July 2015 Message from the President As educators, practitioners, students, and partners in psychology, and related behavioral and health sciences, we are acutely aware of the issues facing those living with mental health challenges. We also know that the impact of mental illness is disproportionately felt in marginalized communities of color. As National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month came to a close, we reflected on the progress that has been made, and reaffirmed our commitment to becoming one of the leading psychology schools to close the gap of cultural disparities in mental health care. While there has been a welcomed increase in the number of mental health professionals from minority groups entering the profession, the number of individuals who need services still far exceeds those trained in multiculturally competent care. With diversity at our university's core, The Chicago School consistently attracts passionate and mission-driven students from all backgrounds. Through our Engaged Professional Model of education, we have the great privilege of joining with them through education and hands-on training so as to best position them for their careers, and we have taken significant leadership in ensuring the nation's future mental health professionals are as diverse as the clients they will serve. We are exceptionally proud that nearly 34 percent of our 2014 graduates represent diverse cultural and minority groups. All that said, of all the barriers that prevent access to mental health care in minority communities, stigma is one that remains dominant. There have been a number of national initiatives created to combat the issue, such as those from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. And to offer solutions as well, in June we welcomed 290 attendees to The Chicago School's Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education conference:"Understanding and Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness." As we continue to lead in improving minority mental health care, we must better understand the relationship between mental health and health. As such, a complete integration of mental health into primary
In This Issue Alumna Named Chief Diversity Officer at HCSC Ed.S. in School Psychology Earns Full Accreditation Grand Re-Opening--West LA Counseling Center MOU With Waubonsee Community College Impact Story: One Million Degrees, Chicago Licensure and Certification Week Alum Profile: Dr. Edward Altman, Psy.D. Graduate Research Forum Winners Dr. Nancy Peddle Invited to U.N. Conference Working Group Drs. Connie Fuller and Robert Clark to Retire Los Angeles Campus Invited to Participate in Veteran Program Chicago Commencement Wrap-up Alumni Reception and Events
healthcare is vital to our efforts to reduce stigma, improve access to care, and help individuals and families live more fulfilling lives. We'd like to hear your thoughts on the progress and path forward of improving minority mental health care in America. Tweet us at @TCSPPPrez or @gradpsychology.
Counseling Department Distinguished Student Awards Faculty in the Media
Warm regards,
Michele Nealon-Woods, Psy.D. President
Health Care Service Corporation Names Dr. Manika Turnbull as Chief Diversity Officer
Manika Turbull, Ph.D.
The Chicago School alumna and member of the Board of Trustees, Manika Turnbull, Ph.D., was selected by Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the nation's largest customer-owned health insurer, as Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer. In this new role, Dr. Turnbull will be responsible for managing HCSC's Center for Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) initiatives, ensuring that diversity and inclusion remain cornerstones of HCSC's culture and continue to be integrated into its business operations.
"Manika is the right person at the right time for this critical role. She possesses the change management and interpersonal skills that can move the organization toward new levels of achievement in building relationships across the enterprise and in our local communities," said Nazneen Razi, senior vice president, chief human resources officer, HCSC. Read more.
Meet Alumnus Edward Altman, Psy.D. Edward G. Altman, Psy.D., was among the first class of students when The Chicago School opened its doors in 1981. Upon graduating with honors in 1987 from the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program at the Chicago Campus, Dr. Altman moved on to a successful career as a clinical psychologist with a specialty in assessment and diagnosis. With over 25 years combined experience as a teacher, instructor and reviewer for various psychiatric rating scales used as outcome Edward G. Altman, Psy.D. measures for clinical trial development of new psychiatric drugs, Dr. Altman has obtained the status of an expert in psychiatric rating scale development. He says, "I am most proud that my self-rating scale for mania (The Altman Self-Rating Scale for Mania, ASRM), is one of only a very few
Commencement Dates Washington, D.C. and Online October 9 George Lisner Theatre Southern California and Online October 29 Pasadena Civic Auditorium
TCSPP Supports International Women's Summit Toronto, Canada August 4-5 American Psychological Association Convention Toronto, Canada August 6-9 HACU 29th Annual Conference Miami Beach, Florida October 10-12
TCSPP Students and Alumni in the Media Jaclynn Robinson and Melissa Marsh The Military Psychologist Summer 2015 Joyce Frey The Battlefords NewsOptimist August 4 Ronald L. Jones Herald-Dispatch July 25
measures included and recommended in the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition)." Dr. Altman currently works part-time as a clinical consultant for various pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, Roche, and GlaxoSmithKline. He has done teaching, administration, consulting, clinical research, and published over 25 articles in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, Dr. Altman has worked as a clinician in academic and nursing home settings. "I don't think I would have progressed as far in my career without the TCSPP degree and the well-rounded education I received from a number of excellent teachers," said Dr. Altman.
