Featured Psychologist
Carlos Albizu Miranda, PhD, was born on Sept.16, 1920, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. In 1943, Miranda earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education with a major in psychology and a minor in history. Shortly after, he joined the United States Army during the onset of World War II. After serving his time in the army, Carlos returned to work for the Veteran's Admiration as a psychometrician and later as chief of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Center in Puerto Rico.
Like many service men of that time, Carlos decided to use the benefits he received from the G.I. Bill to pursue his education further. His pursuit for a higher education would eventually land him in Indiana. In 1953, Mr. Miranda became one of the first Hispanics to earn a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
After graduation, Miranda returned to his Alma Mater, the University of Puerto Rico as a professor of psychology. He also started a private practice in psychology. Additionally, in an effort to increase the number of opportunities for psychologists and graduate students in Puerto Rico, Miranda founded, along with Norman Matlin, the first independent professional school of psychology, Instituto Psciologico de Puerto Rico, in 1966. The initial name changed in 1971, to Caribbean Center for Advanced Studies. A few years later, Miranda opened a sister campus in Miami, called the Miami Institute of Psychology.
Throughout his career, Miranda published extensively and received numerous honors and awards. He was an APA Fellow and he served as the first president of the National Hispanic Psychological Association and on APA's Committee of Professional and Scientific Conduct and Ethics. Miranda's vision to expand psychology opportunities in Puerto Rico gave birth to numerous Latina/o who entered into the field because of either being a former student or by attending one of his campuses. We celebrate and honor his legacy and contribution to the field of psychology.