Russia- U.S. Psychology Skype
On Feb 13, Professor Regina Erchova’s psychology program in Kolomna, Russia,
connected by Skype for one hour with Fordham University in New York. Kolomna
students and faculty spoke on the important role of Russian psychologists in World War
Two. http://files.mail.ru/5894118D687948B697846A18EE6E317A
The Manhattan Psychological Association was represented by Yulia Kamenskova
(Pace U), Henry Solomon (Marymount), and Harold Takooshian (Fordham). Rien Chy
was the U.S. webmaster.
Nadine Kaslow speaks in New York City
On February 13, over 20 colleagues and students at Fordham University
gathered to hear Professor Nadine Kaslow of Emory University offer a conversation
hour on “Where is U.S. psychology headed?” Despite her hectic schedule as the
recent President of the 82,000-member American Psychological Association in 2014,
Dr. Kaslow spoke of many trends in U.S. psychology during her Presidential year
2014: Increasing “integrated health care,” analysis of “big data,” need for more
psychology internships, restructuring of APA governance, creative careers for
psychologists, and APA responses to timely issues like terrorism and human rights.
Dr. Kaslow also spoke in personal terms about her “other life” as a dancer during her
doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and her on-going efforts to link
psychological science and practice with the creative arts–such as her consulting work
with the Atlanta Ballet.
Two discussants also participated in this conversation hour: Dean James
Hennessy of the Fordham Graduate School of Education, and Dr. Leonard Davidman,
President of the NYS Psychological Association.
Earlier that Friday, Dr. Kaslow met with students in a dance classroom at the
Ailey School, where her colleague Dr. Linda Hamilton, the Wellness Consultant for
the Ailey School, offers a weekly workshop on occupational stress for Ailey/Fordham
BFA dancers.
MPA-Fordham forum discussed leadership at the U.N.
How does the United Nations cope with global threats like ISIS and terrorism?
On March 12, 2015, over 20 students and faculty filled Fordham-LC room 400,
where Organizational Leadership Professor Lewis Schlossinger hosted a timely
symposium on “Global Leadership: How effective is the United Nations?” The
distinguished speakers included Ambassador Hamid Al-Bayati (on video), author
Dr. Dinesh Sharma (by skype from Chicago), publisher Dr. Parviz Morewedge,
and U.N. Youth Representative Isis Quijada. Fordham will offer two new courses
on the United Nations for undergraduates this May (with Professor Al-Bayati) and in
fall of 2015 (with Professor Sharma). For any details on the forum, contact
lschlossinger@fordham.edu
The next Organizational Leadership symposium is set for March 30,
Monday at 6-8 pm in LC room 513, when Professor Helen Rozelman chairs a
forum with four experts on “How effective is the U.N. in promoting human
rights?” For any details, contact helen@drhelenrozelman.com
MPA-Fordham forum discussed human rights at the U.N.
How well does the United Nations cope with global threats to human rights?
On March 30, 2015, over 20 students and faculty filled Fordham-LC room 513,
where Organizational Leadership Professor Helen Rozelman hosted a timely forum
on “How effective is the U.N. in using mediation to promote human rights?” The
two distinguished speakers were His Excellency Hamid Al-Bayati, the recent
Ambassador of Iraq to the U.N., and author Dinesh Sharma (by skype from
SUNY-Binghamton). Dr. Al-Bayati also screened a new video of his celebration of
the International Day of Happiness at the United Nations on 20 March 2015.
Fordham will offer two new courses on the United Nations for undergraduates this
May (with Professor Al-Bayati) and in fall of 2015 (with Professor Sharma). For
any details on the forum, contact takoosh@aol.com
MPA-Fordham forum discussed careers in applied psychology
“What can students do in college to best prepare for a future career in applied
psychology?” On April 8, 2015, over 25 students studying I-O psychology heard five
experts discuss this question at a Fordham-LC “Forum on Applied Psychology.” The
forum began with a 15-minute screening of “Psychology careers for the 21st Century”
produced by the American Psychological Association (APA). Abigail Woods
Ferreira of the Fordham-LC Career Center discussed “Career and graduate school
options with a BS degree,” including many free services her center offers careeroriented
students. Dr. Ira S. Richman, the founder and President of Greater
Performances, Inc., described his 40 years of work in “Organizational development.”
Dr. Suzanne Roff Wexler, the founder and President of Compass Point Consulting,
described her pioneering work with APA on the “Psychologically Healthy Workplace
Awards.” Dr. William M. Verdi, an alumnus and past-President of the Fordham-LC
Psi Chi Honor Society, discussed his work with Door3 Consulting on “Talent
management and assessment.” Dr. Ann M. Winton, a licensed psychologist, described
her pioneering work in “Forensic psychology.” Interestingly, all of these five
psychology experts began with other undergraduate majors before switching into
applied psychology.