Ed.S. in School Psychology Program Earns Full Accreditation After a rigorous review process of course assignments, faculty qualifications, student outcomes and scores on state and national exams, internship evaluations and institutional resources, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Program Accreditation Board has granted The Chicago Campus' Ed.S. in School Psychology Program full accreditation. Beginning in January 2016, the program will have the designation for seven years, the longest period granted by NASP. Students who graduate from the program are automatically eligible to be Nationally Certified School Psychologists, a designation that allows them to be licensed school psychologists in most states. The program will also be nationally recognized and listed on the NASP website as a NASPapproved program.
Dr. Anne Brennan Malec Calgary's Child July 14 Dr. Allayna Fern Pinkston Peachtree Corners Patch July 10 Dr. Anne Brennan Malec Live with Scott Cluthe July 2 Lanajean McCloy Wicked Local Hollbrook June 15 Dr. Anne Brennan Malec Hitched June 3
Insight Magazine Explores Life After Trauma
"This recognition is an indicator of the high quality of work from our students and faculty," said James Walsh, Ph.D., department chair, School Psychology. "I would like to thank the following individuals for their efforts in obtaining this recognition: Kelly Broxterman, Ph.D., Marla Carson, Ph.D., Bob Clark, Ph.D., Rik Carl D'Amato, Ph.D., Eleazar Cruz Eusebio, Ph.D., Elaine Fletcher-Janzen, Ed.D., Kristy Kelly, Ph.D., Rachel Losoff, Ph.D., Tulio Otero, Ph.D., Lena Phelps, Provost Joseph Martin Stevenson, Ph.D. and Bill Turton, Psy.D."
Join Us for the Grand Re-Opening of the West Los Angeles Counseling Center Faculty and staff of The Chicago School's Counseling Center will host a grand re-opening on August 19 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at its new location in West Los Angeles, California. Join President Nealon-Woods, along with faculty, staff, students, government officials, businesses, and community leaders to meet the people who improve the lives of those in our community. A brief ceremony, ribbon-cutting, and tour of the facility will take place at the event. To RSVP, please contact Anita Fozoonmehr at (310) 481-5960. The Center, one of two in Southern California, employs some of the region's most experienced licensed clinical psychologists and marital and family therapists who provide close supervision and mentoring to master's and doctoral-level interns working toward clinical licensure. In keeping with The Chicago School's mission to meet the needs of
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underserved populations, the Center provides premiere service to all members of the community on an affordable sliding scale.
Partnership with Waubonsee Community College to Advance Psychology Education
Faculty and staff of WCC join Waubonsee President, Dr. Sobek (seated left), President Nealon-Woods (seated right) and Chicago Campus interim dean, Dr. Tiffany Masson (standing next to Dr. Nealon-Woods) at the official signing.
In early June Waubonsee Community College (WCC) and The Chicago School became partners in advancing psychology education when the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU allows all active Waubonsee students who meet admissions requirements to transfer to The Chicago School's online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Completion Program. Eligible Waubonsee students transferring to The Chicago School are guaranteed general admission, and will receive a 10 percent tuition discount. This is The Chicago School's first transfer agreement with a community college in Illinois. "Psychology continues to be a very popular undergraduate major, so we're excited to enter into this new agreement with an institution like The Chicago School," said Waubonsee President Dr. Christine Sobek. Read more.
Tireless ABA Doctoral Student Don Togade Works as Practicum Supervisor and Adjunct Professor While Seeking Opportunities to Help Others "As an adjunct professor and practicum supervisor, I have made the commitment to train my students to become well-rounded behavior analysts who are not just clinically competent, but more so that {both they} and my interns will be able to fulfill their roles ethically, with strong emphasis on integrity, and sensitivity and tolerance to diversity in carrying out their personal and professional obligations," explains Don Togade, M.A., BCBA. Don Togade, M.A., BCBA
Clearly someone who thrives on challenges and keeping busy, Togade not only served as an adjunct professor at The Chicago School, and worked as a practicum supervisor at TCSPP community partner One Million Degrees, he did it all while studying for his doctoral degree. Don is now a fourth year student in the Applied Behavioral Analysis Program at the Chicago Campus. Read more.
