Leadership Experience

Personable, Qualified, and Prepared

One would be hard pressed to find an individual as personable, qualified, and prepared as Dr. Melba Vasquez to assume the position of President of APA. I take this position from the perspective of having known Melba as friend and colleague since she began her professional career. During this time span, I have been overly impressed by the motivation and dedication that she has demonstrated in acquiring the extensive knowledge and rich experiences that have enabled her to assume leadership roles at all levels of APA governance. While working for the benefit of all APA members, I especially respect the time and dedication that she has taken to give a voice to many groups that have often felt disenfranchised from full participation in APA. As a result of her work, she has earned the respect and admiration of practitioners, educators, and researchers alike. Given this fact, it follows that Melba is a unique candidate for the position of President that all of psychology can support.

J. Manuel (Manny) Casas, Ph.D. President, Division 45 Fellow, Divisions 17 & 45 NMCS Distinguished Elder Professor, Counseling Psychology University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

I have a long history of dedicated service to psychology. I have the leadership skills, strong work ethic, motivation, and collaborative, inclusive style to promote the growth you want and deserve in our association. I enjoy bringing together diverse groups of individuals to tackle complex challenges in an atmosphere of respect, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment as we reach to the highest ideals of our profession. The following is an annotated summary of many of my leadership activities.

Major Leadership Experiences

APA Board of Directors (2007-2009)
Past President APA Division 35 (1998-1999)
Past President APA Division 17 (2001-2002)
APA Council of Representatives Div 17 (1994-1997)
APA Council of Representatives Div 45 (1989-1992)
APA Council of Representatives Div 42 (2004-2006)
Past President Texas Psychological Association (2006)
Chair/Member Board of Professional Affairs (1994-1997)
Chair/Member Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest (1991-1993)
Member, Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (2001-2004)
Member, Policy & Planning Board (1998-2000)
Member, Committee of Women in Psychology (1990-1992)
Member, Ethics Committee (1986-1989)
Member, Ethics Committee Ethics Code Revision Subcommittee (1992 & 2002 Codes)
Member, Board of Social & Ethical Responsibility in Psychology (1981-1984)

APA Presidential Appointments:

Co-Chair, Task Force on Review of Council Representation (2008-2009)
Chair, Task Force for Revision of Model Licensing Act (2006-2009)
Member, APA Council of Representatives Task Force on Report on the World Congress Against Racism (2004-2005)
Member, APA Council of Representatives Task Force on Enhancing Diversity (2005)
Member, Task Force on Public Policy, Work, and Families (2004)
Member, Board of Educational Affairs Advisory Council on Committee on Accreditation (2003-2004)
Chair, Council Committee on the Revisions of Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (1994-1998)

Selected Awards & Honors

Fellow Status in APA Divisions 1, 17, 35, 42, 44, 45, 49, 56; Member in Div 9, 29, 31, 51, 52
Diplomate in Counseling Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology
Distinguished Practitioner, National Academies of Practice
Over 30 awards for distinguished service, advocacy, mentoring

Scholarly Activities

Over 65 Book Chapters and Journal Articles on ethics, ethnic minority psychology, multicultural ethics, psychotherapy and counseling, supervision and training, psychology of women
3rd edition of Pope/Vasquez Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide (2007)
Pope/Vasquez, How to survive and thrive as a therapist: Information, ideas and resources for psychologists in practice. (2005)
Campbell/Vasquez/Behnke/Kinscherff, Ethics for Psychologists: A Commentary on the APA Ethics Code (accepted for publication)
Served on Editorial Boards of 10 journals