It Happens at
Xavier
JANUARY 2014
Xavier to Host State’s First Clinical Psy.D. Program
Xavier and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
(TCSPP) have reached a formal agreement to launch a
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program on the
Xavier campus to begin in the fall semester of 2014. The
program will be the first of its kind offered in the state of
Louisiana and the only Clinical Psy.D. Program offered in
the City of New Orleans.
The agreement was signed on December 4, 2014 by XULA
President Norman C. Francis, J.D. and TCSPP National
President Michele Nealon-Woods, Psy.D. The program’s
five-year curriculum is based on TCSPP’s Chicago Campus’
well-respected Clinical Psy.D. Program, and will be managed
by the academic leadership from that campus.
The new program opens the door to well-qualified candidates from Xavier and other universities in the New Orleans
region seeking clinical psychology graduate studies. TCSPP is
very familiar with the quality of Xavier students. In the past
three years nine Xavier graduates have entered graduate
programs at TCSPP across its three campuses.
The need for mental health service providers is well
documented following Hurricane Katrina. Many mental
health professionals left the region after the storm, and the
City of New Orleans is slowly rebuilding its mental health
infrastructure. Training of culturally competent practitioners
who intend to practice locally is critical to meeting the needs
of those with mental health and behavioral health issues.
The Chicago School’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program
offers the highest degree for practitioners in the field, and
helps prepare individuals for professional practice as licensed
psychologists. TCSPP programs have been recognized for
excellent training in culturally competent service provision.
Students experience extensive clinical training with community partners, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, mental
health centers, and governmental agencies.
“It is no secret that the mental health service needs in this
region, as well as throughout this country, are great,” said Dr.
(seated, L-R) XU President Dr. Norman C. Francis and The Chicago School
of Professional Psychology’s National President Dr. Michele Nealon-Woods
sign a historic agreement launching a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)
program on the Xavier campus to begin in the fall semester of 2014. Looking
on are: (standing, L-R) XU reps Dr. Anil Kukreja, Dr. Marguerite Giguette, Dr.
Elliott Hammer, and Dr. Loren Blanchard, and TCSPP reps Dr. Christoph
Leonhard, Darryl Lycett, and Dr. Patricia Arredondo.
Francis. “Through this doctoral program in Clinical Psychology, we hope to address some of those needs by providing
new, young professionals with the finest undergraduate and
graduate psychology training experience possible right here
in New Orleans.”
“We foresee this collaboration as being one of mutual
benefit to both Xavier and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, as well as to our respective communities,”
he added.
“We are excited to bring The Chicago School’s Psy.D.
Program to Xavier University,” stated Dr. Woods. “Collaborations such as this demonstrate our desire, commitment and
fulfillment to deliver quality graduate academic programs to
meet the increasing mental health needs of diverse communities.”
The program is subject to final approval by the Louisiana
Board of Regents.
2
Explore Xavier Open House Set for Jan. 23
The University will host its annual Open House for
prospective students, parents, and counselors Jan. 23 from
4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
“Explore Xavier” gives students and their parents the
opportunity to learn about admissions, majors and fields of
study, financial aid and scholarships, and student life.
Attendees should go to the University Center to begin
Open House.
Campus tours will be available throughout the evening.
Tickets will be available for that weekend’s Xavier-Dillard
Crosstown Classic basketball doubleheader.
For more info call 1-877-XavierU or 504-520-7388.
“Little Rock Nine” Icon to Keynote MLK Jr. Week for Peace
Minnijean BrownTrickey, one of the nine African Americans
who desegregated Arkansas’ Little Rock Central High School
(e.g. “the Little Rock Nine’) in 1957, will be the keynote
speaker for the 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week for
Peace, Jan. 17-20, 2014.
The theme for this year’s event – a joint collaboration
between Xavier, Tulane, Loyola and Dillard Universities
– is “50 Years Later: Evolution of the Dream”
The keynote address will take place during the annual
MLK Convocation and Symposium Jan. 18, which will be
hosted this year by Loyola University in the Dana Center (St.
Charles Room, 10:00 a.m.). Students from all four universities
will be presented community service awards at the
signature event.
