Palo Alto University’s goal is to promote, on all levels, efforts to integrate understanding and scholarship related to diversity into our mission of training culturally competent clinical and research psychologists. Our vision is to create an institution that is a national model for culturally competent clinical psychology training programs. In order to create institutional excellence in cultural competency, PAU has addressed six focus areas: Funding, Institution-wide Assessment, Student and Faculty Recruitment, Culturally Competent Curriculum, Faculty and Student Development, and Institutional Culture.

PAU’s Center for Excellence in Diversity 

The Center for Excellence in Diversity was established in September 2010 as an umbrella organization at the University to initiate, promote, and coordinate activities pertinent to diversity.  The goals of the Center are to

(a) educate and train students to be effective in serving diverse populations

(b) establish institutionalized procedures and programs at the University that promote excellence in diversity

(c) develop national leadership and recognition from others

(d) support a university climate conducive to open diversity-related dialogue

(e) provide the opportunity for concentrated research related to diverse populations

(f) support student groups for those interested in ethnic and sexual minority issues

(g) enhance opportunities for professionals specifically interested in serving diverse underserved individuals within community mental health settings.

Affiliated Faculty:  Kimberly Balsam, PhD, Alinne Barrera PhD, Leonard Beckum, PhD, Peter Goldblum PhD, Ricardo Munoz, PhD, Sita Patel, PhD, Teceta Tormala PhD, Lynn Waelde PhD, Megan Speciale, PhD LMHC, NCC, and Darlene Chen, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT

Graduate Assistants:  Helen Ma, Celeste Poe, LMFT

Contact Information:
Center for Diversity
Palo Alto University
1791 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
diversitycenter@paloaltou.edu