American Psychological Association MFP Team

Andrew Dailey, MDiv, MS, Director

Janice Haskins, MSP, Clinical Program Manager

Zoe Garber, Program Coordinator

It is a pleasure to welcome new fellows to the MFP family, and we are excited to support them with reaching their goals. Our team wanted to share a few tips and best practices for fellows about how they can get the most out of their MFP fellowship. We would advise fellows to:

Dr. Duy Nguyen
MFP Alumni and MFP Director, Council on Social Work Education

As a graduate student during the summer of 2004, I eagerly opened a letter that notified me of my MFP award. It is fair to say that the fellowship has permeated all aspects of my career development. I relished being a fellow and tried to make the most of the opportunities afforded by the fellowship while juggling academic and family demands. Now, as the Director of the CSWE MFP, I see how fellows experience the program. With these dual perspectives in mind, I offer a few suggestions for making the most of the fellowship.

Dr. Frieda Outlaw
MFP Alumni and MFP Educational Consultant, American Nursing Association

One of the things that excites us most is to have fellows give presentations at the local, state, national, and international levels, and to publish articles in clinical, policy, and research journals. These activities really feature the wonderful work that the fellows are doing in the public and justifies the investment that the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program is making. It's an honor to be a fellow, and your good work proves why it's important to have this program. Everybody benefits from the Minority Fellowship Program; you benefit from being a fellow, we [grantee organization] benefit by training future practitioners, and SAMHSA benefits when you demonstrate the impact of your contributions on health disparities and mental health and substance abuse. It is important to leverage the exposure within and across disciplines to other fellows that the MFP provides. These relationships can result in research opportunities and other scholarly activities as well as support systems that last a lifetime and increase productivity. Finally, take the opportunity to learn how to navigate SAMHSA and all their grant programs. Many academic institutions know about NIMH and NIH grant funding, but SAMHSA is more community based, so there’s an opportunity for you to explore the different centers and services. If there's one in particular that looks interesting to you, explore it, ask questions, and find out who the leadership is. Start thinking about how to apply for grants early in your career and if we at MFPCC can help you navigate that process; we'd be happy to help.

Rebecca Olson, BA
MFP-Y Master’s Fellow (2018-2019), American Psychological Association. Pursuing an MEd in School Counseling. Anticipated graduation Dec. 2019.

Pay attention, be open to the experience of others, be genuine and a little vulnerable. You don't have anything to prove, but a lot to learn. Connect with your mentors and be willing to ask questions. Try to make one or two solid connections with peer fellows and do your best to foster the new friendships after the conferences are done.

Alyssa Hufana, MA, BA
MFP Doctoral Fellow (2018-2020), American Psychological Association. Pursuing a PhD in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology. Anticipated graduation June 2021.

Take advantage of making connections and establishing genuine, authentic relationships with your fellow cohort. One of the most valuable aspects of my time as a fellow has been making lifelong friends and family within MFP that have supported me in professional and personal endeavors. It has been life changing to gain support and encouragement from peers in other programs across the nation to share professional advice on internship applications and interviews, talk about professional identity, challenges and milestones in our own personal lives, and check in on one another in our own journey. Don't be afraid to reach out to peers in your cohort and get to know one another! They have the opportunity to be some of your biggest allies, confidants, and support throughout your graduate school journey if you are open.

Anthony Hitch, MA, BA
MFP Doctoral Fellow (2018-2020), American Psychological Association. Pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Anticipated graduation May 2022.

1. MFP Training Advisory Committee (TAC) mentors are truly interested in your professional development and general well-being. Contact your assigned mentor to share both successes and challenges to foster a strong relationship. Additionally, feel free to draw upon the knowledge and wisdom of all TAC mentors. In my experience, they have all been more than willing to provide additional support.
2. Participate in as many MFP-offered trainings, seminars, programs, and events as possible. As an MFP fellow, you have access to a wealth of resources that will improve the way you practice and set you apart from others in the field. With this information and knowledge, you will be armed to make meaningful contributions to the improvement of mental health services for people of color.
3. Stay connected with your MFP cohort. Your MFP cohort is a special group of peer colleagues who can offer timely advice, support, and lifelong friendship. The shared journey of becoming a member of such an important fellowship of professionals can be an incredibly bonding experience unlike any other.