Travels of a shy youngster to the presidency of the American PsychologicalAssociation: An interview with Richard M. Suinn

This article provides the professional background of and an interview with Richard M. Suinn, only one of three minority psychologists to be elected pr esident of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the only Asian American psychologist to be elected to this post. The interview addresses a number of factors in his personal and professional development. It then o utlines perspectives on career development, mentoring, the development of y oung professionals, and the importance of competencies and skills versus la bels in psychology. It concludes with his thoughts and feelings about runni ng for the presidency of APA and some visions for the association.