SASP Leadership

Student Affiliates in School Psychology (SASP) is the student-led organization of APA’s Division 16: School Psychology. One of the main goals of SASP is to keep graduate students up to date on issues pertaining to school psychology and to encourage participation in activities that will further strengthen this discipline in the future. Please feel free to email the board with general inquiries. Please refer to this document if you have research you would like to disseminate via SASP’s LISTSERV and social media.

Jessica Poling

President

Hello! My name is Jessica Poling and I will serve as the D16 SASP President this year. I am a second year doctoral student at the University of Connecticut. Connecticut is new territory for me, as I have lived in Michigan for most of my life. My undergraduate coursework was in International Studies, Spanish, and Economics, followed by graduate schooling in Evaluation, Measurement, and Research, however I have a passion for working with children and their families, which ultimately led me to school psych. My current research interests include understanding and improving culturally responsive practices in education, improving school experiences for immigrant and foster youth, and working with incarcerated children and parents. During my time in SASP, I hope to develop relationships with school psychology students across the country and do my best to understand the needs and experiences of members in our community. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time with questions, concerns, or comments about SASP or if I can be of assistance to you throughout your graduate studies. If you are ever in New England, I am happy to grab coffee or show you around!

Daisy Bautista

President-Elect

Hello! I am excited to be this year’s president-elect for the SASP board. I am a second year doctoral student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where I also completed my Masters in Education. I completed my bachelors in Psychology in 2011. Since then, I have worked in sales, management, administrative, human resources, and recruiting positions for over 15 years. After having children of my own, and have had the opportunity to tutor and mentor children, I turned to the path of school psychology. My research interests include 1) the educational barriers for first generation American students with parents who do not speak the English language, 2) the short-term and long-term effects of bullying in children, and 3) determining if the use of electronic devices in the classroom is an advantage or disadvantage in educational successes. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, cooking, and gardening. I look forward to the new experiences to come as the president-elect and future president of the SASP board. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, suggestions or feedback about APA Division 16 or SASP. 

Séan Harry

Past President

Hi there! I’m excited to become the D16 SASP Past President after spending the past year as President. I’m a second-year doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I also work as a researcher. I completed an undergraduate degree at Kingston University London, and master’s at the Institute of Education (University College London). Following my degree, I spent time as a researcher at King’s College London & the University of Surrey. Advocating for equality and fairness is core to who I am; throughout my education and career, I have served on various Diversity & Inclusion committees. I hope to continue improving networking and collaboration opportunities for students across the US, especially for underrepresented and minority students. Please get in touch with me directly if you have questions or issues that you would like to raise. I’m looking forward to continuing my work on the board providing opportunities for students to collaborate, network, and develop their professional skills.

Sam Leff

Editor

Hi everyone! I’m Sam and I am a third-year school psychology Ed.M student at Teachers College, Columbia University and SASP’s 2023 Editor! I previously received my B.A. in psychology with minors in child advocacy and LGBTQ studies from Montclair State University. Clinically, I am interested in eventually working with sexual and gender minority youth. I am also interested in eventually pursuing research into this population. In my free time, I’m an avid reader and filmgoer. I am looking forward to continuing my work with SASP and with everyone involved! Please reach out to me with any questions.

Sindhu Venkat

Editor-Elect

Hello friends! My name is Sindhu, and I’ll be serving as the Editor-Elect for the National Executive Board of D16 SASP for 2023. I’m a second-year (and will be third-year by summer) graduate student at the University of Missouri, working towards my PhD in school psychology. My research interests center around prevention science, internalizing disorders in youth, and a lens of cultural humility — hopefully soon that’ll turn into a coherent research question! I’m honored to be working with clinicians and scholars at the Family Access Center for Excellence in Boone County, Missouri, and hope to have a real impact on students and families in the community through my work. In my free time, I adore reading (usually fictional romances), cooking/baking/hosting dinner parties (I’m always down to swap recipes), and singing (I just joined the university chorale!). Reach out if you’re interested in learning more about any of the above or if you want to meet up at any upcoming conferences! 

Lakhvir Kaur

Diversity Affairs Chair

Hello, everyone!  I am so excited to serve as your SASP Diversity Affairs Chair. Currently, I am a first year school psychology doctoral student at University of California, Santa Barbara. Before beginning the doctoral program, I received my Education Specialist Degree (EDS) and Pupil Personnel Service (PPS) Credentials in School Psychology at California State University, San Bernardino. My research interests include examining mental health outcomes in Sikh children who become victims of bullying and harassment and developing appropriate school-based interventions and practices. Furthermore, I am interested in exploring English Language Learner’s representation in Special Education, specifically related to identification and placement. I am more than happy to connect via email with any suggestions or feedback regarding SASP, Division 16, Social Justice, and diversity-related topics. 