On May 3, Fordham-LC will host a conference for students and professionals on
“The role of love in a psychologically healthy workplace,” arranged with the Division
of OCW (Organization, Consulting, and Work Psychology) of the NYS Psychological
Association. For details on the April 8 or May 3 forums, contact takoosh@aol.com.
For details on the experts who spoke on April 8:
Abigail Ferreira: www.fordham.edu/info/20072/career_services
Suzanne Roff Wexler: www.compasspoint.biz
William M. Verdi: www.Door3.com
NYSPA-OCW: www.nyspa.org/?page=OCWDivision
APA Psychological Healthy Workplace: www.phwa.org
MPA-Fordham forum discussed “healthy cities”
“What can society do to make its cities more healthy?”
On April 16, 2015, 25
urban psychology students heard four diverse experts discuss this question at a
Fordham-LC urban studies forum on “Healthy Cities in the 21st Century.” The forum
moderator Harold Takooshian screened a four-minute World Habitat Day message by
Dr. Joan Clos, the Director of United Nations Habitat office, on the value of urban
planning to make cities a benefit rather than a problem for global society. Arline
Bronzaft, an international consultant on noise research, addressed the psychological
impacts of urban noise. Attorney Charles Shamoon of the NYC Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) described how his NYC Noise Code, and how this has
become a model for other regions as far as Australia. Marketing expert Michael Noel
of London-based Futerra Sustainability Communications, described his work with
private sector corporations to promote sustainability in urban planning. Environmental
psychologist Peter Walker, once an urban planner in Seattle, detailed how climate
change is now putting thousands of coastal cities like New York at risk of future
flooding. This forum was arranged in concert with the Manhattan Psychological
Association, and MPA past-President Henry Solomon presented each speaker with a
Certificate of recognition for sharing their expertise with Fordham students.
For any details on the April 16 forum, contact takoosh@aol.com.
For details on the experts who spoke on April 16:
Michael Noel: www.futerra.co/uk
Arline Bronzaft: http://www.grownyc.org/
Henry Solomon: www.mpapsych.org
Charles Shamoon: www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/categories/environment.page
Peter Walker: www.ngochs.org
UN Habitat: unhabitat.org
MPA psychology panels offered at Hunter Convention
On April 26, over 500 students and faculty from as far as Washington DC
convened at the 43rd Hunter College Psychology Convention in New York City. The
day’s dozens of activities included three one-hour panels organized by the Manhattan
Psychological Association (MPA), in cooperation with SPSSI-New York.
Martha Ann Carey of Philadelphia chaired a panel on “Cross-cultural
psychology,” with Jason R. Young as discussant. Deborah Harris O’Brien spoke on
her “Adventures in Kyrgyzstan.” Priyanka Srinivasan presented her survey findings
on “Feminism across cultures.” Isis Quijada prepared a message on “The United
Nations: Opportunities for students.”
Henry Solomon chaired a panel on “Psychology in New York City: People,”
with NYSPA President Leonard Davidman as discussant. Harold Takooshian spoke
on the “History of psychology in Manhattan.” Andreina C. Vegas spoke on “James
McKeen Cattell: Architect of U.S. psychology.” Sarah E. O’Brien spoke on “John B.
Watson: From classroom to board room.”
Rochelle M. Balter chaired a panel on on “Psychology in New York City:
Programs.” Sally Capanzano offered a checklist on admissions to 35 graduate
psychology programs in Greater New York. Thomas Mellios spoke on the 39-year
history of GABSI, the Greek American Behavioral Science Association, formed in
1976. Debbie Joffe Ellis discussed the brilliant career of her late husband, “Albert
Ellis’ impact in NYC.”
Participants were invited to future NYC activities: October 30 Psychology Day
at the United Nations, May 3 on the “psychologically healthy workplace” at Fordham,
May 21 international reception at Fordham, June 14 memorial for Richard Wexler at
Fordham. For details, www.mpapsych.org or www.spssi.org/ny
Over 200 joined the day’s-end reception at Hunter, where MPA and SPSSI
shared a sheet cake with the conference.
Richard Wexler considered himself to be a healer, lover, and warrior. He fought for what he believed in. He deeply believed in the power of love and gave generously of his time to assist others. He heroically battled cancer until succumbing in December 2014 but not before touching many lives through his bravery and compassion. 
