Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

WHEN one is described a professor of psychology and a historian, the image that comes to mind is a serious, no-nonsense guy. Yet, Professor Kevin Nadal does not fit that description. In fact, he is also a stand-up comedian. Truly, Kevin Nadal is unique.

He describes himself as a one-man show.

A professor, psychologist, performer, activist, and author, Kevin L. Nadal, Ph.D. received his doctorate in counseling psychology from Columbia University in 2008. As an assistant professor of mental health counseling and psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice- City University of New York, he has published several works focusing on Filipino American, ethnic minority, and LGBTQ issues in the fields of psychology and education. He has been involved in the Pilipino American, Asian Pacific American, and ethnic minority communities for as long as he can remember.

A California-bred New Yorker, Kevin is also a stand-up comedian and spoken word artist who has performed across the United States since 2000. He was named one of People Magazine’s hottest bachelors in 2006 and has been featured in many TV shows and news magazines.

His first book, Filipino American Psychology: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice, is the first book of its kind and was launched on June 25, 2009.

Having earned BA’s in Psychology and Political Science from the University of California at Irvine and an MA in Counseling from Michigan State University, he received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University in New York City in 2008. His research has focused on the Filipino American experience, particularly Filipino American identity and mental health. His "Pilipino American Identity Development Model" (2004) has advocated for Filipino American culturally competent services in education, psychology, and health. He has published in numerous books and journals including the American Psychologist, Asian American Psychology: Current Perspectives, Encyclopedia of Cross-cultural Psychology, Journal of Counseling and Development, and the Encyclopedia of Counseling.

Kevin has been performing stand up comedy and one-man shows across the US for the past decade. He performs regularly in his adopted hometown of New York City, at places like the world famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe and Bowery Poetry Cafe in Manhattan. He has performed one-man shows and standup comedy at numerous venues in 21 out of the 50 US States.