Working to Break Barriers for Ethnic and Racial Minorities, WP Grad Students Receive Prestigious Fellowships from American Psychological Association

Two William Paterson University students pursuing graduate degrees in psychology have been recognized with prestigious fellowships from the American Psychological Association (APA). The fellowships are very selective with a national pool of applicants.

Nicole Guevara, who is pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology (PsyD), was selected for the APA’s Minority Fellowship Program via its doctoral Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services division. This competitive fellowship, federally funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has a selection rate of approximately seven percent. The award provides financial support for tuition, conference travel, targeted mentorship, and training opportunities.

“Through this fellowship, I will now be able to dedicate more time to advancing the equity of mental health services received by the Latiné community through research, advocacy, and self-study. This is a privilege that not many BIPOC students are afforded due to the financial responsibilities we often take on while pursuing higher education,” Guevara says. “For that, I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to advance this area of study and directly impact the Latiné community.”

WP psychology professor Aileen Torres is Guevara’s advisor for the fellowship.

Shara Rondon, who is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical and counseling psychology, was selected for the APA’s Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program, which supports the training of ethnic minority graduate students who commit to significantly improving the quality of care provided to ethnic and racial minorities with a mental or co-occurring mental and substance use disorder. 

The fellowship, overall, aims to reduce health disparities among ethnic minorities in the U.S.

“The Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program allows me to promote a safe space with my clients, community, and colleagues that recognizes the many barriers of access to mental health care in communities of color,” Rondon says. “My hope is to bring what I learn in my training to these communities and ensure that those who do the work to push past the stigma are able to access individualized mental health care.” 

WP psychology professor Pei-Wen (Winnie) Ma is serving as Rondon’s advisor for the fellowship.

07/29/24