Offering more funding for research on diversity
APAGS leaders allocated an additional $3,000 in funding for science-oriented students conducting research on diversity issues, a supplemental fund for our most popular award, the Basic Psychological Science Research Grant. Up to three additional grants of $1,000 each will be available again in December.
Addressing the internship shortage
APAGS is working on various fronts to continue to bring the internship shortage under control (for the latest statistics on the internship match, go to "Internship matches rise again in 2015"). APAGS has developed a toolkit of resources to help psychology training programs advocate for reimbursement through Medicaid for psychology intern and postdoc services. This spring, APAGS leaders are attending the regional psychology conferences to teach prospective grad students how to decipher admissions data related to the internship match. APAGS is also attending the annual meetings of the psychology training councils, such as the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies and the Association of Psychology Training Clinics, to promote the development of new internships. APAGS is also working with APPIC to shape and recommend a standardized recommendation letter for the internship match.
Promoting discussion on race and policing
APAGS is partnering with Student Affiliates of Seventeen, the student group of APA's Society of Counseling Psychology (Div. 17), to lead conversations with student advocates about race and policing issues post-Ferguson and Staten Island. This experimental format using conference calls without expert facilitation or preset outcomes is allowing APAGS to respond to emerging issues faced by trainees and provide an immediate venue for dialogue. The first call took place in late December, and the second call was scheduled for early March. To participate on this topic or others, contact Eddy Ameen, PhD.
Supporting students at the National Multicultural Summit and Conference
One hundred graduate students attended the APAGS-sponsored student social at the National Multicultural Summit and Conference in Atlanta in January. Following the summit, APAGS also hosted a half-day professional development event called "APAGS on the Road" at Emory University. APAGS leaders discussed how to prepare for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and licensure, financial planning, loan forgiveness and alternative careers in psychology. APA Past President Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD, spoke to students about her own path to leadership and lessons learned along the way.
Multimedia tools for emerging future faculty
APAGS, through its Committee for the Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Diversity, hosted a widely popular webinar with Kevin Cokely, PhD, on the imposter syndrome for students of color. Listen to the podcast. While you're there, please also watch four faculty of color (Drs. Beth Boyd, Gordon N. Hall, Amanda Sullivan and Earl Turner) talk about their experiences in entering the professoriate and overcoming hurdles along the way.