UConn SASP

Student Association of School Psychology

UConn SASP Mission Statement:

The Student Association of School Psychology at the University of Connecticut‘s Neag School of Education (UConn SASP) is a graduate student organization with the formal purpose to: (a) increase student collaboration and dissemination of evidence-based practices and research; (b) provide professional development; (c) engage in outreach, advocacy, and service to the community; (d) keep students abreast of current opportunities and initiatives in the field; and (e) promote systemic social justice and anti-racism. 

Virtual or in-person meetings are held every four to six weeks to discuss SASP projects, programmatic concerns, and broader issues in the field of school psychology. UConn SASP seeks to fulfill this mission through engaging in activities such as the following: 

  • Invite practitioners to share their expertise on various areas of practice

  • Disseminate social justice resource lists with recommended media

  • Coordinate interview day for new applicants to the program

  • Plan program social events for current students, including an annual NASP social event with current students and alumni

  • Manage a mentoring program to support incoming students 

  • Promote awareness of school psychology, such as by engaging in the NASP Exposure Project with undergraduate and high school students 

  • Manage Twitter and other related social media accounts to distribute program-level and field-related news and trainings

  • Engage in conversations around social justice and anti-racism via events such as the annual NASP Social Justice Book Read

The executive board of SASP is responsible for fulfilling these objectives to the best of their ability through collaboration, program leadership, and faculty consultation. The board welcomes both MA/6th Year and PhD students across all stages of the program.

 

Current members of the SASP executive board include:

President: Emily Winter

Vice President: Sophie Rodenbush

Treasurer: Alexandra Pierce

Secretary: Alyssa Bunyea

Service Coordinator: Tamia Thomas

Faculty Advisor: Tamika La Salle, PhD

 

Email: uconnsasp@gmail.com

Facebook: UConnSASP

Message from SASP

UConn Student Association of School Psychology and current students echo the condemnation against racism and hate crimes made towards the APPI Community last week. We agree with statements made by the National Association of School Psychologists, as well as UConn President Katsouleas and UConn Stamford Campus Director Terrence Cheng. Ultimately meaningless when devoid of action, words alone do not enact change, actions do. As school psychologists and global citizens, we need to go out and do the work, take strides outside of our comfort zones, and fight the implicit biases within ourselves that plague our communities to create a better society systemically.
Resources: 

Social Justice NASP Book Read 2020

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Social Justice Committee (SJC) has selected Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Healthcare by Dayna Matthew, PhD for a group read for the 2020–2021 school year. There are also guided questions designed to help readers think both broadly and specifically about how the issues discussed in the book connect to social justice for youth and families who experience health disparities. The questions are also designed to prompt thought, critique, and action steps towards increasing the ability of individuals, schools, and communities to be a force for social justice.

Please see the following link for more information and a for a discount code if you would like to purchase a copy of the book. Alternatively, you can find a free copy via the UConn library.

 

Just Medicine - A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care Book Cover
Just Medicine - A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care