Psychology wins national award for scholarship, mentoring, and community enrichment

From conducting significant research on child development and addressing health disparity among minorities, to their efforts training the next generation of mental health professionals, the members of the University of Miami’s Department of Psychology have used their expertise to help the community. Now, the American Psychological Association, the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, is honoring the department’s efforts with the 2008 Culture of Service Award.

The award recognizes departments that demonstrate a commitment to service in the psychological sciences.

UM was noted for the following:

• Having hosted seven nationally and internationally recognized scientific journals, including two APA flagship journals that are edited by department faculty (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology)


• Having faculty and graduate students as members of scientific boards and advisory groups at a national and international level. Those include the Presidential Task Force on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma in Children and Adolescence, and the National Adherence Council for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.


• Providing psychological services to the community at The University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and the Linda Ray Intervention Center, which supports infants prenataly exposed to crack cocaine.

Psychology Chair Rod Wellens accepted the award on behalf of the department Oct. 4 at the APA Science of Leadership Conference in Tempe, Arizona.



“The department is honored to receive this recognition,” Wellens said. “When the number of person-hours contributed to journal editing, manuscript reviews, grant-reviews, national, local and university committee work and community service is tallied up across all our department members, it represents a significant contribution of effort.”

The award comes with $5,000. Wellens said the department plans to distribute it as a series of mini-grants for service-related proposals submitted by psychology graduate and undergraduate students and faculty.

Local leaders such as University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala, Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's and Michael R. Halleran, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences recommended the psychology department for the APA award.

“The psychology department is one of the most productive, research-intensive departments within the College of Arts & Sciences,” wrote Shalala in a letter to the APA. “Its faculty are not only academic leaders, they provide important service to professional organizations and to local, state and federal agencies, creating a culture of service for the department and their students.”

October 7, 2008