Tabitha Grier-Reed, professor in Department of Family Social Science, was honored with the Minnesota Psychological Association’s John M. Taborn Award for Outstanding Contributions to Psychology by a Person of African Descent. Dr. Grier-Reed’s areas of expertise include student development, teaching and learning, diversity in education, and culturally responsive practices and pedagogy.
She joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 2005 where she taught in the General College and the following year became part of CEHD. She co-founded the African American Student Network (AFAM) that provides a safe space for Black students on campus. Her research on the group and its power to positively impact African American students has been published in peer-reviewed publications, including the Journal of College Student Development, Journal of Urban Education, Journal of Black Psychology, Journal of College Student Retention, Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Journal Committed to Social Change on Race and Ethnicity, and most recently accepted to the Journal of Adolescent and Family Health. She has also presented her research nationally and internationally.
Her commitment to creating student-centered spaces has been recognized through the U of M’s Morse-Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Award from the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, the Sons of Bransford’s Partner Award in recognition of her work in the African American community, and the Jeanne L. Higbee Award for Outstanding Research in Developmental Education, among others.
Dr. Grier-Reed received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala., and both her master’s and doctorate degrees in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is also a licensed psychologist in Minnesota.
More about the John M. Taborn Award
According to the Minnesota Psychological Association’s website, the John M. Taborn Award recognizes sustained or special contributions to the field of psychology. Contributions may be in a unique aspect of psychological professional practice, research, teaching, or administration. During their career, nominees may have improved the image of psychology or the Minnesota Psychological Association. Their practice may include distinguished leadership or achievement in black psychology or involvement in the Black community. The award is administered by the Diversity Committee and is awarded to a recipient at the February First Friday Forum each year.
More about John Taborn
John Taborn, associate professor in special education, retired from the University of Minnesota in September of 1999 and died in August of 2015. Dr. Taborn joined the College of Education and Human Development in 1995 from the College of Liberal Arts to pursue research and projects in multicultural urban education and to mentor graduate students in studies across both colleges. He maintained his CLA appointment an associate professor in the Department of Afro-American and African Studies. He served as chair of the Department of Afro-American and African Studies from 1988 to 1992 and taught in the School of Psychology and the Department of Youth Studies as well as his home department.
Information assembled from various sources.
