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Faculty Spotlight – Dr. Diane Blau

Dr. Blau is the President of the Michigan School of Professional Psychology (originally the Center for Humanistic Studies Graduate School), which she co-founded in 1980. Diane Blau, PhD psychology associatePrior to becoming its president in 2012, Dr. Blau held multiple academic and administrative roles at the school, including master’s and doctoral faculty, Master’s Program Chair, Accreditation Coordinator, and Dean of Academic Affairs. For more on Dr. Blau click here.

Hometown 

Detroit, Michigan

Favorite book (non-academic)

Always the one I am currently reading

Favorite place to grade papers 

Kitchen table

What made you decide to pursue a degree in psychology?

Clark Moustakas and the Enhancing Human Potential Program happened to result in EHP program certificate, ultimately in doctorate in psychology.  Not my area of focus going in – just wanted to work more effectively with kids and parents as a school counselor.

What do you think led you to teach at MSP?

Clark Moustakas and Cereta Perry asked me to teach the incoming 1st year EHP group during my 2nd year in the EHP program; the next year I helped develop and teach the new MA program in Humanistic and Clinical Psychology at the Merrill Palmer Institute.  Continued teaching at CHS across the street and through the name transition to MSP.

What’s your favorite part of teaching?

Experiential learning. Creating simulated activities that bring students understanding of a concept through engagement such that they discover the meaning  and relevance of the material for themselves.  Personally relevant learning from the inside-out.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Reserved and rather shy throughout school and college and early years of teaching

What’s your favorite kind of music?

Broadway music, musical scores from certain movies

What do you do in your free time?

Read, walk, be in nature