Counseling Psychology Students Host 26th Annual Diversity Conference
Albany, NY (November 20, 2019) – Last month, doctoral students from the Division of Counseling Psychology hosted a packed house for their 26th annual Diversity Conference. This year’s theme was Towards a More Integrated and Authentic Society. The day’s agenda included a talk on education and liberation by Dr. Kyra Gaunt of UAlbany’s Department of Music and Theatre, panel discussion on the theme, roundtable session, and keynote by Dr. Chloe Wright on Privilege, Perception and Gender Diversity: What Impacts the Process of Creating Inclusive Spaces.
This year’s faculty advisor for the conference was Dr. Rachel E. Brenner. Dr. Brenner joined the Division of Counseling Psychology in 2018 and her research primarily examines how people respond to distress and how these responses impact mental health.
“Understanding how we as professionals can create spaces that allow those with minority and/or marginalized identities to show up authentically as themselves is essential to cultivating student learning and success. Attendees left feeling challenged, supported, and connected to each other in this shared, lifelong mission,” said Dr. Brenner. “I was delighted to support the doctoral students who organized this conference—Alye Brukow, Ramon Garcia, Phoebe Long, Allie Megale, Jake Moore, and Shangyun Zhou. They did a wonderful job putting this together and made the Division of Counseling Psychology, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, and the School of Education proud.”
The Division’s annual Diversity Conference explores the diverse ways in which helping professionals across disciplines impact communities through action, research, and practice across local, national, and international contexts. Over the years it has explored intersectionality and advocacy, marginalized communities, creating a climate of inclusion, culturally conscious research and practice, building bridges, privilege, barrier awareness, social justice and multiculturalism, and invisible identities, among others.