New Directors for Graduate and Doctoral Programs, Festschrift for a Former Dean, Gen Z and Mental Health

The world is flat (p = .000)

Almost 30 years ago, the acclaimed clinical psychologist and statistician Jacob Cohen, PhD, published a paper titled “The world is round (p < .05)” in the journal American Psychologist. With this paper, Dr. Cohen challenged the orthodoxy in empirical research to see the world in binary terms: that is, as either statistically significant or not. He pushed for more complexity.

Sadly, I think we still demonstrate a reductionistic bias (in absolute terms) when it comes to not only empirical research (searching for a single coefficient, ES, NNT, etc.), but also clinical practice (describing psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), etc., as monolithic and discrete practices) and, of course, identity politics (putting people into boxes despite discussions of plurality and intersectionality).

I encourage us all to remember complexity, to hold the horror and joy, the hope and dread, the wonderful and wicked (and everything in between)—to resist the anxious impulse to reduce the ambiguity and error—and instead to recognize complexity with all it has to teach us about infinite idiosyncrasies, to gaze at length at a galaxy of stars rather than just pursue a North Star!

With the end of 2023 and the fall semester, my first as dean, comes a time to reflect. Derner has become many expressions, many programs with different identities and thus many challenges. It can spin in place, but still remarkably moves toward—I suppose like a galaxy. We have much to marvel at. In this issue of Insights, we recognize some of our accomplishments and stars.

This issue highlights some of the accomplishments of this past fall: a celebration for the 60th anniversary of our postgraduate program, a Festschrift in honor of my predecessor, new leadership roles for longtime colleagues, several program developments, innovative faculty research and scholarship, and continued recognition on the national and international stages.

It has only been a semester that I have served as dean, but in reflecting on all we have achieved thus far, I am truly excited to think about all that is possible in the new year and beyond. On behalf of Derner, I hope that you take some time out this holiday season for rest and to cherish your family and friends.

Congratulations to Laura Brumariu, PhD, and Kate Fiori, PhD! They were both appointed this fall to associate dean: Dr. Brumariu for professional programs and student advancement, and Dr. Fiori for foundational psychology and faculty involvement. Stay tuned for our August edition of Insights, where we will hear from them on their new roles and their GOAL program—a mentoring initiative they are piloting with the support of the Office of the Provost Close the Gap grant to support students from historically underrepresented groups who are applying to graduate programs in psychology.

For more than four decades, Jonathan Jackson, PhD, served as a professor, friend and mentor to all who walked the halls of the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology. Join us in honoring Dr. Jackson’s legacy by supporting this initiative that will facilitate transformative conversations, ensuring a lasting excellence in clinical psychology education. If together we raise $25,000, the University will match our collective contributions with an additional $25,000. Let's make a transformative difference in our academic community.

The Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology has earned two additional top rankings. U.S. News & World Report named us a Best Undergraduate Psychology program. And for the first time ever, Adelphi University was ranked in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 World University Rankings by Subject. This year’s list highlights universities specializing in several areas of psychology, including education, sport, business, and animal and clinical psychology. Adelphi joins 621 other universities, including 150 institutions in the United States and just 10 in New York state.