Sandra Bertram Grant is a doctoral fellow in the 2022-2023 class of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) with the American Psychological Association (APA), pursuing a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Denver. She completed her M.Ed. in counseling psychology at the University of Missouri and received a B.A., with a double major in psychology and sociology, from the University of Kansas. Sandra is a proud Latina immigrant from México whose passions and research interests are embedded in Latinx psychology. Her work is rooted in social justice and equity practices for marginalized communities, and her academic and community pursuits aim to empower and provide resources for the metropolitan Denver community and abroad. Sandra specializes in Latinx psychology and focuses on reducing inequities in mental health care through clinical practice and advocacy; increasing access to quality services; improving treatment delivery for underserved groups; and increasing representation of people of color in leadership roles.
Sandra was drawn to the MFP because the program aligns with her career goals as a clinician and provides opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals. She shared, “My goal is to use my training to increase access to services and improve treatment delivery for racial and ethnic minority groups. MFP offers connections to a community of psychologists of color who inspire, guide, and become lifelong colleagues. I wanted to enhance my growth personally and as a provider dedicated to underserved communities while continuing to advance culturally aware interventions that foster hope in clients, capitalizing on the strengths of their cultural identities. I knew MFP's professional and personal guidance, mentorship, and financial support would contribute greatly to my objectives.”
When reflecting on how the MFP has enriched her academic and professional career, Sandra shared that the program has allowed her to grow personally, professionally, and academically. She stated, “While my time at MFP has been short, MFP's support has already connected me with an outstanding advisor, a community of young professionals passionate about improving equity and inclusion, webinars to enhance my knowledge on grant writing and other financial opportunities, as well as opportunities to expand my expertise in areas of interest. MFP has exceeded my expectations in a brief time.”
In addition to her academic studies and serving as a research assistant at her university, Sandra also participates in community projects and assignments as a requirement of her fellowship. She shared, “I am currently working with organizations in the Denver area to promote collaborative approaches to health care. I am focusing on collecting information from community members in underserved areas to assess needs and determine ways to improve service delivery and utilization. I am also working with the university and other community organizations to build a model to support this mission. Moreover, I am working with rural areas in Colorado to deliver psychoeducation and technical assistance to promote behavioral health services and overall wellness in school districts and communities. I am also collaborating to write two chapters that will contribute to the literature on culturally aware clinical practices when working with immigrants. My involvement with these projects would not be possible without MFP's support.”
After completing her Ph.D., Sandra’s career goals include breaking barriers to behavioral health treatment access for clients in communities of color but also bridging the gap for representation in leadership in such fields. She explained, “My career goal as a Latina psychologist is to be the director of behavioral health and integrated programs at a primary care agency. I aim to expand treatments sensitive to diverse racial/ethnic populations through increasing the number of providers dedicated to racial and ethnic minoritized communities and to grow Latina representation in leadership positions.”
When asked what advice she has for anyone considering applying to the MFP, Sandra remarked, “It is a long and tough process to apply, yet the most rewarding. This fellowship feels like a family, and it is exciting to learn that you will always be a part of MFP once you are a member. If you are thinking about it, do it! If you are thinking about re-applying, do it! You are more than capable.”