Letter from the Director of Clinical Training JASON SCHIFFMAN, PHD
This is the spirit and foundation from which the clinical program grows. Although optimistic, given the tremendous support of UCI and its
It takes no more than a glance at our
faculty and staff, it
statement of purpose (shown on page 1) to wasn’t until the fall, when I met our first realize that we have big dreams for our fledgling clinical program.
cohort of students, that
Being a new faculty member to UCI and I realized our program the Director of Clinical Training, I didn’t
would exceed even the most ambitious
know what to expect in this endeavor or
aspirations. From the prevention of
how far we could go towards reaching
serious mental illness, to addressing the
these goals. With a world-renowned
impacts of early life adversity and
reputation for scientific distinction in basic trauma, to understanding the mindpsychological science, I knew our program body connection in the process of would be ensconced within a department
aging, to disseminating scientific
of the highest academic caliber. However,
knowledge to the community, Aru,
excellence in science is necessary but not
David, Emily, Fatemah, Kit, Lychee,
sufficient in building a great program. The
Madeline, Miranda, and Rosa made it
true mettle of a clinical program derives
immediately apparent that this group is
from the spirits and hearts of those who
tackling some of the most challenging
compose and support it. Fortunately, upon and mysterious aspects of the human meeting the faculty (clinical and not
condition. Notably, each of these
clinical alike) and staff here, I knew
burgeoning scholars recognizes the
instantly that our community was replete
importance and power of equity,
with the quality of character needed for us emphasizing diversity and inclusivity in to flourish. I quickly learned that UCI’s
their work and thought, and leveraging
Department of Psychological Science is a
science to raise the floor for the most
model of excellence and kindness, with
vulnerable and marginalized among us.
everyone here leading with compassion
Brilliance, compassion, inclusivity, and
and competence, and being wholly
difference-making were on full display
dedicated to the vision of creating
every day from these students during
something more than any one of us could
the first quarter.
on our own. As just one of countless examples, our Chair, Susan Charles,
In addition to classes in stats and assessment, the cohort has been busy
tirelessly advocates for the program, doing changing the community for the better. so since its inception. Susan’s dedication is They are pursuing a service project contagious, with the entire department
intended to broaden and diversify the
fully committed to lifting the new clinical
future of the clinical psychology
program on its collective shoulders.
workforce through an outreach and
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"The true mettle of a clinical program derives from the spirits and hearts of those who compose and support it."
