The Role of Psychology in a Liberal Arts Education: An Interview with Diane F. Halpern

Abstract

Diane F. Halpern is the Past-President of the American Psychological Association (APA) and Director of the Berger Institute for Work, Family, and Children and Professor of Psychology at Claremont McKenna College. Her earlier appointments include professor of psychology, Chair and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at California State University, San Bernardino. Her teaching, service to psychology, and research have been recognized with many awards, including the 2002 Outstanding Teaching Award from the Western Psychological Association, Wang Family Excellence Award, American Psychological Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching, Distinguished Career Contributions to Education and Training, G. Stanley Hall Lecture, and the Outstanding Professor Award from California State University-Statewide. Maureen McCarthy is the Director of Precollege and Undergraduate Programs for the APA. She provides leadership and management oversight of programs and initiatives to enhance the teaching and learning of psychology in high schools, community colleges, and undergraduate programs; coordinates programs with initiatives of national organizations, projects, and agencies that share the mission of enhancing teaching and faculty development; and initiates research pertaining to needs, achievements, and characteristics of undergraduate psychology. Effective spring 2005, she became a faculty member at Kennesaw State University, where she teaches experimental psychology and research methods.