On the Student Front: A Note from The Outgoing Student Representative

Reflections on two years of service to the Society of Pediatric Psychology

By: Perry A. Catlin, M.S.

As I transition out of my role as Student Representative for Division 54, I am filled with immense gratitude for the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that have shaped the past two years. Serving as Chair of the Student Advisory Board (SAB) and as a member of the Board of Directors has been one of the most rewarding and transformative chapters of my journey through graduate school. It has been both a privilege and an honor to represent the students and trainees within the Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP) and to amplify their voices in ways that I hope have fostered meaningful change.

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary members of the SAB. Your collaboration, passion, and tireless efforts have been the heartbeat of our collective achievements. Working alongside such talented and dedicated student leaders has been inspiring, and I am humbled to have been in a community with such an exceptional group of people. Throughout my term, I often found myself receiving credit for initiatives that were truly the result of the SAB’s teamwork. I want to take this opportunity to personally recognize the outstanding members I’ve had the privilege of serving with: Amanda Flagg, Annisa Ahmed, Ariel Blakey, Ashley Wolfe, Brooke Greenberg, Caitlyn Maye, Cecily Conour, Ellison Choate, Isabella (Isa) Sereno, Jennifer Kelleher, Karen Dimentstein, Katie Davis, Kelsey Hill, Kirby-Estar Laguerre, Mariela Monzalvo, Meghan Howe, Mycah Ayala, Rachel Fisher, Taylor Gates, and Yael Gross. Your dedication to advancing SPP’s mission and supporting your fellow trainees has been nothing short of remarkable, and I am endlessly grateful for your contributions.

I am equally indebted to the incredible mentors who guided me throughout this journey: Drs. Christina Low Kapalu, Christina Duncan, Idia Thurston, Megan Cohen, Naadira Upshaw, and Thomaseo Burton. Your mentorship, encouragement, and unwavering advocacy for SPP trainees have been invaluable. You have taught me what it means to lead with purpose, compassion, and humility, and I am profoundly grateful for the impact you have had on my growth, both as a leader and as a person.

Two months into my term, APA published guidelines on the Equitable and Respectful Treatment of Students in Graduate Psychology Programs. Coming on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and the national unrest following social injustices (e.g., the murder of George Floyd), this aspirational document served as a beacon of hope and guidance for our work. It reminded me of the critical role we play in creating a community that prioritizes psychological safety, well-being, and equity for all trainees.

With these values in mind, my primary goals as Student Representative were to cultivate an environment within SPP that centered trainees’ well-being, fostered inclusivity, and empowered students to find their voices within pediatric psychology. Together with the SAB, we worked diligently to bring these goals to life through several impactful initiatives, including:

• Expanding outreach and service efforts to strengthen SPP’s connection with the community.
• Conducting a student needs assessment to inform data-driven advocacy for resources addressing trainee needs.
• Advocating for equitable and respectful treatment of trainees at all levels by amplifying student voices and championing their concerns.
• Launching the inaugural SPP Virtual 3-Minute Thesis Competition, a platform for trainees to showcase their research.
• Creating new opportunities for trainees from HBCUs and other underrepresented programs to engage with SPP and attend SPPAC.
• Collaborating with the programming committee to increase mentorship opportunities, particularly those fostering interinstitutional connections.
• Producing compelling episodes of the SPP Podcast to highlight important topics in pediatric psychology and student-led initiatives.

These accomplishments reflect the collective efforts of the SAB and the support of our mentors, and I am deeply proud of what we have achieved together.

Beyond the professional milestones, this role has been transformative on a personal level. It has allowed me to cultivate lifelong friendships, develop invaluable leadership skills, and deepen my commitment to serving others. While stepping down is bittersweet, I take comfort in knowing that the SAB is in exceptional hands.

Annisa Ahmed, the incoming Student Representative, and Francesca Lupini, the Student Representative-Elect, are phenomenal leaders with the passion, vision, and dedication needed to continue advocating for and supporting SPP trainees. I have no doubt that they will build on our work and lead the SAB to new heights.

To my fellow trainees: I encourage you to get involved in SPP. There is a place for everyone at this table, and the rewards of contributing to this vibrant community are immeasurable. If you’re interested in learning more about how to get involved, please reach out to Annisa and Francesca at SPP.StudentRep@gmail.com.

Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the SPP community for entrusting me with this role. Serving as your Student Representative has been an honor, and I am profoundly grateful for the support, and encouragement I’ve received along the way. Should you ever wish to connect, please feel free to contact me at perry.catlin@marquette.edu.

 

Best,

-P