Daijah Hines

Diversity Affairs Chair-Elect

Hi everyone! I am excited to represent as this year’s SASP Diversity Affairs Chair-Elect. I am a second-year doctoral student in school psychology at the University of South Florida (#GoBulls). Prior to attending graduate school, I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University. I also worked as a Match Support Specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. My research interests include promoting youth resiliency through school-based mental health services and resources that are tailored to student needs. My second passion is promoting social justice through equitable approaches. Furthermore, I am interested in evidence-based approaches to supporting the mental health of Black, Indigenous, and BIPOC youth, with a focus on internalizing disorders. I am also interested in evidence-based methods for advancing and encouraging system change. In my spare time, I like to catch up with friends, spend time with family, and have a fun night in. I also enjoy journaling, yoga, nature walks, and getting outside and active with my dog Bentley. Please contact me via email if you have any comments or suggestions about SASP, Division 16, Social Justice, or diversity-related topics!

Eric Field

Convention Chair

Hi, everyone! I am a “third year” student at University of Iowa. I used quotes because I’ve been a school psychology student for five years. I was an Ed.S. student at Valparaiso University. After earning my M.Ed. in Educational and Psychological Foundations after one year, I transferred into the Ph.D. program at University of Kansas. When I learned the University of Iowa program was reopening a year later, I transferred back home to be close to my family. I currently work as a research assistant at the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. My research interests involve gifted and twice-exceptional students (gifted students with coexisting disabilities), especially examining how to improve pre-service training for all education professionals. Currently I am working on two research teams, one which examines the effects of a Talent Identification and Career Exploration curriculum on middle school students and another systematically reviewing literature on twice-exceptional children over the past decade. In my free time, I love doing karaoke and running an independent Girl Scout troop with my wife for our two daughters. I enjoy attending conventions and want to make sure the upcoming convention is an excellent opportunity for networking, learning, and enhancing our expertise as future school psychologists.

Sydney Klainberg

Convention Chair-Elect

Hello! I’m Sydney, and I am excited to serve as the 2023 Convention Chair-Elect for the SASP. I am currently a fourth-year school psychology doctoral student at the Pennsylvania State University (We Are!), where I also completed my M.Ed. in school psychology. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, I earned my B.A. in Psychology with a minor in human development at the State University of New York College at Geneseo. I was driven to find an intersection between my passions for psychology, education, and working with children and youth and am so happy that I discovered school psychology! My research interests are mainly translational and include (but are not limited to) mental health, social and emotional learning, and supportive partnerships with educators and caregivers. For example, I am currently working on research evaluating the use of social media and other internet platforms for educators seeking affordable, easy-to-implement resources and strategies with their students. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and friends, as well as crafting, cooking, and taking care of my two cats and puppy.

Alexandra (Lexie) Mastrangelo

Student & Chapter Relations

Hello everyone! First and foremost, I wanted to express my excitement to be afforded the opportunity and privilege again to continue serving on the SASP board. Currently, I am a third-year Psy.D student studying school psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Before matriculating into graduate school, I completed my undergraduate degree at Ursinus College, where I earned Bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Dance Education. To integrate my knowledge and passions for Neuroscience and Psychology, one of my goals is to also pursue a Neuropsychology certification upon graduating from PCOM’s Psy.D program. My research interest includes state anxiety and the effects on the updating function of working memory. I am interested in school-based interventions along with various coping mechanisms that have been explored and utilized in the classrooms as well. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, going out try new restaurants and exploring new places around the area I live. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions about the membership process. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone again!

Amanda Barrett

Student & Chapter Relations-Elect

Hi all! I am beyond excited to serve as your Student & Chapter Relations Elect this year. I am a first-year school psychology doctoral student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before matriculating into graduate school, I received a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Iowa. My research interests include fostering accessible behavioral health care, differences in bullying behaviors in populations with disabilities, and the adaptation of interventions across modalities and for diverse populations. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with others! Please feel free to reach out regarding SASP chapters, national collaboration and community, or whatever else!

Claire Martin

Communications Liaison

Hello Everyone! I am so excited to serve as this year’s communications liaison. I am currently a second year in the School Psychology Education Specialist program at Northern Arizona University where I serve as the SASP chapter president. Before moving to Flagstaff, I lived my whole life in Wisconsin where I completed my bachelors degree in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At UW Madison I worked in The Social Kids research lab, and my work there made me want to pursue a career working with children. I am so happy I found school psychology, and I want to make others aware of this career path as well. Outside of school I enjoy rock climbing, hiking with my dog, and spending time with friends and family. Please reach out to me with any questions or suggestions!