Georgia Michalopoulou of Sterling Heights, assistant professor in the Wayne State University School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, has been appointed to the executive board of Michigan Women Psychologists.

"It is an honor to serve on the Michigan Women Psychologists executive board. Issues of minority and diversity are close to my heart, and women's issues fall under this big umbrella of diversity," said Michalopoulou, who is also chief of staff of Child Psychiatry and Psychology at Children's Hospital of Michigan.

"Professional women have made tremendous strides in terms of drawing on their strengths, abilities and talents to advocate for their professional status and contributions in the workplace in recent years," she said. "I believe that we professional women have the power to influence and affect social, political and economical conditions in our communities. I consider this appointment an opportunity to join the efforts of my colleagues in this organization and to contribute to its growth and further development."

Michigan Women Psychologists is dedicated to the growth of the profession. The nonprofit organization provides opportunities for professional and personal networking, education and mentoring to mental health professionals.

Michalopoulou's appointment is for one year, and her term can be extended at the recommendation of the executive board.

She will chair both the Research and Liaison committees. Her responsibilities will include oversight of organizational research activities, reporting and disseminating knowledge obtained through research in the field of psychology, and developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with other professional organizations and educational institutions. She also will contribute to the organizations' quarterly publication.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.