SAN DIEGO — The American Psychological Association (APA) has announced the election of Debra Kawahara, Ph.D., associate dean and distinguished professor at Alliant University’s California School of Professional Psychology, as their next president.
She will be the first Asian American female and first Japanese American to serve as APA president.
The APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the U.S., with more than 146,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members. The vote was open to all APA members, and the results were announced Sept. 19.
Kawahara ran on a platform of UNITY, with the letters symbolizing: Utilizing our science and knowledge to increase the voice and visibility of psychology and APA; Nourishing our global partnerships to work on human rights and justice; Inclusiveness, belongingness, and engagement of all psychologists; Training and educating students and Early Career Psychologists for the future; and “You Matter. APA Matters.”
“I am honored to have been elected to this esteemed position of leading APA,” said Kawahara. “I am also deeply grateful to the members of our association for creating the unity that I have worked towards throughout my career. I am motivated to collectively create inclusive spaces and policies where people feel valued, worthwhile, and are treated with respect and dignity within and beyond APA.”
“We are thrilled with this achievement and know that the APA, and its members, will benefit from Debra’s stewardship,” said Andy Vaughn, president and CEO of the Alliant International University system. “Her leadership in CSPP has been exceptional, we expect nothing less of her leadership in the APA.”
“Her thorough understanding of the opportunities and challenges that face the profession, paired with her extensive experience in APA leadership, uniquely position Debra for success in this…
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