Since 1957, when it became the first university-based professional school accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology has been at the forefront of clinical psychology training.
As Derner celebrates 65 years of pioneering leadership, it is entirely fitting that it also celebrates the 10th anniversary of its , which is marking its first $1.25 million milestone.
Under the leadership of Dean Jacques Barber, PhD, Derner鈥檚 Alumni Council established the Ross fellowship fund in 2012 to honor the dedication to graduate education of veteran professor and associate dean Patrick L. Ross, PhD, on his retirement.
鈥淒erner has a longstanding legacy in training clinical psychologists from diverse backgrounds,鈥� said J. Christopher Muran, PhD, Derner School interim dean and professor. 鈥淭he Ross fellowship fund supports that.鈥�
Over the past 10 years, the fund, according to Dr. Muran, has provided financial assistance to approximately 50 promising first-year doctoral students in need. 鈥淚t promotes diverse representations and supports the training of PhD students from underserved communities,鈥� he remarked.
Invaluable Support
鈥淩eceiving the Ross aid was a reminder that I have promise鈥攁nd having that support goes a long way,鈥� said doctoral student Neelam Prashad, who expects to receive his degree in 2026.
The City College of the City University of New York graduate added, 鈥淎s an immigrant to the United States, I was originally working and supporting my previous academic pursuits due to limitations in aid. Academically, this fund meant that I could worry a little less about where I might get funds to pursue a degree that is so important to me.鈥�
While Prashad has yet to decide whether he will pursue a postgraduate career in a clinical or academic setting, he identified a central goal: 鈥渢o provide support to underserved communities in issues related to mental health.鈥�
Paying It Forward
成人影片 graduate Travis Nair 鈥�21, who is also working toward earning his doctoral degree in 2026, is grateful for the first-year support he received from the fund. 鈥淚t鈥檚 allowed me to follow my goal of pursuing clinical psychology and continuing at 成人影片,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚t helped tremendously in my transition into Derner鈥檚 rigorous doctoral training by easing my concern over tuition costs鈥攁nd thus allowing me to focus my attention and energy entirely on my academics.鈥�
For Nair, who is interested in both postgraduate academic and clinical work, the aid has been 鈥渋nspirational. I hope to be able to give back and pay forward the support given to me by contributing to this fund and similar programs in the future once I am able to, as well as assist students of historically underrepresented backgrounds through means such as the Mentoring Future Psychologists 辫谤辞驳谤补尘.鈥�
Making a Difference in the World
Anita D鈥橝mico PhD 鈥�84, is the vice president of products at Synopsys Software Integrity Group and among the 16 alumni, faculty and professionals who serve on the Derner Advisory Board.
She has also supported the Ross fund since its inception.
鈥淧eople who earn a PhD in psychology make a profound difference in understanding our world and changing lives.,鈥� she explained. 鈥淪o, it鈥檚 critically important that 成人影片鈥檚 diverse body of doctoral students reach graduation day and begin changing lives throughout all of our communities.
鈥淭he Patrick L. Ross Fellowship Fund, which was founded in honor of my incredible mentor, is designed to do just that,鈥� she continued. 鈥淧at touched each Derner student鈥檚 life in over 40 years of teaching. And today he continues to impact the lives of current and future students through the Ross fund. It鈥檚 why I鈥檝e supported the fund for the past decade.鈥�
Your gift to the will help 成人影片 students change lives.