Commitment  Areas

Developing and organizing informative events, discussions, and workshops that promote an awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.

Accomplishments:

• Hosted a number of events that aim to foster education and discussion of issues of DEI that apply to a wide range of diverse and underrepresented groups. Thus far topics have included: historical trauma in Indigenous communities, barriers to thriving in academia for students who are neurodivergent or who have disabilities, the experiences of Black women in graduate school, the paper “Why clinical psychology must change or die"

• Hosted celebratory and community-building events including a Pride celebration and a cultural sharing baking event

Hosting events and programs that foster a sense of belonging, not only within our area but also within the broader departments.

Standing Goals:

• Host bi-annual social events

Accomplishments:

• Highly attended bi-annual social events to foster community belongingness and connections, particularly across cohorts

• Established a shared library for clinical-related and otherwise interesting books

Evaluating and enhancing our academic programs to ensure that they reflect the values of diversity and inclusion.

Standing Goals:

• Curriculum tracking through conducting an end-of-year survey with students for impressions on diversity and equity content for core classes

Past Accomplishments:

• Conducted a survey-based review of course syllabi with the goal of encouraging more classroom time devoted to topics of diversity and equity

Supporting research endeavors that consider and prioritize inclusion, excellence, and equitable practices.

Past Accomplishments:

• Created a document with suggestions for equitable research practices (see Resources page) 

• Hosted research excellence events where CSPR members discussed ways to advance diversity and equity via rigorous research practices

• Facilitated a panel discussing ways to build and maintain community partnerships through research processes

Focusing on attracting, supporting, and retaining students from underrepresented backgrounds through mentorship and support systems.

Standing Goals:

• Host a discussion around issues of DEI for prospective CSPR students during their Welcome Weekend

• Evaluation and consideration of retention factors for current graduate students

Past Accomplishments:

• Increased accessibility to DEI-C materials by creating a website for the DEI-C, updated semesterly

• Communicated the investment of CSPR in diversity and equity goals via statement on our website

Promoting diversity and equity in clinical practice and clinical research, taking into account the needs of diverse populations.

Standing Goals:

• Ongoing evaluations of training opportunities provided and training gaps remaining. Continued collaboration with the Associate Director of Practicum & Internship Placements to facilitate partnerships with practicum training sites in the Twin Cities area.

Past Accomplishments:

• In 2020, reviewed existing practicum sites to assess degree of exposure to work with diverse populations and supervisors

  • Added a new practicum site at the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis based on interests of students

• In 2023, re-evaluated training opportunities and needs in the hopes of adding more sites to diversify our training opportunities again

• Hosted a series of talks by experts in the field regarding working with diverse clinical populations