The four-day celebration kicks off Jan. 17 with an
Expressions of Unity Talent Showcase and Step off at Tulane
University’s McAlister Auditorium (7:00 p.m.), followed by
an Expressions After Party. Other MLK week activities
include an Interfaith Service Jan. 19 at Dillard University’s
Lawless Chapel (6:00 p.m.) and a Day of Service Jan. 20 at
Xavier University beginning at the University Center
(8:00 a.m.).
All events are free and the public is invited to participate.
Minnijean Brown Trickey entered history in 1957 by
striding through the front doors of the then whites-only
Central High School in Little Rock AR. As a member of
the “Little Rock Nine”, in front of a worldwide television
audience she walked past armed guards and an angry mob
to help set America on the path toward desegregation in
public schools.
That was just the beginning of her fiery career as a social
activist. In her adult life, Brown-Trickey continues to be an
activist for minority rights, peacemaking, environmental
issues, developing youth leadership, diversity education and
training, cross-cultural communications, and gender and
social justice advocacy. She has spoken in 49 states, and
internationally in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Canada,
England, New Zealand and South Africa.
A journalist and educator, during the President Bill
Clinton Administration, she served as Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Workforce Diversity in the Department of
the Interior.
For her lifetime of work she has received the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, the Spingarn Medal, the Wolf Award,
and a medal from the W.E.B. DuBois Institute, among other
citations. She has also appeared in two acclaimed documentaries:
Journey to Little Rock: The Untold Story of Minnijean Brown
Trickey and HBO’s Little Rock: 50 Years Later.
XU Provost Named to SACS-COC Board of Trustees
Dr. Loren Blanchard, University Provost and Senior Vice
President for Academic Affairs, was named to the Board of
Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools – Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) during
its annual conference in Atlanta GA.
Blanchard was among 21 University Presidents and Provosts
from across the southern region of the United States elected
to serve a three-year term beginning in 2016. He will serve
as one of five Trustees representing the state of Louisiana. SACS-COC is the regional body for the accreditation of
degree-granting higher education institutions in the
Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of
shared values and practices among the diverse institutions
in 11 states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas, and Virginia) that award associate, baccalaureate,
master’s, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accredits
several international institutions of higher education.
The primary function of the Board of Trustees is to take
final action on the accreditation of applicant, candidate,
and member institutions, and reports to the College
Delegate Assembly at its Annual Business Session those
institutions approved for accreditation and those which
have not been approved for accreditation. The final action
of the Commission’s Board of Trustees is based on its
determination of an institution’s compliance with
Commission standards, policies, and procedures.
Xavier Named Top College for Teacher Education
Xavier has been recognized as a top college for teacher
education by Online College Database. The organization’s
new ranking, “Top Colleges in Louisiana Shaping the Next
Generation,” honors the post-secondary institutions in the
state that graduated the most education and teaching professionals in 2012.
Schools are ranked by the number of graduates. Xavier,
with 57 graduates, is ranked 13 on the list which includes 19
public and private colleges. Xavier is No. 2 among the private
colleges. LSU ranks 1st (652 graduates), while Louisiana
College (114 graduates) is first among private colleges.
Explaining its methodology, the website says: “The corner-
stone of some of the best education degrees in Louisiana is a
dedication to the building of the next generation. With the
goal of advancing the field of education, these programs
focus on research and community outreach alongside
classroom curriculum. Internships give students the ability to
apply their knowledge to real-world environments, and
develop effective teaching methods. A further advantage
found at these Louisiana colleges is the ability to choose a
concentration, leading to graduates who have specialized
knowledge in the field. With guidance from award-winning
faculty, and access to exceptional facilities, these Louisiana
schools provide the best education degrees available.”
Jackson Sets Gold Rush
Career Record with
235th Victory
Alumna Myrna Ruiz Malveaux ’63 (seated) and family members (standing,
L-R) Suzanne, Dr. Floyd, Greg, and Suzette are greeted by XU President Dr.
