Palo Alto University

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Palo Alto University

Palo Alto University (PAU), is a private, nonprofit university dedicated to advancing human understanding through innovative education, groundbreaking research, and impactful practice in behavioral science. Founded in 1975 as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto University (PAU) is dedicated to reducing suffering and improving lives through education and research anchored in psycho

logy, clinical training and practice in a diversity of cultures, and service to communities around the world.

09/10/2026

Welcome back, PAU! 🎉 The 2026–27 academic year is officially underway!

Week of Welcome is in full swing, and we’ve already had an exciting start. We welcomed our newest students at Unified Student Orientation and brought faculty and staff together for Opening Day.

And we’re not done yet! There are more opportunities to connect, get involved, and spend time with the PAU community throughout the rest of Week of Welcome.

To all of our new and returning students, faculty, and staff: welcome to a new academic year.

See what’s still ahead during Week of Welcome: https://paloaltou.edu/wow

09/08/2026

What does it mean to be human?

President Farouk Dey and Board Chair Daniele Levy explore some of the most important questions of our time and share the vision guiding PAU’s next chapter: A future shaped by human understanding.

Grounded in human dignity, we believe deeper human understanding can help us build a future with greater connection and purpose, healthier and more resilient communities, more equitable and humane systems, and tools that serve humanity rather than diminish it.

We want to help shape that future, and we invite you to be part of it.

Learn more: https://paloaltou.edu/about/vision-and-mission

09/06/2026

We’re proud to celebrate an important milestone for Palo Alto University Counseling Department!

Our M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling has earned a full eight-year reaffirmation of CACREP accreditation through October 31, 2033, the highest level of the full accreditation cycle awarded through CACREP’s review process.

The reaffirmation reflects the quality and rigor of the program, from classroom learning and clinical training to the support students receive as they prepare to become counselors.

It is also a reflection of the faculty and staff who work every day to strengthen the program and prepare students to serve communities in California and beyond.

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this achievement.

Read more: https://hubs.li/Q04wP_L80

09/03/2026

Fall quarter begins next Thursday, September 10, and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back!

If you’ll be on campus or nearby, join us for the PAU Community Lunch from 12:00–1:30 p.m. at the Allen Calvin Campus. Stop by for free food and swag, reconnect with friends and colleagues, and kick off the year.

📍 Allen Calvin Campus
1791 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto
Building 3, Amy Wisniewski (Wiz) Hall

Later that evening, join us virtually from 5:00–6:00 p.m. for The President’s Masterclass: Life Design. President Farouk Dey.

We hope to see you on September 10 as we kick off a new quarter at PAU!

Learn more about the Week of Welcome events: https://hubs.li/Q04wzvyG0

09/01/2026

We’re officially one week away from PAU Week of Welcome!!

Beginning September 8, we’ll kick off the new academic year with a full week of opportunities to welcome new students, reconnect with one another, explore resources, and spend time together as a community.

September 8: Unified Student Orientation and Resource & Involvement Fair
September 9: PAU Opening Day (Faculty & Staff Only)
September 10: PAU Community Lunch and later The President’s Masterclass: Life Design
September 11: Virtual Resource & Involvement Fair and PAU Night Out
September 12: PAU Community Hike and PAU Community Service
September 13: Brunch with the President & Provost

There’s something happening every day, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back and start another year together.

We’ll see you next week! 💙

Explore the full Week of Welcome schedule and event details: https://hubs.li/Q04w4TKF0

08/30/2026

One week until Week of Welcome! 🎉

Take a look at just a few of the tables from last year’s Student Resource & Involvement Fair, and there’s more to discover this year.

New and returning students can stop by a club or resource, ask questions, meet people from across PAU, and learn about opportunities and support available to you throughout the year.

📍 Tuesday, September 8 at 12:30 p.m. | Mountain View Community Center

💻 Or join us virtually via Zoom on Friday, September 11 at 12:00 p.m.

It’s all part of Week of Welcome, September 8–13!

Check out the full schedule: https://paloaltou.edu/wow

08/27/2026

On September 8, new students will come together for Unified Student Orientation to connect with classmates, meet members of the PAU community, learn about campus resources, and prepare for the start of the academic year.

We’re excited to welcome this new group of students and all of the experiences, ideas, and perspectives they will bring to PAU.

Check out all of the other events happening during Week of Welcome: https://hubs.li/Q04vyJ260

08/25/2026

For the last few years, PAU faculty Dr. Kelly Coker, Dr. Cristen Wathen, and Dr. Margaret Lamar have been bringing lessons from Playposium back to PAU and into the way they teach, lead, and create learning experiences.

This summer, they returned to Exeter, England, to further explore the science behind purposeful play and why curiosity, connection, and psychological safety can make such a difference in how people learn.

The result isn’t simply new ideas from a conference. It’s new ways of creating learning experiences that help our students participate, connect, and grow.

See photos from their time at Playposium and read the full story: https://hubs.li/Q04vcPcv0

08/23/2026

Only two weeks until Week of Welcome!!! 💙

From September 8–13, we have a full week planned to bring students, alumni, faculty and staff together to connect, get involved and kick off the new academic year.

Here’s what’s happening:

• 9/8 — Unified Student Orientation
• 9/8 — Resource & Involvement Fair
• 9/9 — PAU Opening Day (Faculty & Staff)
• 9/10 — PAU Community Lunch
• 9/10 — The President’s Masterclass: Life Design
• 9/11 — Virtual Resource & Involvement Fair
• 9/11 — PAU Night Out
• 9/12 — PAU Community Hike
• 9/12 — PAU Community Service
• 9/13 — Brunch with the President & Provost

Join us for one event or make a week of it, we’d love to see you there!

Check out the full Week of Welcome schedule, locations and details: https://paloaltou.edu/wow

08/20/2026

It was great seeing third-year PhD student Ash Wang throughout APA 2026!

Ash is part of the RISE Lab and is pursuing both the LGBTQ and Trauma Areas of Emphasis at Palo Alto University.

We had a chance to grab a quick moment with Ash during the convention, take a listen!

Address

1791 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, CA
94304

Website

http://www.paloaltou.edu/

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