Diversity Committee Update

Diversity Committee Update

By Omar G. Gudiño, PhD, ABPP
Member-at-Large: Diversity

SCCAP just concluded its midwinter meeting, which provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the work we do and to plan for the future of SCCAP. It was heartening to discuss Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts with my SCCAP colleagues and to see the many opportunities for championing DEI within the organization. Below are some updates on the work of the SCCAP Diversity Committee. 

We are thrilled to be holding the third, biennial SCCAP Leadership Education to Advance Diversity (LEAD) Institute on June 3, 2023. LEAD is a key initiative of the organization that focuses on promoting leadership development for graduate students and early career professionals who are members of SCCAP. We acknowledge that the success of SCCAP and the field is dependent on welcoming leaders from diverse backgrounds. LEAD represents one of our efforts to promote leadership development and opportunities for SCCAP members who contribute to the diversity (broadly defined) of the organization. An impressive group of 45 LEAD Institute Fellows will be participating in this year’s LEAD Institute, which will provide training, workshops, and panels to support professional development, leadership skills, and networking. Following the LEAD Institute, Fellows will be invited to become involved in leadership opportunities within SCCAP to support ongoing development and support of our current and future leaders. We appreciate the work of Earl Turner, PhD, who is again serving as the LEAD Chair, and to the Diversity Committee members working with Dr. Turner to put on this wonderful program.

The SCCAP Diversity Committee recently awarded ten $500 Diversity Professional Development Awards to SCCAP student and early career psychologist members. These awards are intended to support opportunities to travel to conferences to present research or other professional development opportunities for SCCAP members from diverse backgrounds (broadly defined). A special “thank you” goes out to Dr. Nuri Reyes, who serves as the Diversity Travel Award Chair, and to the Diversity Committee members who reviewed applications. Please stay tuned for a new award recognizing Early Career Contributions to Diversity Science that is being launched this spring! This award is designed to elevate and recognize the impressive work of early career psychologists who are shaping the future of diversity science in our field. More information about how to nominate someone for this award will be shared on the listserv.

In September of 2023, the Diversity Committee will be welcoming Donte Bernard, PhD as our featured webinar speaker. Dr. Bernard will be sharing his work examining the ways in which racism impacts the well-being on Black youths and the ways in which culturally relevant protective factors can support youth resilience across developmental periods. Registration information for this webinar will be shared on the SCCAP Listserv.