Dr. Gilbert Newman Awarded the 2016 Political Advocacy Champion Award

In January, the American Psychological Association Practice Organization Political Action Committee (APAPO-PAC) held its first "It's PACademic" fundraising reception in Atlanta, GA to raise awareness and support for the PAC's Education Fund.

At the reception, Jim Diaz-Granados, PhD, APA Executive Director for Education and Vice Chair of the PAC, awarded Gilbert H. Newman, PhD, Dean of the Wright Institute, the 2016 Political Advocacy Champion Award for his leadership and commitment to advancing education advocacy. Each year, the Political Advocacy Champion award is given to one psychologist who demonstrates their commitment and dedication to increasing the political engagement and advocacy of our members and contributes to those efforts by supporting the PAC's Education Fund. Newman was honored for his tireless grassroots and political advocacy efforts on behalf of psychology education and training, as well as professional practice.

Dr. Diaz-Granados recognized a few of Dr. Newman's significant contributions to the profession of psychology, including organizing the first rally of psychology graduate students at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, meeting personally with his congressional delegation to emphasize the importance of psychologists in integrated care, and hosting fundraisers for congressional candidates who are supportive of psychology's legislative agenda. His additional role as a leader of the Federal Education Advocacy Grassroots Network, mentor for students and early career psychologists, and longstanding member of the APAPO-PAC, and his efforts to be actively engaged in advocacy at both the state and federal level have been invaluable to the field and future of the psychology workforce.