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Students’ academic experiences are enriched by the University-wide initiatives and research institutes listed below.
| Initiatives
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Research Institutes
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I-MERIT provides leadership in the implementation of the University’s diversity initiatives. Alliant has established institutional diversity objectives as well as multicultural/international competencies for all students, faculty, and staff/administrators. I-MERIT sets the pace for full inclusion of multicultural and international content and pedagogical practice respectful to diverse learners 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. Notably, I-MERIT’s focus on “multiculturalism” and “internationalism” is broad, addressing issues of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, socioeconomic status, ability, and more.
I-MERIT is supported by an Associate Provost and Campus I-MERIT Committees, which are composed of students, staff, and faculty, as well as policy-related committees. 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.
Latino/a Achievement Initiatives
Alliant seeks distinction as an institution specializing in higher education access and success for traditionally underserved Latino/a populations, as well as offering expertise about Latinos/as to other students and academic communities. The Latino/a Achievement Initiative (LAI) was created to facilitate progress toward this vision, guided by a holistic perspective of education that honors the whole person and considers the student not only as an individual but as someone who is a member of a family and a community. Our mission is to create a university culture characterized by a vibrant Latino-friendly environment, which integrates culturally-sensitive and competent approaches to education and training in support of students’ higher education goals. LAI is guided by specific 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
and specific objectives:
- To recruit Latina/o 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
CSPP Research Initiatives
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 has conducted research projects on a range of topics, including ruding barriers in assessment courses for graduate students with disabilities, disability and ethics, and Disability-Affirmative Therapy. Some of IDHP’s current activities include an internet intervention for pain and stress management; developing a model graduate psychology course on treating clients with chronic illness/disability; and understanding the experiences of microaggressions towards women with disabilities.
Executive Director,
Rhoda Olkin, PhD, Distinguished Professor, California School of Professional Psychology
Associate Director,
Diane Zelman, PhD, Professor, California School of Professional Psychology
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.
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