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Because Alliant’s student body is largely made up of graduate students, an enormous amount of research is done at the University, much of it in conjunction with masters’ or doctoral theses. (You can search the topics of Alliant’s doctoral students from the Alliant library’s website.) Some students work on their doctoral research in research clusters with faculty; others choose to explore an area of their own interest. Alliant faculty are also actively involved in research in their fields. The web pages for faculty members list their areas of research interest, as well as their publications. Much research is carried on through “institutes,” organizations affiliated with Alliant.
In addition, students’ academic experiences are enriched by University-wide initiatives focused on building multicultural skills and awareness. Descriptions of these initiatives and organizations are listed below.
The Institute for Behavior Assessment and Research (IBAR) provides resources for faculty, clinicians, students and the community to create research that is meaningful and culturally responsible. Its goal is to enable research on topics that will yield useful and timely results. It maintains a database of psychological, demographic, and psychosocial and other test data as well as a registry list of experts and researchers who are potential consultants and collaborators.
Researchers may apply to submit their data for analysis or use IBAR’s existing data for their own research. All data in the database are anonymous and meet the standards of confidentiality of the American Psychological Association.
Director,
Diana Sullivan Everstine, PhD
The Institute on Disability and Health Psychology (IDHP) promotes distributive justice and quality of life for people with disabilities through research, training, education, and advocacy. The main activities of the IDHP are policy, research, education, training, and dissemination of knowledge, evaluation, and consultation. The IDHP supports research that can inform systems, policy makers, providers, and legislators relative to disability. Goals include a) increasing representation of people with disabilities in psychology, b) promoting training of clinical psychologists on cultural competence in working with clients with disabilities, and c) conducting research in disability that informs the work of psychologists. The IDHP conducts research projects on a range of topics, including deaf prisoners, disability and ethics, Disability-Affirmative Therapy, intellectual disabilities and health, and pain experiences and coping. Some of IDHP’s current activities include developing a model graduate psychology course on Disability, Ethnicity, and Culture, developing ethical guidelines for training of graduate psychology students with disabilities, and developing a protocol for doctoral psychology dissertations in American Sign Language.
Executive Director,
Rhoda Olkin, PhD, Distinguished Professor, California School of Professional Psychology
Associate Director,
Diane Zelman, PhD, Professor, California School of Professional Psychology
The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma
The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) is an international resource and training center that focuses directly and specifically on violence prevention, assessment and intervention across a wide social spectrum. IVAT works closely with the Family Violence & Sexual Assault Institute (FVSAI) to achieve the missions of each. IVAT also provides logistical support for the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan (NPEIV). The Institute interfaces with Alliant International University’s academic schools and centers to provide educational training. IVAT is a comprehensive resource, training and professional services center concerned with all aspects of violence, abuse and trauma, including family, child, teen, and elder maltreatment as well as sexual assault issues.
IVAT bridges gaps and comprehensively examines strategies that prevent violence, abuse and trauma. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for those affected by violence, abuse, and trauma on local, national, and an international levels by sharing and disseminating vital information, improving collaborations and networking, conducting research and trainings, assisting with direct professional services, program evaluation, and consulting to promote violence-free living.
Founder and President, Robert Geffner, PhD, ABPP, ABPN, Clinical Research Professor
International and Multicultural Education, Research, Interventions and Training (I-MERIT) provides an institutional home for the University’s diversity initiatives, which stem from Alliant’s identity as a professional practice university in a multicultural and international context. The university’s updated diversity plan, adopted in 2006-2007, establishes diversity goals, specifically, the achievement of diverse student, staff and faculty bodies; the full inclusion of multicultural and international content in the curricula of all academic programs; and the creation of a campus climate that is welcoming and affirming of people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and belief systems. Additionally, the diversity plan established multicultural/international competencies for students, staff and faculty. Notably, the focus on “multiculturalism” is broad, addressing issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, socioeconomic status, ability, and more.
I-MERIT is supported by an Associate Provost, an Associate Director, and Campus I-MERIT Committees, which are composed of students, staff, and faculty, as well as policy-related committees, like the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious/Spiritual Observance and the Bias Committee. I-MERIT provides resources for staff and faculty professional development, culturally responsive teaching and curricular materials, and consultation to programs and departments around diversity issues. Moreover, the Campus Committees sponsor events and activities that educate, celebrate, and build community.