Norman C. Francis following Mass in the St. Katharine Drexel Chapel during
Alumni Homecoming. The family marked the occasion of Myrna’s 50th
Class Reunion by announcing the establishment of a $100,000 Endowed
Scholarship in Education.
Coach Dannton Jackson ’92 set a Xavier University of
Louisiana men’s basketball record for career victories when
the Gold Rush won 71-66 at Spring Hill in December.
Jackson, in his 11th season as head coach, is 235-101
overall. His predecessor, Dale Valdery ’76 (234-136 from
1990-2002), held the previous mark.
“It’s special and very humbling to break the record at my
alma mater,” said Jackson, who has led Xavier to four Gulf
Coast Athletic Conference championships, seven NAIA
Division I National Championship appearances and eight
20-win seasons. “Coach Valdery introduced me to coaching.
I’ve been blessed to have some unbelievable guys play for me
and to be able to coach at a special place.”
3
It Happens at
Office of Institutional Advancement
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA 70125
Xavier
Non-Profit Org.
U.S.Postage
PAID
New Orleans, LA
Permit No. 387
Xavierites
Students
Amber Cook, a senior biology/
premed major from New Orleans
(Ben Franklin High), has been
accepted into dental school at LSU
and Howard.
Chigozie Dike, a senior biology/
premed major from Houston TX
(George Bush High), has been
accepted into medical school at
the University of Texas-Houston.
volleyball team’s three-year
unbeaten streak in the Gulf Coast
Athletic Conference, she was the
only athlete from the GCAC among
the 391 national recipients. To be
considered for the award, scholarathletes must maintain a minimum
grade-point average of 3.5 on a
4.0 scale.
Brandan Dotson, a senior chemistry/pre-med major from Richmond
CA (Lowell High), has been accepted
into the College of Medicine at
SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
He was previously accepted into
medical school at Meharry College
and Howard University.
Catherine Fakler, a junior English
education major from Phoenix AZ
(Xavier College Prep) was selected
Runner of the Year on the 2013
All-Louisiana women’s cross country
team. She is the first female
runner from a non-NCAA Division I
school to receive the honor. Back
in November she recorded Xavier’s
highest-ever finish (68th) at the
NAIA National Championships.
Chinedu Echebelem, a junior
chemistry/premed major from Dallas
TX (Duncanville High School), has
been named a 2013 DaktronicsNAIA Scholar-Athlete. One of the
catalysts behind the Gold Nuggets
Donielle Williams, a senior
biology/pre-med major from
Fayetteville GA (Fayette County
High), has been accepted into
dental school at the University of
Alabama-Birmingham, Case-Western
Reserve University, the University
of Detroit-Mercy, Georgia Regents
University, and Meharry College.
Alumni
Patrick Jefferson ’96 has been
named Executive Vice President
for Student Learning at Ventura
College (Ventura County Community
College District) in Ventura CA,
where he will be responsible for
all areas related to academic
affairs and student services.
Adrienne Noble-Clark ’09, a
recent graduate of the Purdue
University College of Veterinary
Medicine, has joined the Waltz
Animal Clinic in Madison IN.
Faculty/Staff
Dr. Regina Benjamin (Endowed
Chair, Public Health Sciences) will
receive Vanderbilt University’s
prestigious Nichols-Chancellor’s
Medal in May 2014 when she
addresses graduating seniors and
their families during Senior Day.
She was also named to the Board
of Directors for Alere Inc., the world’s
leading provider of point-of-care
rapid diagnostic and health information solutions.
Joseph Moses (athletics) was
named Men’s Cross Country
Coach of the Year by the Louisiana
Sports Writers Association. It’s the
fourth time he has won the award
(the others coming in 2006, 2007
and 2008).
Dr. Kim Marie Vaz (CAS Dean’s
Office) made a presentation,
“Using Local Performance Traditions
to Create Visibility: The Case of the
Million Dollar Baby Dolls and
‘Sissy Bounce’”, on the luncheon
plenary titled “Bounce And The
NOLA Context at Melissa HarrisPerry’s Anna Julia Cooper Project
LLC-sponsored conference, “Gender,
Sexuality and Hip-Hop”, held at
Tulane University.