CANDIDATE STATEMENT
As graduate students in psychology we share a student identity that can be challenging to navigate. I strongly believe the major role of APAGS is to empower student’s voices within APA and prepare them for life after graduate training.
I have demonstrated my commitment to graduate students’ issues through my involvement in leadership and advocacy. Nationally, I am currently a member of the APAGS, Committee for the Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Diversity, where I have played an active role in advocating for the Minority Fellowship Program on Capitol Hill. Additionally, I served as Co-Chair of the International Student Subcommittee for the Planning Committee of the Counseling Psychology in Action Conference.
At a university level, I am currently serving as President-Elect of the Counseling Psychology Organization and I served as the graduate assistant of a Multicultural Resource Center/Diversity Committee for the college at my institution. Currently I am a student member of APA divisions 17, 35, 44, and 45. My professional involvement in various divisions and APAGS has shaped my development as a trainee and emboldened me to find information relevant to the unique needs of graduate students. Our shared identity as students is the driving force underlying my desire to run for Member-At-Large Communication Focus.
If elected to serve as Member-At-Large Communication Focus I will collaborate with APAGS to ensure we attend to all student voices from all divisions, with sensitivity to diverse identities including students in non-practice oriented programs. Furthermore, I will continue and enrich the APAGS tradition of programming and professional development to enhance the graduate school experience so students can successfully navigate graduate school and transition to becoming early career professionals.
VISION
As graduate students in psychology we all are part of different divisions that attend to our different research interests, clinical interests, and sociocultural identities. We have all found a home within these different divisions to support us during our graduate training. Yet, I want APAGS to serve as a home for all graduate students in psychology. Where APAGS attends to ALL the needs of our different intersecting identities inside and outside the context of our graduate training experience. Therefore, if elected to be Member at Large Communication Focus I will priortize that APAGS becomes more attuned to the diverse constituence it represents. Additionally, If elected I plan to keep working and supporting the APAGS full committee with the following initatives:
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Internship Crisis: I will work tirelessly with APAGS to find solutions to the internship crisis and help alleviate student’s stress during the process.
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Diversity within APAGS: I will collaborate with APAGS to ensure we attend to all student voices, with sensitivity to diverse identities including students in non-practice oriented programs.
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Education/Training: I will continue the APAGS tradition of programming with renewed vigor and fresh perspective: bringing innovative workshops, educational webinars, professional networking and interactive mentorship opportunities so students can successfully navigate graduate school and transition to becoming early career professionals.