Congratulations to Whitney Shepherd on Receiving the Nyre Award!
PhD Student, Whitney Shepherd was chosen for this year's Nyre Award. Whitney has been chosen to present her research related to family accommodation and transdiagnostic factors among anxious children at the 2025 Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) Conference. This is an impressive and prestigious accomplishment for a first year PhD student. Whitney led a unique study that identified a significant moderating effect, suggesting that targeting family accommodation in interventions could be particularly beneficial for anxious children with elevated levels of intolerance of uncertainty, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of treatments.
The Nyre Clinical Child Psychology Student Support Fund was established in 2018 by Dr. Joseph E. Nyre and Kelli L. Nyre in honor of founding director, Dr. Michael C. Roberts to provide financial support for graduate students in the Clinical Child Psychology Program (CCPP) at the University of Kansas.
While pursuing his Ed.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Kansas, Nyre worked closely with Drs. Michael Roberts and Eric Vernberg in pursuing his research at the interface of developmental psychology and public policy. He was particularly interested in the development of evidence-based services within educational institutions and advancing systems of care. To this end, Dr. Nyre was instrumental in the development of the Intensive Mental Health Program (IMHP) to serve children who presented with serious emotional and behavioral disorders. After completing his degrees, Dr. Nyre served in a faculty capacity at Baylor University, the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine, and Harvard Medical School. He then served for eight years as President and Full Professor of Psychology at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. Dr. Nyre currently serves as President, and Full Professor of Psychology, at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. In reference to this award, Dr. Nyre noted, “I believe that the ‘power of the place’ to change destinations is driven by finding great mentors, colleagues and friends. Dr. Michael C. Roberts opened doors, mentored me and changed my destination.”
Mrs. Kelli (McIntyre) Nyre, a native of Kansas, is a former elementary school teacher, mother of four and the First Lady of Seton Hall University. The Nyres met while studying at the University of Kansas, where they learned the value of living a life of service. Mrs. Nyre, a Gamma Phi Beta alumna, is recognized for her tireless support of K-12 education and the students of Seton Hall.