Jessica S. Reinhardt, PhD (2025 Chair/Education Representative); Dominique B. Chao, PsyD (Vice Chair/Science Representative); Sarah W. Clark, PhD (Governance and Membership Representative); Ryan E. Flinn, PhD (SPTA Representative); Clifton A. Berwise, PhD (Divisions Representative); Elizabeth M. Stuart, PhD (Practice Representative); Ecclesia Savage, PhD, LPC, CPCS, RPT (Public Interest Representative)
Staff Liaison(s): Zeljka Macura, PhD; Allison Gillens, MPS
In 2025, the APA Committee on Early Career Psychologists (CECP) continued advancing initiatives designed to strengthen leadership development, expand professional resources, and bolster community engagement among early career psychologists (ECPs). These efforts supported APA’s ongoing mission to prepare the psychology workforce for future opportunities and challenges while reinforcing the association’s leadership within the profession.
At APA Convention, CECP sponsored six ECP focused programs that disseminated information about mentorship, networking, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, and career advice. In partnership with various organizations, these programs listed below collectively drew more than 200 attendees.
To expand networking opportunities beyond convention settings, CECP convened ECP leaders across APA Divisions and State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Associations (SPTAs). These discussions informed the creation of a new ECP leadership contact directory. CECP’s SPTA representative also contributed to planning the ECP affinity group at APA’s Practice and State Leadership Conference. These efforts help enhance collaborations, create meaningful partnerships, and increase organizational effectiveness inside and outside of APA.
To honor outstanding ECP contributions within the field, CECP awarded its Convention Grant, Early Career Achievement Award, and Early Career Global Psychology Grants to 25 ECPs. The committee also supported the inclusion of ECPs as CE webinar presenters—comprising approximately one-third of all presenters in 2025.
The committee’s continued commitment to granting awards and recognizing ECP leaders for the work they do within their communities allows them to engage, connect, and serve members as well as elevate the public’s understanding, appreciation, and utilization of psychology.
To further address graduate students’ interest in nontraditional career paths, CECP collaborated with Division 13 to produce a podcast exploring consulting careers in psychology.
In addition, the committee updated the APA ECP website to feature resources on financial wellness and establishing a private practice. These updates were amplified through APA marketing channels, and CECP engaged with students directly by participating in APA’s PsycCareers job fairs, where they distributed informational materials on various careers in psychology.
To expand access to funding knowledge, CECP and the APF co-hosted a webinar on grant opportunities, which drew 487 registrants. Together, these efforts strengthen the pipeline from graduate training to early career practice and reinforce APA’s commitment to supporting future psychologists.