February 2008
Black History Month Interview

Q&A with Dr. Christina Camp

Alumna Christina Camp graduated in 2002 from the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles with a PhD in Clinical Psychology, Multicultural Community-Clinical Psychology Emphasis Area. She was a Pre-doctoral and Post-doctoral Fellow at Yale University's School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Community Research, and a Post-doctoral Fellow at Emory University's Student Counseling Center.

Prior to coming to Alliant, Dr. Camp worked as a Program Director for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta where she was responsible for developing and implementing programming designed to assist women to successfully transition from welfare to work. "I found the experience to be extremely rewarding but I soon realized that I wanted to influence change on a broader social and policy level."

While at Alliant, she worked for Kumea Shorter-Gooden, PhD, coordinating the Pasadena Neighborhood Strengthening Project Youth Leadership and Community Development Program. She is currently the Director of Research Programs at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health and Adjunct Faculty at Argosy University. She also operates a small private practice. "At times it is a lot to manage. However, I enjoy having the opportunity to maintain my skills in multiple areas like research, teaching and clinical practice."

Q: How has African and African American history impacted your goals, dreams, success, and life’s mission?

A: The premise for the work that I do stems from a proverb or saying (I'm not sure of its origin) which also served to inspire me while in graduate school and throughout my career. It is: "for those who opted to suffer for my freedom... for those whose blood, sweat, and tears give life to my dreams... for those whose steps laid the path on which I now travel... for those on whose broad shoulders I humbly stand... I press on.”

This statement has served as a great source of motivation and, in many respects, has shaped my professional interests. It reminds me of the many sacrifices that have been made so that I could be afforded the opportunities that I have had to date. In turn, I feel a great sense of responsibility to continue in the work of improving the lot of oppressed people whether it be working to develop contextually appropriate interventions to eliminate health disparities among people of color, conducting research to identify strategies that serve to empower women in condom negotiation and sexual decision making, teaching courses to increase cultural sensitivity in the delivery of mental health services, or by working with low income or minority populations in private practice. Relative to my goals and life mission, I’ve always had an interest in being the voice for the voiceless and working to improve the social experience of oppressed people.

Q: Are there people who have influenced your life and your professional work?

A: My ancestors who have sacrificed so I can be where I am - I always feel compelled to give back. My mentors, Hector Myers- the focus of his research on minority populations and health issues inspired me, and Kumea, a phenomenal mentor. She had a great ability to support my strengths and challenge me in my areas of weakness. 

Q: Have you had experiences of discrimination or injustice?  Can you share one?

A: Unfortunately, I have had some personal experiences in this area. The more salient experiences that I have had have been vicarious in nature and have occurred as large scale social injustices. These events include The Jena Six and other noose related incidents, events leading up to the 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles, and Don Imus' racial slur.

I think that these kinds of events have the strongest impact on me because they are blatant acts of bias and social injustice. Moreover, oftentimes they are a reflection of how much progress we have made in this country with respect to race matters and how much work is left to be done. These incidents and some of the social reactions to them left me awestruck as well as inspired to work even harder to facilitate change wherever I can.

Q: What excites you about the work that you do?

A: With respect to research, it is the opportunity to conduct research that allows me to ask important and relative questions. It gives me insight into social, cultural, political, economic and behavioral factors that influence sexual risk- taking behaviors among women. The research allows me to look at this important social phenomenon and health outcomes in broad context.

Relative to teaching, I’m passionate about the topics in diversity issues as well as the opportunity to actually observe the growth and development of students who take my course. I treasure having the opportunity to teach a course that allows me to be present as individuals broaden their perspective of the world and the people in it. 
I am also excited by the opportunity to develop targeted cultural interventions that reduce at risk behaviors.

Q: For you, what is the significance of Black History Month?

A: To remind all people of the history, legacy, and contributions of African Americans of past and present.

Q: What advice or messages do you have for today’s African American students (whether elementary, secondary, or college-level)?

A: To be aware of their past and the important legacy that has been left to them; and allow it to be an example that they can overcome anything.  

Q: What recommendations do you have for Alliant to better promote the success of Black students and to better serve the Black community?

A: Preserve a commitment to recruiting and retaining African American students in graduate programs. Develop programming early on in graduate training that ensures that students receive one-on-one mentoring. The specific training that I received in the area of cultural competency at CSPP/Alliant was significantly advanced when I compared it to the training experiences of my peers at other institutions. I would encourage Alliant to continue to strengthen and preserve their commitment to producing clinicians (regardless of their background) that are prepared to deliver clinical services to diverse populations.