Missed the Annual Licensure & Certification Week Trainings? It's Not Too Late to Learn Career Services held its annual Licensure & Certification Week from May 30 to June 8, drawing a total of 117 students to the 10 events held across all campuses. The week is planned to give students and alumni opportunities to enhance their knowledge of related processes and practices. "Career Services partners with various academic and Applied Professional Practice teams to ensure that our students and alumni have adequate resources and information to navigate their professional development and licensure/certification paths," explained Aisha Ghori, director, Career Services. Participants were able to attend sessions, either in person or via webinar, on such topics as counseling licensure and certification, and preparing for licensure with the Board of Psychology. One of the more popular workshops, the Illinois - LPC/LCPC information session with Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association attracted 27 attendees. Students and alumni who may have missed attending events can still benefit from the week. "It's never too early or too late in the process to prepare. Career Services regularly records and archives sessions for review at a later date," said Ghori.
2015 Graduate Research Forum Announces Winners The Graduate Research Forum Committee would like to thank all of the students who participated in this year's Graduate Research Forum and are pleased to announce the following winners:
Dr. Nancy Peddle's Work to Fight the Ebola Crisis Earns Her Invitation to United Nations Conference The Ebola outbreak that swept through West Africa last fall galvanized the global healthcare community to assist affected countries. The Chicago School's International Psychology affiliate professor Nancy Peddle, Ph.D., already working in Sierra Leone, took immediate action. Under the auspices of her organization the LemonAid Fund, Dr. Peddle raised over $200,000 in food, supplies, vitamins and money to send to its LemonAid Fund Network. In collaboration with the Network, an Ebola crisis strategy was developed to holistically support Nancy Peddle, Ph.D. prevention efforts and address needs that were going unmet. The LemonAid Fund Network worked on both the national level with the Sierra Leone Ministry, and also at the community level to get support directly to those in need. "We supported some of the critical areas such as wash and sanitation; food and nutrition; basic needs of clothes and household items to cook; education; and psychosocial functioning," explained Dr. Peddle. "Our Network leaders were trained in what to say and were willing to risk their lives to go out into the communities for just 'food for work' to sensitize people on Ebola transmission, procedures and prevention."
Because of her work to fight the Ebola crisis Dr. Peddle was invited to the United Nation's High Level International Ebola Recovery Conference Technical Consultation on July 9, and the International Recovery Conference hosted by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on July 10. While there, she participated in a working group responsible for writing three papers, including "Prioritizing Psychosocial Support for People Affected by Ebola in Sierra Leone." Founded by Dr. Peddle to aid individuals in their efforts to achieve position and lasting change in the lives of their children, families and communities, the LemonAid Fund helps to achieve the TCSPP pillar of Internationalization by providing support to TCSPP IP dissertation students in their international research. Students have also worked with the organization for their Power of One study abroad programs, service projects and field experiences.
Esteemed Professors, Drs. Connie Fuller and Robert Clark, to Retire
Dr. Connie Fuller and Dr. Robert Clark being recognized at this year's commencement ceremony in Chicago.
The Chicago Campus will soon be saying goodbye to two dedicated professors as they both retire at the start of the fall term. Connie Fuller, Ph.D., associate department chair, Business Psychology, and Robert Clark, Ph.D., department faculty, School Psychology, will leave indelible marks on the university, from which generations of students will benefit. Read more about what they had to say about retirement.
Los Angeles Campus Invited to Participate in Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program Community Career Development, Inc. (CCD), the nonprofit operator of the Wilshire Metro, Compton and South Los Angeles WorkSource/America's Job Centers of California, has invited The Chicago School to play a vital role in its Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP). Funded by the State of California Employment Development Department, the program will provide 160 unemployed veterans with job-readiness and vocational training, job placement assistance, case management, financial coaching, social service referrals and support services. Under the terms of the agreement, interns enrolled in the M.A. in Forensic
Psychology and Psy.D. in Psychology Programs at The Chicago School's Los Angeles Campus will provide clinical assessment and onsite individual and/or group counseling services to VEAP participants--as well as other adult job seekers and at-risk youth--under the supervision of a licensed psychologist for an initial one-year period. While gaining clinical hours toward licensure, graduate students will have the opportunity to work with CCD team members to assist military service members transition to the civilian workforce. "Providing the tools our veterans will need for successful transition and being part of the journey toward vocational integration can be life changing for students," said Teresa Masi, MFT, senior director of Clinical Training at the Southern California Campuses.
