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Celebrating 50 Years of Palo Alto University!
Honoring Our Past and Shaping the Future of Mental and Behavioral Health

Hear from our community about what this milestone means to them.

Since 1975, Palo Alto University has inspired professionals to think boldly and serve with compassion.

From our beginnings as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology to a nationally recognized university, PAU has blended rigorous learning with real-world impact.

Guided by dedicated faculty and a shared commitment to care, we continue shaping the future of mental and behavioral health—one student, one community at a time.

Take a look back at the moments that shaped our story by clicking the button below.

How We Are Celebrating

Throughout our 50th Anniversary year, the PAU community is coming together to honor five decades of innovation, inclusion, and impact. From campus gatherings and faculty reflections to student milestones and alumni achievements, each moment captures the spirit of who we are and what we stand for. 
 
Opening Day 2025
Unified Student Orientation
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Unified Student Orientation
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Palo Alto University kicked off its 50th year with Welcome Week, featuring Opening Day, where faculty and staff gathered for Design Thinking collaboration; Unified Student Orientation, where new students were welcomed into the PAU community; and the first day of classes, marking an exciting start to the academic year.

50th Anniversary Timeline

Every story, event, and contribution is part of our legacy, fifty years in the making.

See how PAU has evolved through the decades by clicking the button below.

Stories from Our Community

Throughout Palo Alto University’s 50th Anniversary year, we are celebrating the people who have shaped our past, strengthened our community, and are building our future. These stories—shared by students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends—reflect the spirit, innovation, and compassion that define Palo Alto University. As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we honor those whose impact and legacy continue to inspire our mission of improving lives through education, research, and service.

 
Peter Goldblum

Discover how Dr. Peter Goldblum’s vision and advocacy helped shape Palo Alto University’s enduring commitment to inclusion and innovation.

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Read how Maggie Tsai transformed a successful global career into a life of service and impact through counseling and community care.

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Explore Dr. Nick Grant’s journey from first-generation student to Navy psychologist and national leader in LGBTQ health advocacy.

From PGSP to PAU: 50 Years of Purpose and Progress

By the Numbers

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1,264 students primarily in graduate training programs and 44% first generation

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Over 4,400 alumni professionally concentrated in behavioral health fields

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5,000+ behavioral health professionals served by our continuing education programs annually

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8 behavioral health degree programs & counting,
including three doctoral training pathways

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500K+ hours
of clinical service provided by PAU students every year

Be Part of the Celebration

Our 50th Anniversary is about community—past, present, and future. Discover ways to get involved, share your story, and help celebrate the people and milestones that make PAU special.
 
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Submit personal reflections, memories, and experiences that have shaped our university's history through our online form, contributing to our growing legacy collection.

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Access branded assets including official logos, color palettes, Zoom backgrounds, and messaging templates through our centralized repository for campus-wide use and sharing.

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Follow our structured framework initiatives and activities that align with celebration themes and ensure cohesive participation across all university constituencies.

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To learn more about how you can be a part of our 50th Anniversary Celebration - as a partner, sponsor, alumni, or student, please reach out:

Chloe Corcoran
Director of Alumni Relations
AlumniRelations@paloaltou.edu