It is with great pleasure that I write this column and look forward to the upcoming year. Div. 20 has been my academic home for more than twenty years, and time and time again, it is clear to me that we have a strong division dedicated to excellence in adult development and aging research, practice, instruction and outreach. As evidenced by the division’s special interest groups and mentoring program, our membership includes psychologists that are knowledgeable and passionate as well as eager for opportunities to engage with one another. The collaborative and generative spirit that continues to nurture me is alive and well.
Division initiatives are wonderful examples of the dedication of our members who serve the division in a many ways. In the summer issue of the newsletter, Michael Marsiske highlighted the wonderful work that our members contribute. I wholeheartedly agree and would like to express my gratitude as well, including the extraordinary efforts of our program chairs, Tina Savla and Laura Zahodne, who facilitated an excellent 2019 convention program. I would also like to thank Michael for tremendous work leading us as president during the last year. He moves to the role of past president after placing the division in an excellent position moving forward. I am excited to pick up on the themes that he identified and to work with colleagues both familiar and new to division leadership. Lisa Brown joins as president-elect, and I welcome the opportunity to work closely together during the coming year.
Planning for the Future
In February of this year, APA’s Council of Representatives adopted a strategic plan for our organization. The plan was intentionally co-created to advance APA’s impact, champion diversity and inclusion and grow the discipline. The four strategic goals aim to:
- Utilize psychology to make a positive impact on critical societal issues,
- Prepare the discipline and profession of psychology for the future,
- Elevate the public’s understanding of, regard for and use of psychology and
- Strengthen APA’s standing as an authoritative voice for psychology.
During the next year, we will engage in strategic thinking about our collective Div. 20 vision and mission. In considering our division’s connection to the larger association, I encourage you to read the APA presidential candidate statements included in this issue of the newsletter. The next step is to vote.
Engage
Please consider this message as your call to action. I invite you to contact me or other division members serving on the executive committee to share ideas and discuss ways in which you can be involved.
As developmentalists, we are keenly aware of the importance of mentoring the next generation of scholars. Thus, encourage your high school, undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral colleagues to join us in shaping the division and larger organization.
Finally, as we create our future, let us thoughtfully consider our stakeholders and potential partners. How can we increase the diversity of voices around the table? What creative methods can we employ to advance the division’s translational work and impact? These questions lead us to think not only about our division and APA but about our connection with other organizations and disciplines and importantly, the adults, families and communities that we serve.
I look forward to this year. Together we can address the question that Michael posed — what do we want for our next 75 years?