Message from the Assistant Chair of Equity and Inclusion, Nazish Salahuddin, Ph.D. 

Dr. Naz Salahuddin The worldwide, righteous protests against anti-Blackness are a call to action for us all. Action to uproot anti-Blackness and other forms of oppression from academia are long overdue. We must acknowledge the ways that the field of psychology, and higher education more broadly, serve to maintain systems of oppression. The Department of Psychology is committed to interrogating our policies, curricula, and climate to identify and dismantle anti-Blackness, racism, and oppression. 

Thus, the Department created the role of Assistant Chair for Equity and Inclusion to coordinate and advance our Department’s anti-racism and anti-oppression efforts, and to ensure this momentum is harnessed. I am honored to serve as the first Assistant Chair for Equity and Inclusion in our department. With a group of committed faculty, staff and students, I will initially focus on our anti-racism and anti-oppression work in three interrelated areas: (1) Curriculum and classroom environment, (2) Departmental climate, (3) Programming and professional development.

To improve transparency and communication about this work, I will share the Department of Psychology’s anti-racism, anti-oppression, and inclusion initiatives on this page below. If you have an idea or a concern that you would like to share, please email me or contact the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at psycinclusion [at] umd.edu or click here.  To report an incident of hate or bias in the Department of Psychology, click here. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Department of Psychology's Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement

As a human, behavior-centered discipline, we value a strong understanding of diversity.  Diversity refers to differences in race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, abilities, class, nationality, and other factors. The Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland is committed to creating a respectful and affirming climate in which all students, staff, and faculty are inspired to achieve their full potential. 
We believe that actively fostering an affirming environment strengthens our department as a whole. A department that values and celebrates diversity among its students, staff and faculty is best able to develop the strengths and talents of all members of the department community.
We take a multi-pronged approach to creating an affirming climate within the Department of Psychology by:
  • Attracting, supporting and retaining faculty, students, and staff that represent the diversity of our community and field
  • Cultivating a culture of acceptance and inclusion in which diversity is integral, authentic, intrinsically valued, and visible
  • Welcoming honest and open discussion regarding diversity issues
  • Incorporating diversity as a central component of our academic curriculum
  • Enhancing awareness of diversity issues through ongoing research and applied work
  • Developing and strengthening relationships with a diverse community and international partners

Department of Psychology’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee Members

Faculty and Staff Members

  • Nazish Salahuddin (Co-Chair)
  • Paul Hanges (Co-Chair)
  • Fanita Tyrell
  • Monica Kearney
  • Jennifer Wessel
  • CJ Seitz-Brown
  • Jessica Magidson

Graduate Student Members

  • Jae Eun Lee
  • Jose Lima-Rosas

Undergraduate Student Members

  • Kimberly Crawford
  • Juhi Narula
  • M Pease
  • Michael Spooner

Talk to us!

  • Do you have an idea about how to improve diversity and inclusion in our Psychology department?
  • Do you have a concern you would like to raise with the committee?
  • We welcome all feedback, ideas, and concerns: fill out this anonymous survey, email the committee at psycinclusion [at] umd.edu, or reach out directly to the committee co-chairs, Naz Salahuddin (nsalah [at] umd.edu) or Paul Hanges (eglasper [at] umd.edu).

UMD Campus Resources:

Award/Scholarship Opportunities: 

Psychology Related Resources:

Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
Women/Gender
Ability/Disability
Nationality/International Issues
Multi-Issue/General Diversity

Student Caregiver