News 2008

image JFK University Announces the First Fully Accredited Counseling Psychology Program Focusing on Latino/ Hispanic Cultural Competence Training
image Museum Studies Student, Muriel Maffre, Knighted by French Ministry of Culture
image JFKU Museum Studies to Receive 2008 CAMMY Award

For more news from JFK University, see our quarterly newsletter, Connections.

JFK University Announces the First Fully Accredited Counseling Psychology Program Focusing on Latino/ Hispanic Cultural Competence Training

JFK University has received final approval of its new counseling psychology master's program from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the accrediting body for California colleges and universities. Effective as of Aug. 20, 2008, the approval makes the JFKU program the first fully accredited counseling psychology program focusing on cultural competence training in mental health and counseling skills for serving the Latino/ Hispanic community. Classes begin in fall 2008.

"Latinos are one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, yet the availability of training, counseling and mental services that are responsive to their cultural needs lags far behind," noted William D. Parham, Ph.D., ABPP, dean of JFKU's Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP). "Of the half-dozen counseling psychology master's programs in the nation that offer any emphasis on Latino mental health, JFKU's is the only one that incorporates the context of Latino mental health in every course and practicum. Our graduates will be among the nation's most culturally competent mental health counselors able to address the underserved Hispanic population."

The new master's program in counseling psychology is an extension of JFKU's successful counseling psychology programs in Pleasant Hill, Berkeley and Campbell, Calif., and will be based in Aptos. Like its sister programs, the Aptos program will prepare students to work with diverse communities by combining academic work with supervised practicum. Unique to Aptos is an added layer of counseling expertise; the program pioneers Hispanic cultural competency training outside of electives or emphases, holistically integrating it across the counseling psychology program's core curriculum and field work.

"We are very excited to receive this final approval and begin accepting students into this new program," stated Gail Kinsley-Dame, chair of JFKU-GSPP's counseling psychology program. "By the time they graduate, our Aptos students will be prepared for licensure and not only trained, but also experienced at addressing the specialized needs of Hispanic populations in Santa Cruz County, or any other region."

For program information, please visit www.jfku.edu/santacruz.

JFKU Museum Studies to Receive 2008 CAMMY Award

California Association of Museums (CAM) is delighted to announce that John F. Kennedy University's Museum Studies program will be the recipient of the 2008 CAMMY Award. The CAMMY Award recognizes extraordinary museum supporters, professionals, and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to California museums. The award highlights the excellent work of an individual or group in one or more of the following areas: Leadership, Patronage, and Service to the Field. Past recipients include: the James Irvine Foundation; Huell Howser, Director/Producer of KCET's California's Gold; the J. Paul Getty Museum; the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the Hewlett-Packard Foundation; U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein; and Ed Able.

The Museum Studies program at John F. Kennedy University is being recognized in the category of Service to the Field for the involvement of their alumni and faculty in museum associations and their commitment to furthering and strengthening the museum field, especially in California. Jim DeMersman, the President of CAM's Board of Directors will present the award during the CAMMY Luncheon on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at the CAM Conference in Fresno. The University's President, Dr. Steven Stargardter, and Marjorie Schwarzer, professor and chair of the Museum Studies Department, will jointly accept the award.

For additional information about the CAMMY Luncheon or Seeds of Change: CAM in the Heart of California (CAM's statewide conference):
please visit http://www.calmuseums.org/conferences_and_workshops/2008overview.html or
contact the CAM Office at (831) 471-9970 or admin@calmuseums.org.