Delishia Pittman, an associate professor at Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development, blends professional excellence with authentic mentorship. With credentials spanning psychology, public health, counseling and more, she brings an interdisciplinary lens to teaching, research and supervision. But it is her philosophy of guidance that leaves the strongest impression on her students and supervisees.  

“Supervision is probably one of my top three favorite things about being a faculty member, helping students learn to trust themselves and develop their own clinical judgment and therapeutic style,” Pittman said. She emphasized that her approach to guidance empowers students to grow into their own professional identities. 

Reflecting on her path, Pittman admits she never imagined a future for herself in the psychology field. “If you would have told me I was going to be a psychologist, I probably would have laughed at you,” she shared. Yet her early experiences, she noted, prepared her for the role she now embraces. “I grew up in a single-parent household with addiction and mental health struggles in my family, and those early experiences prepared me for the work I do now as a clinician and supervisor. In many ways, some of my experiences in childhood certainly were preparing me for the work that I do day-to-day as a clinician, but also as an educator.” 

The notion of intervention is central to her teaching. “I often say, ‘find an intervention’,” Pittman explained, explaining that psychology should not stop at identifying problems, but should equip people with practical tools to improve their lives. This belief shapes her classroom, where students are encouraged to connect theoretical concepts to the realities of practice. She pushes them to think not just as students of psychology, but as future professionals with the power to make meaningful change. 

Her role as a supervisor extends this vision. In working with trainees, she highlights the importance of balancing professional rigor with compassion. “I like to remind students that the act of kindness is part of our value,” she said. By framing student feedback in ways that are both stimulating and supportive, she empowers her supervisees to grow into confident practitioners. 

Pittman values authenticity and said she is motivated by a deep commitment to people and relationships. “I like to take care of others,” she reflected, noting she incorporates this perspective into her work as both a clinician and an educator. This approach resonates strongly with her students, who often look to her as a model for how to integrate professional skill with human connection. 

At Temple, Pittman’s impact emphasizes the importance of her role as a mentor who guides with purpose, a professor who challenges students to think critically, and a mental health professional who demonstrates that expertise and empathy can go hand in hand. Through her teaching, supervision and mentorship, she exemplifies how faculty can inspire the next generation to lead with knowledge, compassion and integrity.