Spotlight on the Mental Health Consortium
The Alliant Educational Foundation (AEF) officially launched it’s highly collaborative “mental health consortium” in 2020, placing California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) graduate students in clinical psychology at a variety of youth-serving non-profit organizations throughout San Diego County. At each site, CSPP students bolster the capacity of existing organizations to better address the mental health needs of underserved children, youth, and their families.
Now at the beginning of its third year, we encourage you to learn more by watching the Foundation’s brand new “Salon” webinar on the topic for an in-depth view of how this initiative works. For best results, download the file to watch the video in its entirety.
New Dr. Kazumi Nishio Research Grants
The purpose of new Kazumi Nishio Research Grants is to deepen the understanding of Asian and Asian American mental health, to promote the mental health of Asians and Asian Americans, and to provide grant opportunities for international research studies.
Due to the generosity of the late Dr. Kazumi Nishio, a total of $21,000 in inaugural funding was just announced for 2022. Funding was made available to current CSPP PhD and PsyD graduate students, CSPP core and adjunct faculty, and CSPP-Japan legacy faculty.
A total of five proposals focusing on Asian or Asian American mental health have just been awarded and we look forward to sharing more as the projects unfold.
New Scholarships for Students
In addition to our traditional scholarship programs each year, the Board of Directors of the Foundation recently approved a brand new, longer-term scholarship program aimed at providing multi-year tuition support for a smaller group of Alliant Ed Foundation “Fellows.”
New Fellows will receive an annual scholarship of $5,000 for either 4 years (PsyD) or 5 years (PhD). Their selection will be based on their alignment with the vision, mission and core values of the Foundation, their financial need, and merit as determined by the recommendation of faculty admissions review panels. Preference will be given to applicants who meet these criteria and are first generation college/graduate school students.
New Programs on the Horizon
The Foundation’s Program Advisory Committee is completing work on a new “student emergency fund” for Alliant students who find themselves in the midst of a financial crisis while attending the university. Our hope is to have this program up and running by the end of the calendar year.
Additionally, the Foundation’s Board of Directors recently spent valuable time with Vincent Atchity, President & CEO of Mental Health Colorado and the Equitas Project, learning more about current reform issues in policing and mental health. Their time together, along with input from several recent online “salon” sessions, is helping to shape the trajectory of how the Foundation can best support efforts in this critical arena.
CSPP Alumni Support
The Foundation was pleased to join with Alliant International University, CSPP, and the Office of Alumni Relations to co-host the first CSPP alumni gathering in three years at the recent APA convention in Minneapolis, MN on August 5. Delayed several years due to COVID, the spirited gathering of 50+ alumni and friends offered a rewarding chance to reconnect, share updates, and celebrate the strength of our communities. Kudos to Sarah Garro, director of Alumni Relations, for spearheading the successful event.
A Special Note from Sarah Garro, Director of Alumni Relations at Alliant International University
Alumni & Friends Gatherings
It was wonderful to see CSPP alumni come together with faculty, staff, students, friends, and university partners at our gathering during APA in August. Many thanks to those who attended, chatted with the students and got to know CSPP Dean, David Stewart. Visit Alliant’s Facebook page for highlights on #CSPPatAPA.
We look forward to seeing our Fresno PhD in Clinical Psychology alumni at the next alumni event. Join us for networking and reconnecting on the Fresno campus Saturday, October 22 from 12 pm to 3 pm. Details at: https://forms.office.com/r/
Legacy Giving to Support Generations to Come
Did you know there are creative ways to support the Alliant Educational Foundation’s ongoing impact on students for years to come? Such giving techniques are called “planned gifts,” because with thoughtful planning, donors can create a lasting legacy.
The Foundation has been fortunate to receive several legacy/planned gifts over the past few years and is available to discuss how donors might wish to make a long-term impact through a gift that costs them nothing during their lifetime. Please let us know if you’d like to learn more. You can also access an overview of how these gifts work by reading more here.