Representation Matters
Department of Psychology alumni, faculty, and graduate students speak about how balanced representation matters to the field and to the nation.
Regrettably, the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota has never had a Black psychologist as a permanent faculty member. For our students, we know that seeing someone on our permanent faculty who looks like them can have a profound impact, which is not something our Black students have been able to experience thus far in our Department. Read more about why diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical components of excellence in all that we do, and how we are actively working to improve Black Representation in Psychology.
In a recent interview with Counseling alumnus Jason Steward, PhD (class of ‘05), we learned what drew him to Psychology and how he is making an impact. Also, he told us about what he sees are some of the barriers to increasing Black representation in Psychology and how the program, profession, and field can work toward change. Read An Interview with Jason Steward.
We spoke with Lovey Peissig, an alumna from the Counseling Psychology program. to learn what drew her to Psychology and how she is making an impact as a professional. Also, she spoke about why it is essential that we work to increase Black representation in our program, the profession, and the field. Read an Interview with Lovey Pissig.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Counseling alumna Harriet Haynes (class of '79) about her journey to joining the field of psychology. In the interview, she speaks on her career at UMN and beyond and addressed some of the barriers faced by Black students. Read an Interview with Harriett Haynes.