Vice President for CommunicationsLydia HaRim Ahn
I am an assistant professor in counseling psychology at Arizona State University, and I direct the Race and Relationships (R&R) Lab. Division 17 has been and is my professional home, which has deepened my commitment to engage in leadership initiatives. Last year, I was the reading discussion co-chair and supported a university talk during Dr. Helen Neville’s Justice and Joy Presidential Initiative. Currently, I am the community engagement chair and am involved in the Early Career Psychologist committee. These experiences have shaped my leadership skills in highlighting the importance of communication within and outside our division. Communication builds community by bringing people together, and is how we can continue bringing visibility to our field. My hope is that we can figure out the best ways to effectively communicate with one another to support the mission and values of SCP. Through my experiences, I would develop and welcome ideas to use communication and technology as ways to increase support, belonging, and cohesion within our field. In line with SCP’s mission, I strive to uproot anti-Black racism and promote liberation in our field and in the community. As an Asian woman and international faculty member, I continuously reflect on my own positionality, unlearn harmful messages while becoming more critically conscious, continue to learn about historical oppression, and engage in cultural humility. I acknowledge psychology’s historical role in contributing to anti-Black racism and work towards creating a just and equitable psychological field through walking the walk. I aim to continue repairing historical injustices and contribute to SCP’s mission. In this role, I envision centering marginalized voices through thinking of creative ways to utilize social media, helping to develop webinars, and using the newsletter to highlight SCP and bring people together. I hope to collaborate with SCP and continue the works of our leaders by centering those who have been excluded and oppressed, fighting for social justice, and promoting liberation for all. |