Director,
Kumea Shorter-Gooden, PhD, Associate Provost
Associate Director,
Sheila J. Henderson, PhD, Visiting Associate Professor, California School of Professional Psychology
Latino/a Achievement Initiatives
The Latino/a Achievement Initiatives facilitate progress toward Alliant’s vision of specializing in higher education access and success for traditionally underserved Latino/a populations. The Initiative is guided by a holistic perspective of education that honors the whole person and considers the student not only as an individual, but also as someone who is a member of a family and a community. It works to create a university culture characterized by a vibrant Latino-friendly environment that integrates culturally sensitive and competent approaches to education and training in support of students’ higher education goals. The Initiative also offers expertise about Latinos/as to other students and academic communities.
Values
Respeto: Respect in interacting with others
Personalismo: Personal interest with others, building trust and confidence
Simpatía: Development of polite, courteous, cooperative social relations
Familia: Integration and involvement of the family beyond the nuclear family
Saludos: Ensuring all people are welcomed and comfortable
Program Objectives
• To reach out to California’s Latino/a community through ¡Adelante con Alliant!.
• To work with community partners to develop educational pipelines for Latino/a students, leading to higher education.
• To recruit Latino/a students to pursue undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Alliant.
• To support the retention, graduation, and career placement of Latino/a students by providing culturally sensitive and relevant programs and services.
• To raise funds for scholarships to support Latino/a students in reaching their higher education goals.
• To invite the involvement of Alliant’s Latino/a alumni.
Director,
Guadalupe R. Corona, EdD
The Rockway Institute, Alliant’s National Think Tank for LGBT Research & Public Policy, brings together scientific research and professional expertise to counter antigay prejudice and inform public policies affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The Institute’s view is that public opinion, policies, and programs should be shaped by the facts about LGBT lives, not by political ideology.
The institute aims to organize the most knowledgeable social scientists, mental health professionals, and physicians in the United States to provide accurate information about LGBT issues to the media, legislatures, and courts. It has assembled a large group of professionals around the country to participate in this public policy work.
The Rockway Institute also conducts targeted research projects to address the nation’s most pressing LGBT public policy questions. Current and planned projects are on same-sex couples, lesbian/gay parents and their children, family of origin relations of LGBT adults, LGBT youth and schools, the effects of minority stress on LGBT persons’ mental health, and LGBT issues in the workplace. Students from all degree programs within the university may become involved in these projects by establishing a mentoring relationship with one of the 21 core faculty members at Alliant’s various schools who are affiliated with the Institute. The Institute organizes a sequence of online courses on LGBT issues that students in any graduate program at Alliant can take.
Also, in Academic Year 2009-2010, Rockway launched an online Certificate Program in LGBT Human Services for external learners including: (1) pre-K through grade 12 teachers, school counselors, and school administrators; (2) higher education student services professionals; (3) directors and staff of LGBT community nonprofit organizations; (4) licensed mental health professionals; (5) clergy and pastoral counselors serving LGBT members of their faith communities; and (5) medical care professionals such as nurses, nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, and their assistants. Continuing Education units are offered for these online workshops and courses. For more information, visit the website at http://rockway.alliant.edu.
Director,
Robert-Jay Green, PhD, Distinguished Professor, California School of Professional Psychology
The Training and Research Institute for Emotionally Focused Therapy at Alliant advances Emotionally Focused Therapy through providing 1) training, 2) scholarship, and 3) and community services.
Training. TRI EFT Alliant provides training and support to students, interns, and professionals in the practice of EFT through workshops, externships, advanced externships, core skills trainings, supervision, internships, practica, courses, training materials, and social events.
Scholarship. TRI EFT Alliant engages in and supports scholarship that advances the theory and practice of EFT through producing peer reviewed published research and professional presentations, attracting and supporting leading researchers, obtaining external funding, and collaborating with leading researchers and institutions.
Community Services. TRI EFT Alliant provides direct services to the public through Alliant based couple and family clinics and disseminates information to educate the public through talks, written materials, and media events.
TRI EFT Alliant supports and operates in collaboration with the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT).
Director,
Scott R. Woolley, PhD, Distinguished Professor, California School of Professional Psychology
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