Miami – Albizu University has announced that Jennifer F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP, an internationally recognized psychologist and past president of the American Psychological Association (APA), will deliver the keynote address at the university’s commencement ceremony on Oct. 10 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami.

Kelly is distinguished for her leadership in advancing psychology’s role in health equity, a priority she championed during her presidency of the APA in 2021.

Board certified in clinical health psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, Kelly has authored numerous articles on chronic medical conditions, pain management, and the integration of psychology into healthcare.

Her work has been especially relevant since the COVID-19 pandemic magnified disparities in access to mental health services across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

Kelly, whose work has focused on the role of psychology in providing care for patients with chronic medical conditions and those who require pain management, has long held leadership roles in the APA, the largest organization of psychologists in the United States and the world, and has published many research articles in her areas of expertise.

She actively supports the APA’s mission “to promote the advancement, communication and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.”

“Dr. Kelly’s mission to enhance the use of psychology, prepare the next generation of psychologists and impact societal challenges is closely aligned with Albizu University’s mission and is an area of psychology that can really make a difference in our society,” said Albizu University President Dr. Nelson E. Soto.

“Her mission is aligned with Albizu’s mission, as is apparent in our Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program, which prepares students as health service psychologists with clinical experience in a range of settings. I am certain that Dr. Kelly will be an inspiration to our students and faculty.”

Albizu University, established in 1980, is one of Florida’s top private universities for Psychology and Health Science.

A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, Kelly earned a master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology from Florida State University after earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

She is the founding director of the Atlanta Center for Behavioral Medicine, where she works primarily with patients who have chronic medical conditions.

Kelly has long been involved with the APA, serving as the organization’s 2021 president, and as a multi-year member of its board of directors, including recording secretary.

She is also the former president of the Georgia Psychological Association and has served as federal advocacy coordinator of that association for more than 20 years. Additionally, she served as a member-at-large of the American Board of Professional Psychology Foundation and was an associate editor of the APA journal Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.

For her service to APA and contributions to psychology, Kelly was awarded with the Raymond D. Fowler Award for Outstanding Contributions to APA (2024), the Nathan W. Perry, Jr. Award for Career Service to Clinical Health Psychology (2023), and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Florida State University (2021).

Visit albizu.edu.