The Department of Psychology in the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences is nationally renowned for its programs and faculty. They recently received two awards from the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs (CCPTP) presented at the American Psychology Association (APA) national conference in August 2023, and it’s a testament to the distinctive training this program offers our students.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Suzette L. Speight.
Dr. Suzette L. Speight, professor of psychology and director of training for the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology, received the 2023 Lifetime Contribution to Education and Training Award from the CCPTP. This award recognizes and honors those faculty members who have distinguished themselves through significant, long-term service and contributions to education and training in Counseling Psychology.
“It is very humbling to be recognized by my peers—other Directors of Training—because they know exactly the type of energy and effort it takes to be a successful training director,” remarked Speight. “I am very proud of my leadership that I believe has enhanced the doctoral programs that I have been affiliated with.”
When she first became a training director, there were very few faculty of color in the field of Counseling Psychology.
“I don’t think there were any Black Training Directors. So, I did not feel like I really belonged. But I am pleased to note that times are changing and as our field is diversifying (slowly) so is the leadership.”
For Speight, she feels it is important to develop the next generations of psychologists who will utilize psychology to interrupt systems of oppression by promoting social justice.
“I guess that is my personal mission, so to be acknowledged for my lifetime of contributions to training counseling psychologists is very special.”
Dr. Jennifer Stanley, professor and chair of the department, said, “The far-reaching impact of Dr. Speight’s decades of work training counseling professionals is impressive. Thanks to her leadership as Training Director, scores of graduates from this program are making a difference in so many peoples’ lives every day, and will be for years to come. I congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition of her contribution to the education and training of doctoral students in Counseling Psychology.”
Speight has also been recognized as a fellow in the Society for Counseling Psychology with the American Psychological Association, and a distinguished professor of the Association of Black Psychologists.
Award for Diversity, Inclusion, and Advocacy
Also at the August APA national conference, the CCPTP honored the Counseling Psychology doctoral program with the award for Outstanding Graduate Training Program in Diversity, Inclusion, and Advocacy.
Dr. Gregor and students accept the Outstanding Graduate Training Program in Diversity, Inclusion, and Advocacy.
Dr. Margo Gregor (pictured center), associate professor in psychology, along with several graduate students accepted the award at the conference.
“The Counseling Psychology doctoral program with its dedicated faculty and committed students have made issues of diversity and social justice its mission” Gregor said. “Our longstanding focus on issues of diversity really distinguishes us from the other doctoral program in the country. Students often choose to attend our program because they feel aligned with our social justice values.”
Speight acknowledged how meaningful it is for the other counseling psychology doctoral programs to recognize their unique expertise in issues of diversity and “our unmatched success in recruiting, retaining and graduating diverse students, including people of color, queer students, and international students.”
The program has established several objectives to be leaders in this area:
- Recruiting and retention of students from diverse backgrounds.
- Hosting the longstanding Professional Development Day with its focus on diversity-oriented topics.
- Designing a curriculum that includes five courses devoted to advocacy and diversity.
- Committing to research and service by the faculty that demonstrates an awareness of and commitment to DIA related concerns.
- Encouraging students who support and celebrate the program for its commitment to DIA related concerns and who in turn engage in service and advocacy.
Stanley stated that the leadership exhibited by the Counseling Program’s diversity, inclusion, and advocacy work embodies the phrase, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
She continued, “As this meaningful award recognizes, this program tackles issues of DIA in every aspect of their work from curriculum to recruitment to research and service.”
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