Originally from Hawaii, Dr. Peters is Native Hawaiian and earned her PhD in Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University) in Palo Alto, CA. Specializing in both human and cultural development, Dr. Peters work is concerned with the bio-psycho-social determinants of health and the challenges faced by vulnerable and oppressed populations in the U.S. and beyond. Emphasizing the significance of human development and value systems as a metric for understanding culture, Dr. Peters is also a systems thinker and a researcher who appreciates the factors of complexity inherent in natural phenomena and the evolutionary dynamics of change.
Dr. Peters has an interdisciplinary background that includes humanistic psychologies, culture/ethnicity, feminism and gender concerns, integral philosophies, systems/complexity science, integrative health, alternative healing practices, and traditional Indigenous knowledge. She has been avidly engaged in the leadership and governance of the American Psychological Association and many of its associated divisions for over consecutive 12 years.
Dr. Peters values working with students to help them succeed and she excels in mentoring and supporting students in their academic and professional pursuits.
Affiliate Faculty
Undergraduate Studies
Adjunct Faculty
Individualized Master of Arts
- Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University), Palo Alto, CA
Ph.D., Psychology with a concentration in Transpersonal Psychology, Graduated: May 2011 - Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University), Palo Alto, CA
M.A., Transpersonal Studies, Graduated: July 2006 - Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
B.S., Electronics Management, cum laude, Graduated: Dec 1990
My personal philosophy of education and teaching is grounded in the belief that to be an effective and ethical teacher is a sacred responsibility. Therefore, I approach the classroom and my role as a teacher with the goal of student-centered learning and endeavor to create an environment that will facilitate each student’s ability to learn, foster respectful behavior with attention to diversity, and stimulate critical thinking. It is my desire that students not just complete the work I assign, but also that they will have found some added value by doing so. Additionally, my philosophy of teaching is informed by the material I teach, relevant scholarship, and the lessons I have learned from my personal teaching successes and failures. As an instructor, I believe it my privilege to provide opportunities to students that will enable them to discover what learning and epistemology truly mean, and to embrace and integrate each individual’s sense of greatness and connectedness to all things into their definition of self and their perception of fellow beings.
- Roy, L, Duarte, M., Gonzales, C., Peters, W. (2022). Social media: Extending the boundaries of Indian country. In W. C. Sturtevant, editor, Handbook of North American Indians. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian.
Peters, W. M. K., & Green, J. M. (2020). Reservation to Graduation (R2G): Cultural Revitalization and Indigenist Mentoring. The Chronicle of Mentoring & Coaching, 1(Special Issue 13), 68–73.
Peters, W. M. K., & Green, J. (2018). Book Review: Critically sovereign: Indigenous gender, sexuality, and feminist studies. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 42(3), 386–387.
Peters, W. M. K. (2016). The embodied library: The culmination of all who came before. In Indigenous notions of ownership and libraries, archives and museums (pp. 25–39). Berlin Boston: De Gruyter Saur.
Gray, J. S., Peters, W. M. K., & McCullagh, J. A. (2016). Psychological assessment considerations for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. In F. T. L. Leong & Y. S. Park (Eds.), Testing and assessment with persons and communities of color (Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Peters, W. M. K. (2015). We are Humans Being: Naming, Identity, and Overcoming the Soul Wound Phenomenon. In The American Mosaic: The American Indian Experience.
Peters, W., and Gray, J. (2014). Indigenous women and wisdom: An eternal chain of being. In D. Willis, and T. Bryant-Davis (Eds.), Religion and Spirituality for Diverse Women. Goleta, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Peters, W. M. K., Straits, K., & Gauthier, P. (2014). Psychological practice with Native women. In C. Enns, J. Rice & R. Nutt (Eds.), Psychological Practice with Women: Respecting Diversity and Fostering Empowerment. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.
