Several faculty members, and one doctoral student received awards from the Minnesota Psychological Association in October. They include:
Susan T. Rydell Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Psychology
Robin McLeod, Ph.D., LP, is co-owner, president, and chief business development officer of Natalis Counseling & Psychology Solutions, with a primary practice location in Woodbury, Minn., and the director of training of the Twin Cities Psychology Training Program. She is also the current chair of the Minnesota Board of Psychology, and an associate faculty member of the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology at the University of Saint Mary’s University in the Twin Cities. Dr. McLeod is the 2016 Past President of MPA. She is active in APA and is a member of Class 9 of APA’s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. Dr. McLeod also is active in APA’s Division 35 (The Society for the Psychology of Women) where she is serving on the planning committee for the Feminist Practice Leadership Institute. Finally, Dr. McLeod serves on the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) as a member of the Exam Coordinating Committee.
Outstanding Graduate Faculty in Psychology Award
Aimee Murray, Psy.D., LP, is an assistant professor and Assistant Child & Adolescent Fellowship director at the University of Minnesota, where she teaches and supervises psychiatry and psychology learners. She is also an adjunct faculty at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Dr. Murray is a licensed psychologist in Minnesota and her clinical work focuses on early psychosis, including running a clinic that focuses on the assessment and treatment of youth at-risk for psychosis. She has a diverse research background including work in cognitive training, remote assessment and support, infant perceptual development, assessing organizational culture, and equine facilitated psychotherapy with adolescent populations.
Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year
Erika Brink is a doctoral candidate at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is currently pursuing her predoctoral internship at Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis, Minn. Her involvement with MPA began as the student division co-chair and developed into a role within many committees. Her largest achievement to date has been the development and implementation of a leadership program through MPA which will launch January 2021. She attributes much of her training and experience outside of academia to her mentor Dr. Robin McLoed and the MPA Governing Council.
Thomas P. Carrillo Leadership in Diversity Award
Phyllis C. Solon, Psy.D., LP, is a clinician, consultant, and trainer in South Minneapolis and a professor at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She has taught doctoral students, administrators, teachers, clinicians, clergy, and others about systems of oppression and privilege for over 25 years. She believes that every individual has the capacity for being awake and taking responsibility for the world we share. Dr. Solon is a developmental psychologist, a mom and aunt, a friend and community member, a teacher, consultant, therapist, and warrior for the elimination of racism and misogyny and the empowerment and uplifting of those who have most been denied.