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?
In 1892, 31 diverse individuals met at Clark University to form APA with a vision for "a new psychology." Diversity included different training, geography and intellectual interests. Our history should be extended.
Almost 125 years later, diversity within APA has expanded to include social justice, equitable representation and treatment for all. APA membership should match society's demographics by engaging in targeted recruitment. Greater attention within APA should go toward ethnic-minority, disability, socioeconomic status and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender concerns. APA should look beyond our borders to make psychology truly generalizable to the world — an APA for all members.
Q2: There are multiple changes to APA’s governance structure underway. What is one major opportunity this change offers the association?
APA's existing governance structure was created half a century ago. The Good Governance Project (GGP) presents a unique opportunity to engage members, democratize governance and increase organizational efficiency, as well as to develop and apply targeted strategy.
The details to be worked out pose the greatest challenges for the GGP. Member engagement must be increased and member concerns should be continuously monitored and serve as the foundation for strategic impact. This broad-based approach should be supplemented by the council and president, as well as by expert panels. APA's future depends on governance that is simple, flexible and visionary.