As things start to go more back to “normal,” I reflect on how things are still not pre-pandemic “normal.” As psychologists in academic, research, and clinical settings, we are needed more than ever. At the same time, the toll that the two years have taken on the psychology community has been undeniably hard. And so I think about what are the factors that keep us going.
One of major factor is support. Dr. Lisa Brown (D20 president 2020-21; pictured on the right) led our division through the worst of the pandemic, the beginning. There was so much uncertainty and not yet a vaccine. She led the division with positive messages of strength and determination to continue the good work of Division 20. Just as important (and lucky for me), she also formed strong communication bond within the Division 20 president trio which helped develop and continue initiatives across presidential terms such as the Age-Friendly University initiative.
Dr. Joann Montepare (D20 president 2021-22; pictured center) was very kind and collaborative to include me in the Age-Friendly University initiative as well as other initiatives, including being a part of the Committee on Division/APA Relations (CODAPAR) grant looking at age friendliness within the APA division. She was also supportive in allowing me to shadow her to learn the ropes of how to lead our division. I am most grateful for her continued support and guidance as I take over the reins for this coming year. (Yes, that is me pictured on the left).
Another factor that keeps us going is a sense of belonging. At my university (Palo Alto University), we added the term “belonging” to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEIB). That sense of belonging is how I hope to increase the D20 memberships among students and those who recently graduated. Through the mentorship program that we have, and expanding it to promote mentorship and training opportunities for geropsychologists at all stages in their professional development, I hope that this will help everyone (both mentors and mentees) actively participate more with D20 to support the wellbeing of older adults in community and clinical and research settings. Thus, I hope to develop and execute initiatives to engage new and continuing members through continuing to infuse diversity, equity and inclusion principles and values in our D20 work from programming at conferences to teaching tips. We have already been doing this. For instance, belonging and inclusion are the principles and values behind the age inclusivity initiatives that will continue in D20 through the Age Friendly Universities and through Age Friendliness activities in APA. Through these activities, I hope that the D20 members will have an increased sense of belonging and feel that they have a professional home in our division.
My present initiatives are geared towards the future. I strongly believe that support is greatly needed for students wanting to go into the field of psychology, and specifically in adult development and aging and geropsychology. As many of you know, there is a need to build up the pipeline of psychologists to understand and work with older adults. This is especially true in terms of the need for more diverse students going into our field. By including DEIB principles, I will actively work to have D20 support those going into academic, research, and clinical work in the areas of adult development and aging. To that end, please look out for information and need for contributors to officially develop and add a diversity statement for Division 20.
This then leads to one more factor that I would like to talk about that keeps me, and I hope the division, going. This is simply “gratitude”. I am grateful for the colleagues who have persevered through this pandemic and continued to “lean in” to support each other and the mental health of those in the community, especially to older adults. I am very grateful and honored to have this opportunity to lead D20. I am also very grateful to everyone in the Executive Committee who provide their time and expertise to keep D20 strong. In particular, I would like to thank those who are rotating off from their D20 leadership roles this year:
- Susan Whitborne for serving three years as council representative
- J. Kaci Fairchild for serving two years as education co-chair
- Lisa Lind for serving two years as elections co-chair
- Toni Wroolie for serving two years as fellows co-chair
- Jennifer Birdsall for serving two years as awards co-chair
- Maggie Syme for serving two years as program co-chair
- Charissa Hossein for serving two years as membership co-chair
I appreciate everyone who helped show how valuable our division is and helped advance D20’s mission to “focus on growth, development, and challenges during adulthood and old age.” With a great team, I very much look forward to working with all of you in my leadership role!