Stephanie Miodus, MA, MEd & Stephanie Joseph, MA, MEd
stephanie.miodus@temple.edu & stephanie.joseph08@gmail.com

We are excited to share that the Student Committee has accepted the inaugural cohort of the Grad Stepping Program, an initiative to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation of students who are underrepresented in the field of psychology. The program is open to individuals who are 18+, who are either attending 2-year or 4-year colleges and universities or not currently enrolled in college but are interested in pursuing psychology in college or graduate school in the near future, and who identify with one or more underrepresented groups. We define “underrepresented” broadly as racially/ethnically minoritized individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, international students, first-generation and/or low-income individuals, individuals who are or have been homeless, former justice system-involved individuals, and former foster youth. Presently, the cohort members have been matched and have started to meet with their graduate student mentors to work on professional development matters, especially to prepare them to apply to graduate schools. They have been participating in bimonthly meetings where they have focused on finding a program/mentor, writing personal statements, and creating CVs. Upcoming sessions will focus on preparing cohort members for interviews, addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion in graduate school, and exploring networking and leadership opportunities in graduate school or professional organizations. We also plan to feature distinguished speakers from our Division including Drs. Joanne Broder, Susan Eddington, Debbie Joffe Ellis, Alan Entin, Christopher Ferguson, Don Grant, Bernie Luskin, Linda Sapadin,  and Serena Wadhwa.

Thank you to our speakers and welcome to our cohort members: Oretioluwasefunmi O. Agbelusi, Nicole R. Benquechea, Sim Bhola, Araceli Garcia, Natalie MacGowan, Lavangi Naithani, Ayşe Nur, Sadrisha Pandit, Vanisa Senesathith, Alissa Steeb, Sonam Tsomo, and Maryam Ware!