I am honored to be nominated and considered for Secretary in Division 16. I have been in my current position as an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin since 2004. For me, taking on additional service at this point in my career is welcome. I have been a member of APA since I was a graduate student, and I also have a strong connection to the National Association of School Psychologists, which I joined in 2004. Soon after accepting a tenure track faculty position I participated in the School Psychology Research Collaboration Conference (SPRCC), and I later served on the SPRCC planning committee in 2007. I served as a facilitator at the Trainer’s of School Psychology Conference in 2010. I have enjoyed the service activities I have participated in, particularly collaborating with other professionals who share enthusiasm and commitment to this field.

Background

I grew up in Austin, Texas, and attended The University of Texas at Austin where I obtained a BA in psychology (1995), an MA in Educational Psychology (1998), and a PhD in School Psychology (2001). One of my early formative professional experiences was as an undergraduate counselor for the ADHD Summer Treatment Program at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh, Penn. My pre-doctoral internship was in child clinical psychology at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. After that I did a post doc at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University on an NIMH funded child phobia treatment study in a clinic setting. Then for two years I worked as project coordinator for an NIMH funded depression intervention study conducted in schools at The University of Texas at Austin. I am licensed as a psychologist in Texas (2004). I have been on the editorial boards of School Psychology Quarterly and the Journal of School Psychology for several years, and have served as a guest action editor for the Journal of School Psychology. I have provided reviews as an ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, the Journal of Educational Psychology, and School Psychology Review.

I have a commitment to social justice, and my research is in the area of learning challenges, disruptive behaviors, and mental health in youths at risk for involvement in the school to prison pipeline. I conduct research in school and juvenile justice settings and use qualitative and quantitative methods to address my research questions. The connection between research and practice is very important to me. I teach assessment, consultation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and supervise school based practica. I frequently give presentations about balancing career and family, and I strive to simply practice what I teach. Overall, I am committed to the field of school psychology and wish to be of service in it. Division 16 is an organization I strongly support. Being involved with and helping provide leadership within the profession of school psychology through Division 16 would be a pleasure. Thank you for considering my nomination for Secretary.