2015 Chicago Commencement Ceremony Celebrates Largest Graduating Class in The Chicago School's History
A standing-room-only crowd greeted more than 570 Chicago Campus graduates as they swept down the aisles of the Arie Crown Theater for the 31st commencement ceremony on July 10. Speakers included 2015 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Joseph Kovach, Psy.D., class of 1986, and Owen Duncan, who accepted an honorary degree on behalf of his mother Sue Duncan, founder of the Sue Duncan Children's Center, a TCSPP community partner for almost seven years. Speaking on behalf of her class, Master of Arts in Psychology graduate Vivian Calderon Guzman told her fellow graduates, "We are the leaders of today. We are responsible for making the world a better place for our children and grandchildren, so I would like to remind you of how powerful and capable you are of accomplishing all you have set your mind to."
Events Reconnect Alumni with TCSPP Community and Celebrate Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
President Nealon-Woods & Dr. Kovach
Nealon-Woods.
Alumni, faculty, staff and students gathered at the Chicago Campus on July 8, to celebrate the 2015 graduating class and the campus' Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Joseph W. Kovach, Psy.D. The reception, sponsored by the Alumni Relations Department, attracted over 70 guests, and featured several speakers including Dr. Kovach and Dr.
Relaying a story about how at one time he found himself collecting cans on the beach for money, Dr. Kovach, currently an international consultant, clinical psychologist, researcher, and the program director of the Master of Arts in Psychology Program at Calumet College of St. Joseph, told graduates to learn to "accept the unexpected" as they start to build their careers, and to know that they can build from nothing. As Distinguished Alumnus, Dr. Kovach was honored at the Chicago Campus' commencement ceremony, and his name will be placed on a plaque featuring past recipients hanging prominently at the Chicago Campus. Each year, nominations are solicited from The Chicago School community, a program that started in 1991. Recipients are chosen by members of the Alumni Council through a rigorous nomination process. This year, Alumni Relations is honoring these recipients at a special reception with alumni, President NealonWoods and the graduating class at each campus as a way to highlight alumni who are recognized leaders in their field. To read the criteria and see a full list of Distinguished Alumnus of the Year recipients, click here. Click here to nominate candidates for the Southern California and Washington, D.C. Campuses.
Chicago Campus Counseling Department Recognizes Distinguished Students
Counseling Psychology students at the Chicago Campus gather at the Distinguished Student Awards Ceremony. The Counseling Department annually recognizes distinguished students for their participation and service in the community, leadership roles, scholarship and GPA.
Missed Media Stories with TCSPP Faculty Experts? Check Out Top Stories Below and Congratulate Your Colleagues The Chicago School's faculty are oftentimes sought out as experts by members of the media. Below is a sampling of some of our recent media coverage about trending news stories. The Psychology of Sexual Assault In the wake of the scandal surrounding comedian Bill Cosby, Nancy Zarse, Ph.D., department faculty in the Chicago Campus' Clinical Forensics Program, was interviewed on KCRW's Press Play with Madeleine Brand regarding the traits and behaviors of sex offenders. KCRW is a SoCal NPR station. Listen to the interview. A Psychologist's Explanation of Why Racism Persists in America Priscilla Dass-Brailsford, Ed.D., lead faculty in the Washington, D.C.'s International Psychology Program, spoke about the psychology of racism and racial injustice in an interview with the Huffington Post following the Charleston, South Carolina church killings. Read more. To the Letter Washington D.C. Campus Dean and Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psy.D. Program, Heather Sheets, Psy.D., interviewed with the APA's Monitor on Psychology regarding the standardization of letters of recommendation for students applying for internships and what students should know. Read more. Rise and Fall In an editorial for Ebony Magazine, Gregory Canillas, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Los Angeles Campus' Clinical Psy.D. Program, addresses the eruption of uprisings around the country, and why they are becoming inevitable. Read more. Black Bodies Seen Blogging for Youth Circulations, Cynthia Lubin Langtiw, Psy.D., associate professor in the Chicago Campus' Clinical Psy.D. Program, connects the struggles black American youth face with the rejection felt by Dominican Haitian youth in the Dominican Republic. Read more. Parenting: Hair Punishment Claudia Shields, Ph.D., department chair of the Los Angeles Campus' Clinical Psy.D. Program, was interviewed by the Associated Press regarding parents using public shaming as a form of punishment. Read more. Visit The Chicago School Media Room for more articles and broadcast segments featuring TCSPP experts.