Palo Alto University Class of 2023 Helps Bridge Gap in Mental Health Workforce Shortage
300 to Graduate with Degrees in Psychology and Counseling on Saturday, June 17
Palo Alto University, which specializes in the fields of psychology and counseling, will confer 300 doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Santa Clara County Convention Center.
“Palo Alto University’s Class of 2023 enters a workforce where the demand for quality mental health care has never been more critical,” said President Maureen O’Connor. “Through our rigorous educational programs, research, and extensive hands-on clinical practice opportunities, our graduates are well-prepared to address the pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling.”
According to a study by the American Psychological Association, the demand for licensed psychologists is estimated to increase by 27 percent by 2030.
“There is an immense need for psychologists and counselors who are trained both clinically and in understanding how to best serve diverse cultures and identities,” said Erika Cameron, PhD, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “I am proud to say that our graduates are trained to be culturally sensitive and strive to meet the mental health needs of today’s diverse communities.”
With a commitment to excellence in equity and inclusion, Palo Alto University is proud to present counseling psychologist, scholar, and social activist Della V. Mosley, PhD, as its commencement speaker. Dr. Della is an expert on Black wellness and healing racial trauma. She is President of the Wellness, Equity, Love, Liberation, and Survival (WELLS) Healing Center and Director of Radical Healing, a mental health clinic that serves those who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC in Durham, North Carolina.
Additional information about Palo Alto University’s commencement ceremony, including live stream details, can be found at https://www.paloaltou.edu/commencement2023.