wait to see what Confluence achieves with all our amazing minds working together!"
Nikki Tymczyszyn
Chairperson
(They/Them)
"I am a senior clinical psychology major with hopes of earning my Psy.D. in the future. I was born in New Jersey but raised in Saint Marys, a small town about three hours away from Pittsburgh. I enjoy cooking, baking, plants, animation, indie video games and goofing around with my two cats. I recently developed an interest in entomology, and have started a small collection of framed butterflies, moths, etc. As chairperson, I hope to bring as much fun, positivity and student/community engagement to Confluence as possible. I am honored and excited to be involved, and I look forward to helping and serving our community and seeing where this experience takes us!"
Darian Lees
Chairperson
(She/Her)
"I am a junior forensic psychology major from Pittsburgh. After earning my bachelor's degree, I intend to pursue a master's degree in clinical psychology and a Ph.D. in hopes of becoming a psychologist in a legal or private setting. I completed an internship with the Abolitionist Law Center, participating in the court watch program to observe the mental health court in the Allegheny Courthouse in Downtown Pittsburgh. I play on the University's women's golf team. I'm very excited to be a part of Confluence and do incredible work alongside my fellow classmates."
Breeanna Stephenson
Treasurer
(She/Her)
"I am a junior forensic psychology major with a minor in criminal justice. I am originally from Erie, Pennsylvania. In addition to Confluence, I am on the executive board for Strong Women, Strong Girls. In my free time, I like to volunteer in the Pittsburgh community. Once I have graduated from Point Park, I would like to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in Pittsburgh. I am excited to have this opportunity to make a difference in the Point Park community through Confluence. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together!"
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:
