The Board of Trustees of the Michigan School of Professional Psychology announced in June the appointment of Dr. Fran Brown as the fourth president of the institution. Dr. Brown is a graduate of both the Master and Doctoral Programs at The Michigan School.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead the very institution where my life was transformed. As a student, I chose The Michigan School because of its uniqueness: both in its academic premise and in the extraordinary individuals who founded it,” said President Brown.
Dr. Brown succeeds Dr. Diane Blau who in 1980 was a founding member of The Michigan School. “Fran brings a wealth of resources to this position,” said Dr. Blau, “We will all be the fortunate beneficiaries of her wisdom and expertise.”
President Brown has served as Director of Clinical Training and most recently Program Director, where she played a key role in the Doctoral program’s achievement of accreditation by the American Psychological Association. She officially began her new position on September 1st, but assumed many of her presidential duties at the end of August to ensure a smooth start to Fall semester.
“Dr. Brown brings so many strengths to her new role as President,” said Vice President Diane Zalapi. “As an alum, she has a deep understanding of humanistic psychology and the profession.”
In addition to her work at The Michigan School, Dr. Brown maintained a humanistically-oriented private practice and has worked in the behavioral health division of a large hospital system and in community mental health. Prior to her career in psychology, President Brown was an executive at Michigan’s largest health insurer, where she gained extensive knowledge of health care delivery and business practices.
Dr. Brown assumes leadership of the Michigan School during a period of transition – to a new name, larger campus, and future onsite training clinic. “Dr. Brown is warm and personable and will be successful in making important connections and building relationships,” said Vice President Zalapi. “The Board recognized these strengths and selected a strong leader as our new President.”
The Michigan School, which offers graduate degrees in clinical psychology, is undergoing a name change – to The Michigan School of Psychology – and campus expansion that includes increased community education space and a training clinic that will provide the surrounding community with access to low-cost, high-quality mental health care services.
“This is an exciting and important time at The Michigan School of Psychology,” said Dr. Brown. “Amid today’s social and health care challenges, humanistic psychology has never been more relevant. We’re poised to respond to growing mental health and social concerns while preserving and building upon our humanistic tradition – to focus on the potential for growth in all individuals.”
