The five candidates running for APA’s 2017 president discuss their commitment to diversity and the opportunities that have resulted from changes to APA’s governance structure:
Q1: How will you integrate and reflect APA's commitment to diversity in all of your presidential endeavors?
I would implement steps to increase the number of marginally represented groups in our membership and in our governance. For psychology students, minority consultants and guest speakers should be brought into the classroom to share their ideas and experience and to serve as role models for minority students. Professors should allow such students to gain practical experience with writing journal articles. At the APA governance level, I would encourage frequent exchanges between the minority and disability affairs offices and APA's membership. People with disabilities and diverse religious groups will be consulted in the planning of APA meetings and conventions.
Q2: There are multiple changes to APA’s governance structure underway. What is one major opportunity this change offers the association?
APA's Good Governance Project maximizes the organizational effectiveness of APA governance by assuring its practices, processes and structures are optimized and aligned with what is required to thrive in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex 21st-century environment. One major opportunity these changes offer the association is enhancing the use of technology. Taking advantage of technological developments will permit APA to communicate more effectively and efficiently with its members. The proposed use of technology to poll, track and manage urgent and emerging issues will be of critical importance in improving responsiveness to the APA membership.