极乐禁地

A wealth of ideas and best practices are slated to converge upon One Wells Avenue in October when 极乐禁地 hosts a pair of pivotal events among psychology enthusiasts. will convene on campus for each organization鈥檚 annual conference鈥攅qually anticipated among experts in the field, practitioners in training, and teachers of psychology.

鈥淏eyond it being a really inclusive, open conference that welcomes the joy of psychology, I enjoy the NEPA conference because it reaches undergrads and graduate students and professionals,鈥� says Daniel B. Jacobs, PsyD, EdM, MBA, Associate Professor, School Psychology and Organizational Leadership Psychology Departments, who brings deep experience to the table: The eight-time NEPA presenter, whose expertise lies in cross-cultural issues surrounding substance abuse, has applied to present at both the NEPA and NECTOP conferences this year; he is awaiting word as to his status.

鈥淭he student-centered nature of NEPA gives these bright and capable undergraduates and graduate students鈥攚ho have engaged in hands-on research with faculty, mentors, and peers鈥攖he opportunity to present their work publicly, often for the very first time,鈥� says Beth Rogan, Director of Educational Partnerships, who is at the helm of organizing these events for the College.

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE

Jacobs considers the NEPA Conference an accessible entry-level event for students to attend鈥攐ne free from some of the challenges others can present. Traditionally held on a college campus in one of the six New England states, attendance requires neither airfare nor overnight accommodations鈥攑utting the full kaleidoscope of addresses, symposia, workshops, papers, and posters on psychological science research and teaching within reach of all.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not orthodox in one type of psychology, that鈥檚 the beauty of the NEPA Conference!鈥� says Jacobs of wide-ranging poster presentations that include all of the psychologies鈥攆rom clinical and counseling, to school and organizational鈥攔ather than focus on single silos as is often the case with many psychological conferences. Another benefit? 

鈥淣ot everyone likes making public presentations, and this is a great chance for students to interact with a diverse range of people, promote the concepts they鈥檝e been studying, and answer questions about their research in a room full of other people doing the very same thing,鈥� says Jacobs emphasizing up to five sessions of poster presentations throughout the weekend.

NEPA鈥檚 focus on sharing information and making connections means attending this conference is fun for all.

鈥淚 enjoy meeting students from other schools who bring great questions while having the chance to showcase our programs to those pursuing graduate work,鈥� says Jacobs, underscoring one he鈥檚 particularly passionate about: Addressing Substance Abuse in Schools. The two-credit elective, first offered in 2017, positioned Jacobs鈥� MA/CAGS level school psychology students among the very few nationwide currently receiving this training. After three years doing so on an ad hoc basis, the 极乐禁地 administration has committed to fund the course so that, going forward, students in Jacobs鈥� program no longer have to pay for it. 

ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK APPROACH

Preparing to host this event requires a team effort among folks from almost every academic department, as well as Marketing, IT and Facilities鈥攁 process in which Rogan and colleagues are well-versed, having done so once before in 2017. 

鈥淭he folks who participate in putting the conference together鈥攁ll of whom are volunteers鈥攄o so because they believe the work is important,鈥� says Rogan, who currently sits on the NEPA Advisory Board and is a member of their Steering Committee. She and Jacobs point to NEPA Coordinator Michael Amico, Ph.D., as not only instrumental in facilitating the multi-faceted process but also being a pleasure to work with.  

鈥淥ur building is getting spruced up, and  we have a beautiful new deck under construction,鈥� says Rogan who hosted Amico and the Steering Committee in early May. After witnessing how the space is taking shape, all were reminded of the host location鈥檚 central draw:

鈥淭hat our campus is one building makes for an intimate, accessible, and inclusive event,鈥� says Rogan who anticipates all hands on deck throughout the weekend. In addition to faculty and staff support, she anticipates 50 student volunteers doing everything from welcoming attendees and helping them find meeting spaces to providing IT and general support during presentations; if all goes according to plan, Rogan envisions creating a drop-in space to facilitate student-to-student conversation.  

Rogan, whose tenure spans 15 years, remains in awe of what unfolds across campus every single day. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such important, transformative work,鈥� she adds, calling the chance to host this conference, 鈥渁nd represent the 极乐禁地 mission through our students, our faculty, and our physical space,鈥� a wonderful opportunity for the College and the community at large.

GET INVOLVED

Since its inception in 1963, NEPA has been mission driven to advance psychology as a science, profession, and means of promoting human welfare. Partnering with NECTOP, the organization is advancing educational standards in the field of psychology like never before.

鈥淲e want students to be aware of what programs are out there in the field鈥攅specially viewed through a lens of pursuing applied work with individuals鈥攂ecause there's such a need for clinicians,鈥� says Rogan, sharing a sentiment with which Jacobs agrees:

 鈥淎midst an ongoing shortage of folks pursuing careers in behavioral health, we really need the next generation to step up and let us train them.鈥� 

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