WASHINGTON — Frank C. Worrell, PhD, director of the school psychology program at the University of California, Berkeley, has been elected the 2022 president of the American Psychological Association.
“With the mental health challenges posed by the pandemic, economic uncertainty and concerns about racial justice, psychology’s contributions to society have never been more important or more necessary,” said Worrell. “APA is the only home for psychologists from all research subdisciplines and types of practice, and it is critical for APA to continue to be a vital contributor and leader. I believe that as president, I can further APA’s mission of serving psychologists and developing and using psychological science to serve society.”
A certified school psychologist and licensed psychologist, Worrell served as president of APA’s Division of School Psychology in 2007 and then on the APA Council of Representatives representing that division from 2010 to 2015. He was also a member at large of the APA Board of Directors from 2016 to 2018. He is a member of six APA divisions, with fellow status in five, and has served on multiple APA committees, boards and task forces.
In addition to his position as director of the school psychology program in the Graduate School of Education at UC Berkeley, Worrell is an affiliate professor in the social and personality area in the department of psychology. His areas of expertise include academic talent, development/gifted education, at-risk youth, cultural identities, scale development and validation, teacher effectiveness, time perspective and the translation of psychological research findings into school-based practice.
He has authored more than 200 academic publications and most recently co-edited The Cambridge Handbook of Applied School Psychology.
Born in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, Worrell originally intended to become an English teacher. In his senior year of high school, he saw a student fall apart on stage at a school concert and decided to minor in psychology in order to help his future students. But an introductory psychology course piqued his interest so much that he changed his major and never looked back. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Western Ontario and his doctorate from UC Berkeley.
His professional awards include the Outstanding International Psychologist Award from APA’s Division on International Psychology; the Nadine Lambert Outstanding School Psychologist Award; a Presidential Award from the National Association of School Psychologists; and a Presidential Citation from APA in 2011.