Building lasting connections with Masters students: Planning for today, tomorrow and the next 50 years of community psychology

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Discussion

Abstract

As we reflect on the last 50 years in community psychology, an important step towards ensuring the continued growth of the field will be to enhance the recruitment and retention of masters-level community psychologists within SCRA. Although masters-level community psychologists make up the majority of community practitioners, over the years there have been low levels of engagement within SCRA. A workgroup consisting of members of the Practice Council, Early Career Group, Council of Education Programs and Masters program coordinators organized six focus groups with U.S. master’s students to identify key needs, facilitators and barriers to engagement. Our preliminary data reveal points about students’ community psychology identity and connectedness to the field, and the potential influence of faculty members, program alumni and visibility of SCRA in engaging master’s students. This 75-minute interactive session (i.e., interactive social media campaign, small group processes) is open to everyone including master’s students, master’s-level practitioners, UMASS alumni, and SCRA leadership. This session will include: 1) discussion of key findings; 2) discussion of existing initiatives that connect master’s students and practitioners; and 3) development of a broad action plan to enhance engagement within SCRA. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Swampscott and the hosting of the Biennial by a Master’s program is a unique opportunity for this session and sets a compelling backdrop for discussion and action regarding engagement among master’s students and master’s-level community psychologists.

Sub Unit

• SCRA Biennial Meeting

Chair

• Kyrah K Brown, Wichita State University

Presenters

• Sarah Suiter, Vanderbilt University

• Andrew Jon Hostetler, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Sharon Johnson-Hakim, Atlantic Health System

• Ashlee Lien, SUNY College at Old Westbury

• Michele Schlehofer, Salisbury University

• Susan M. Wolfe, CNM Connect

• bill berkowitz, U of MASS Lowell