Peters, W. M. K., Green, J. M., & Gauthier, P. E. (2014). Native American medicine: The implications of history and the embodiment of culture. In R. Gurung (Ed.), Multicultural approaches to health and wellness in America. Goleta, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Peters, W. M. K. (2012). The Indigenous soul wounding: Understanding culture, memetics, complexity and emergence. In S. Pinder (Ed.), American multicultural studies diversity of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality (pp. 213-228). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Peters, W. M. K. (2011). The Indigenous soul wound: Exploring culture, memetics, complexity and emergence. (Ph.D., Institute of Transpersonal Psychology). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses
Peters, W., (Mar 2021). “Weathering the storms of change: Rebounding from disruptive life challenges” (Invited Address). Network of the National Library of Medicine, (Virtual) Iowa City, IA.
Peters, W., Jackson, T., Hsu, H., Ikizler, A., Romero, A., Millan, F. (Nov 2020). Systemic Racism in Psychology: National Ethnic Minority Psychological Association (NEMPA) Perspectives (Webinar). The American Insurance Trust webinar series, We Hold These Truths: Perspectives on Health Disparities, Racial Identities & Cultural Humility.
Peters, W. M. K., & Green, J. (Oct 2020) Reservation to Graduation (R2G): Cultural Revitalization and Indigenist Mentoring. 13th Annual Mentoring Conference, University of New Mexico Mentoring Institute, Virtual
Peters, W., Lincourt, T., Fayard, C., McNeil, B., Najera, B. (Aug 2019). “Reducing Health Disparities With an integrated Approach—Addressing the Spirituality Taboo” (Symposium). 127th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL
Peters, W., Green, J., Ross, R., Stumblingbear-Riddle, G., Lincourt, T. (Aug 2019). “Community Policing: Overcoming Silos and Forging Alliances” (Symposium). 127th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL
Peters, W., (Jan 2019). “A Native Perspective on Trauma: Bridging Past, Present, and Possibilities” (Invited Address). American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, Seattle, WA.
Peters, W., Green, J., Garcia. M. (Jan 2019). “Creating New Spaces Through Multicultural Feminism” (Symposium). National Multicultural Conference and Summit, Denver, CO.
Peters, W., Jacobs, B., Ross, R., Young, A., Smith, M. (Aug 2018). “What is it about the numbers of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls” (Symposium). 126th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA
Peters, W., Green, J., Vivas, D., Loyola, D., Melvin, C.U., Turner, M. (Jun 2018). “Diversity is not enough” (Symposium). ABPsi 50th Annual Convention, Oakland, CA.
Peters, W., Green, J., Selby-Nelson, E., Pietrantonio, K., Rubin, N., Ross, R., Young, A., Smith, M. (Aug 2017). “Big Oil, Economic Booms and the Potential for Collateral Damage” (Symposium). 125th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
Hollis-Sawyer, L., Gergen, M., Powers, S., Peters, W., Cole, E. (Aug 2017). “Abolishing the Decrement and Decline Model of Women’s Aging” (Symposium). 125th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
Peters, W. (Aug 2017). “Native Women Elders as Culturebearers and Wisdom Keepers” (Presentation). 125th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
Peters, W., Garcia, M. A., Green, J. (Jan 2017). “Cultural Mentoring for Native Americans: Imparting Authentic Identity, Values, and Ethics” (Symposium). National Multicultural Conference and Summit, Portland, OR.
Peters, W., Civish, G., Riebel, L., Smith, J., Loyola, D., Urquhart, G., Sample, J., Rockwell, D. (Aug 2016). “Subversive Spirit: A Humanistic Exploration of Transformation” (Symposium). 124th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association Denver, Colorado.
Peters, W. (June 2016). “Understanding Intergenerational Trauma: Origins, Characteristics and Outcomes from a Native American Perspective” (Workshop). Mental Health Cultural Competence Training Center, Family Service Association, State of New Jersey.
Peters, W. (April 2016). “Ethical Awareness for a Multi-Cultural Society” Workshop. Mental Health Cultural Competence Training Center, Family Service Association, State of New Jersey.
