Dr. Grant White believes in “paying it forward.” As a 1993 graduate of The Chicago School who benefited from “great mentoring” during his years as a clinical psychology student, he is doing the same for today‘s TCS students.

Dr. White (Psy.D. ‘93) maintains a dual role that facilitates his ability to provide clinical training opportunities and realworld experience. A member of The Chicago School faculty since 1996, he is also a practicing clinical psychologist at Community Mental Health Council (CMHC), where he was recently promoted to associate vice president of clinical operations. CMHC is a nonprofit agency that provides evidence-based, culturally sensitive behavioral health and wellness services to residents of Chicago‘s South Side. In his dual role, Dr, White has been instrumental in maintaining a strong partnership between the two organizations, and providing hands-on learning opportunities to dozens of students.

“CMHC is a remarkable organization that offers the full gamut of clinical experiences to our students,” he says. “What started out as an opportunity for students in the Clinical Psy.D. program in 1996 is expanding to incorporate students in many Chicago School programs.” He has already added practicum placements for forensic psychology students and by 2010, he plans to increase the number of practicum students from four to 16 and add practicum opportunities to students in the School Psychology, Clinical Counseling, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology departments.

Dr. White‘s efforts were honored at the June 12 Commencement, where he was named 2009 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. The award, which is presented annually by the Alumni Council, recognized his contributions in establishing one of the school‘s earliest, largest, and most innovative community partnerships. The traditional plaque came with an additional gift—a Chicago School softball jersey emblazoned with “Da Coach,” recognizing his role in initiating the annual faculty-staff softball games, which started in 2001.

In accepting the award, he acknowledged the role models he had known during his students days—faculty who “exemplified professionalism in every sense of the word.” “I believe that displaying respect for your clients and always giving your very best should be a priority. What I took from my experience as a student is what I would like my students to emulate. It‘s a continuous loop—and I hope they‘ll go on to do the same for the people they influence.”