The MSP Community is mourning the loss of former professor and alumna, Dr. Donna Rockwell, who passed away on October 7, 2023, at age 66.
Dr. Rockwell was a graduate of the MA Class of 2000 and the PsyD Class of 2004 at the Center for Humanistic Studies (original name of the Michigan School of Psychology). Following her graduation from CHS, Dr. Rockwell continued as an active member of our community, serving as an adjunct faculty member and Community Outreach/Public Relations Coordinator from 2004-2013. During this time, she taught Professional Writing, Community Outreach in Psychology, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, Core Concepts of Humanistic & Clinical Psychology, Human Science Research Design, Group Process, and Applications of Qualitative Research, in addition to serving as a dissertation chair and thesis advisor. In 2007 Dr. Rockwell received a grant from the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation for the “Mindfulness Initiative.” With this grant she developed the Mindfulness and Psychotherapy course taught in MiSPP’s PsyD program. The grant also provided funds that allowed Dr. Rockwell to develop a collection of mindfulness focused resources for the Moustakas Johnson Library.
Outside of her contributions to MSP, Dr. Rockwell was a fierce advocate for humanistic psychology. She served as the President of the Society for Humanistic Psychology, Division 32 of the APA, and served on the editorial boards of both the Journal of Humanistic Psychology and the Humanistic Psychologist. Dr. Rockwell was also a faculty member at Saybrook University and on the advisory board of the Krame Center for Contemplative Studies and Mindful Living along with the Existential-Humanistic Institute. Beyond her scholastic contributions, Dr. Rockwell had a successful career as a licensed psychologist in both Michigan and New York where she incorporated her research into celebrity and fame and mindfulness meditation into clinical practice.
Prior to pursuing a career in psychology, Dr. Rockwell was a TV journalist and was one of the founding members of Cable News Network (CNN), Washington DC, where she covered Capitol Hill. After graduating from CHS, she used these skills to share her knowledge by contributing as a mental health expert in a variety of TV, radio, and print media, including as a Huffington Post contributor. Dr. Rockwell’s extensive experience in media also served her and MSP well in her role as MSP’s Community Outreach/Public Relations Coordinator. In this role, Dr. Rockwell attended community meetings and events, developed special outreach projects, submitted press releases and handled media inquiries on behalf of MSP.
Dr. Rockwell had an immense impact on the MSP community and the field of humanistic psychology as a whole. She will be greatly missed by all who have felt her impact.