Krupnik, I., Holton, G., Sharp, L., Duarte, M., Gonzalez, C., Peters, W. & Roy, L. (Sep 2015). Expanding Native American Heritage and Community Access in the 21st Century (Poster), International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums. Washington, DC.
Peters, W., Jacobs, B, & Williams, J. (Aug 2015). “Vulnerable Populations: International and United States Perspectives” (Symposium). 123rd Annual APA Convention, Toronto, Ontario, CA.
Peters, W., & Mihecoby, A. (Aug 2015). “Native Perspectives on Historical and Intergenerational Trauma” (Conversation Hour Panel). 123rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ontario, CA.
Peters, W., & Green, J., Garcia, M. (Jan 2015). “Skillful Navigation of Culture and Ethics” (Workshop). National Multicultural Conference and Summit 2015, Atlanta, GA.
Peters, W., & Green, J., Ross, R. (Aug 2014). “Big Sister, Little Sister: Forging a Path from Reservation to Graduation” Symposium. 122nd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
Peters, W., Mihecoby, A, Ross, R., Wheeler, M. (Aug 2014). “Big Sister, Little Sister: Considerations for Culturally Grounded Mentoring” Conversation Hour Panel. 122nd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C
Houston-Armstrong, T., Peters, W., & Green, J. (Jun 2014). “Using a Social Justice Framework to Mentor Students of Color.” American Psychological Association Division 45 Research Conference, Eugene, Oregon.
Peters, W., Tsong, Y., & Konik, J. (Mar 2014). “Culturally Grounded Leadership: Embodied History Guides Our Future” National Association for Women in Psychology Conference, Columbus, Ohio.
Peters, W., & Green, J. (Mar 2014). “Big sisters, little sisters; Navigating across cultures in higher education” National Association for Women in Psychology Conference, Columbus, Ohio.
Peters, W., & GreyWolf, I. (Aug 2013). Embodying Indigenous Women’s wisdom symposium. 121st Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Peters, W., & GreyWolf, I. (Aug 2013). “Bearers of the Culture: Truth & Fiction” One part of a panel on Hawaiian, Alaskan and Native American Women’s Voices-Preserving Culture Following Trauma. 121st Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Peters, W., & GreyWolf, I. (Aug 2013). “Ancestral Endowments: Hula and the Hawaiian Family Tree” One part of a panel on Hawaiian, Alaskan and Native American Women’s Voices-Preserving Culture Following Trauma. 121st Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Peters, W., GreyWolf, I., Green, J., LaFramboise, T., Gray, J., Willis, D. J., & Morse, G. (Aug 2013). Indigenous Women: Reframing Native History, Heritage, and Cultural Distinction Symposium. 121st Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Peters, W., Saw, A., Olmos, N., Morton, E., Troupe, F., Pena, E., & Iwasaki, M. (Jul 2013). Towards a Comprehensive Culturally Grounded Leadership Model for Ethnic Minority Psychologists Symposium. 2013 Asian American Psychological Association Convention, Honolulu, HI.
Peters, W. (Jun 2013). Use of Indigenous/Indigenist research methodologies (Invited Speaker). Collaborative Research Center for American Indian Health (CRCAIH) Annual Summit, Sioux Falls, SD.
Grayshield, L., Peters, W., Mihecoby, A., & Luna, L. (Mar 2013). Indigenous Ways of Knowing (IWOK) Pre-conference Workshop. Annual Conference of the American Counseling Association, Cincinnati, OH.
GreyWolf, I. and Peters, W. (2013, January). Psychology of Human Trafficking, Discussants. National Multicultural Summit (NMCS), Houston, Texas
Peters, W. (Oct 2012). Indigenous Soul Wounding (Invited Speaker). Joint 10th Annual American Indian Health Research Conference and 4th Annual North Dakota IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Conference, Grand Forks, ND.