- May Newsletter -

...............................chapman.university.association.of.school.psychologists..............................

INSIDE THIS end.of.year ISSUE
-EVENT UPDATES-
-A GLANCE AT THE FIRST YEARS' FIRST YEAR-
-2ND YEARS' ACCOLADES AND PLANS-
-FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 2016-
-GRADUATION DETAILS- 

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EVENT UPDATES

On April 3, 2016, the second annual Chapman Autism Social was held in Beckman Hall. Fitting with the event's tropical theme, 125 young adults with autism and their caregivers attended this social gathering in their best tropical style.  According to the event's coordinator, Dr. Jeanne Anne Carriere, 102 student, faculty, and staff volunteers from Chapman, Cal State Fullerton, The Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and the Grandparents Autism Network also attended. Together, attendees and volunteers danced, ate, conversed and networked, played games, and took fun photos, making the event wildly sucessful. Please keep your eyes peeled for email announcements of future autism socials!

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FIRST YEAR STUDENTS: CONGRATS ON FINISHING YEAR ONE OF THE PROGRAM!
Below, several students share their thoughts and experiences regarding their first year.
Good luck to all next year in practicum.

KYLEE MOORE
"I also did my undergrad at Chapman and spent it playing lacrosse. Graduated in three years with plans to go into this program as a freshman. My mom is also a school psych, which is how I learned about the field.

My favorite aspect is the people! The professors are so knowledgeable and helpful, and my cohort is full of personality and always makes class fun. I knew from the initial graduate interview that this program had a unique aspect of the "family" that is created. Everyone is encouraging and supportive, which is so helpful in the craziness of grad school. I also enjoy how the professors challenge us, yet have so much confidence in us that we will get it done and use the knowledge and intuition we've acquired in the appropriate ways. The greatest challenge so far is dealing with how busy you become. Quickly you learn how to balance the different aspects of your life and try to incorporate some self-care in there, but that doesn't always work out as planned :) Yet somehow you still always get everything done and show up on time!

I expected the program to be similar to undergrad, where you sit in class while the professor lectured. The actual experience has been so much different. Your learning feels much more individualized, and you have so many opportunities to use your interests and skill-set into the courses, as well as try something totally new to you. Classes are full of discussion and professors make sure that you get as much real-world experience as possible. There definitely was a learning curve, but there's so many "ah-ha" moments during the semester where it all comes together and makes sense. I've grown so much as a professional over this first year than I have in my entire undergraduate career, so that must stand for something!

For my practicum, I will be in Huntington Beach Union High School District. I [will spend one] day with Marina High School's special programs and one day at Huntington Beach High School."

JAMIE FERNICOLA
"I received my B.A. in psychology from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.  After working in a couple schools and on a children’s inpatient psychiatric unit for several years, I decided to move across the country and attend graduate school at Chapman University.  I have been loving every second of the California sunshine! 

My favorite aspect of Chapman’s program has been being immersed in so many components of school psychology within this first year.  The greatest challenge has been trying to find local resources as an out-of-towner, but my cohort has been so supportive!  My actual experience has exceeded my expectations, I have learned so much already—theoretically and practically—that makes me feel confident in my ability to be a competent school psychologist in the future; I believe these next two years will continue to strengthen this notion.  I am planning to get my practicum experience within the Placentia Yorba Linda School District. Best wishes school psychs!"

MELISSA MCINTIRE
"I graduated from UCSD in 2010 with a B.S. in Psychology (emphasis Neuroscience and Behavior) and a minor in Human Development. I have been involved in autism research for the past eight years where I coordinated studies tracking at-risk infants and training interventionists in evidence-based intervention for children with social communication difficulties. I'm research reliable on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). A fun fact about me - I played travel softball growing up and still play in a recreational league now. 

[My] favorite aspect of the program so far: I really like the cohort model. We're all in it together and help each other. [The] greatest challenge so far: balancing work, school, and homework with my personal life and friends. [The program] is more work than I thought it would be; there's a lot more assignments and group projects than I had in undergrad. I like that there really aren't "tests" but that we are applying what we are learning through presentations and papers. I think it will be really useful for working in a team, communicating with parents and students, and writing reports. In the past year I have learned so much and I'm looking forward to applying my knowledge in practicum at a Middle School in Walnut Valley Unified School District."

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2ND YEARS' ACCOLADES AND PLANS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2ND YEAR COHORT ON FINISHING THEIR PRACTICUM HOURS AND BECOMING MASTERS IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY! YOU ALL DID A FANTASTIC JOB OF POWERING THROUGH SOME PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING SEMESTERS.

 HERE IS A LIST OF JUST SOME OF THE 2ND YEARS' INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS NEXT YEAR.
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL!

Ayres, Taylor
Blakely, London
Gampe, Aja
Harrison, Jeremy
Hickey, Melissa
Kim, Esther
Krumpholz, Kari
Lallathin, Blaise 
Morrill, Anais
Riley, Nick
Saenz, Elaine
Tellier, Nick
Vu, Johnathan

Green Dot and Downey
Long Beach
Green Dot and Downey
Anaheim Union 
Placentia-Yorba Linda
Whittier  
Irvine
Tenafly Public Schools, NJ
San Diego Unified
San Diego Unified 
Long Beach
Downey
Garden Grove

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-- FAREWELL, 3RD YEARS --
YOU WILL BE MISSED!

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GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENT

The class of 2016 cohort will walk at graduation on SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016 AT 11:30 a.m. The commencement ceremony will be held on Wilson Field. Following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the Attallah Piazza. Anyone is welcome to attend both the ceremony and reception to follow to show support for the program and the graduating class.