Doctoral student wins national fellowship

A College of Education doctoral student recently received a fellowship through the leading organization in her field.

Maritza Y. Duran, a second-year Ph.D. student in the department of counseling and human development services, has been awarded the Minority Fellowship through the American Psychological Association. Duran is among 7% of applicants to receive the competitive award, which funds a year of graduate studies as well as attendance at the annual American Psychological Conference in August.

Duran, who is studying counseling psychology, will also attend events throughout the year as a Fellow and receive a mentor. The mentor, Duran said, provides support for minority students who want to work with underserved populations.

The Minority Fellowship Program offered by the American Psychological Association is a federally funded training program for ethnic and racial minority researchers and service providers, according to the American Psychological Association's website. The program began in 1974.

Minority fellowships are awarded in three phases of graduate students' careers: predoctoral, postdoctoral and for those pursuing a terminal master's degree in psychology. The doctoral-level fellowships support students pursuing degrees in clinical counseling, school psychology and behavioral health services or policy.