Keith Allen, PhD, will step aside as psychology director

Keith Allen, PhD, the director of psychology at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, will step aside from that role in the coming months.

Dr. Allen will stay with MMI in his faculty role and continue as the institute’s director of academic affairs, although in a part-time capacity.

Dr. Allen said three things are combining to motivate him to step down as director of psychology: The strength of the department, the opportunity to shift focus to some priorities within academic affairs and his desire to spend more time on his personal interests and family.

As he prepares to make that transition, the department features strong faculty, strong leadership and a solid financial position through its revenue streams and grant support, Dr. Allen said.

“I’d emphasize that the department is in a really good position to think about transitioning leadership,” he said. “I just think the department would be very attractive for somebody looking to take that leadership role.”

Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, praised Dr. Allen for doing a remarkable job leading the psychology department through a period of growth and prosperity.

“This achievement is even more amazing knowing that he did this through thoughtful consensus building and creativity – during a devastating pandemic and moving to our new building,” Dr. Mirnics said. “Personally, I very much enjoyed my interactions with him, his willingness to speak up and advocate for his department and his ability to be strategic.”

Dr. Allen has led the psychology department for seven years and been with MMI since 1987. He will step aside as department director as of July 1.

The institute has embarked on a national search for the new director, and Alice Shillingsburg, PhD, the new director of MMI’s integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, is chairing the search committee.