-
Executive Committee
-
President
Grace Ritchie (she/her) | Grace.Ritchie@du.edu
Grace is a 4th-year Ph.D. Student and President of the SASP board. She currently serves as a Pediatric Behavioral Health Extern at National Jewish Health and a Pre-Doctoral Therapist at the Reaching HOPE mental health agency. Her research interests relate to the use of expressive interventions in schools and in support of youth with traumatic brain injuries. Grace also enjoys painting, hiking, and caring for animals. She looks forward to supporting and collaborating with her fellow MCE students through her role in SASP!
-
Vice President
Eliza Lee | Eliza.Lee@du.edu
Eliza Lee will serve this year as the Vice President on SASP and is currently a 2nd year E.d.S. student. She previously attended Baylor University and obtained a degree in Elementary and Special Education with a minor in Educational Psychology. ELiza has lived in Colorado for a large majority of her life and loves to be outdoors! She enjoys hiking, biking, riding horses, and spending time with her dog Stella! She is looking forward to working with you all and being on the SASP board!
-
Communications Director
Kimberly Diamonti (she/her) | Kimberly.Diamonti@du.edu
Kimberly is a second-year School Psychology Ed.S student! She graduated from the University of South Carolina where she recieved a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. After graduation she spent two years working as an ABA therapist for childern with Autism. Outside of school Kimberly enjoys seeing live music, spend time with her dogs, and staying active! She look forward to working with everyone this year!
-
Program Committee
-
MA/PhD Representative
Kim Bowers | Kim.Bowers@du.edu
Kim is this year’s MA/PhD representative. Her responsibilities include (but are not limited to): promoting communication between current MA/PhD students and faculty, supporting students through the APPIC application process, and maintaining connections with our alumni. As a fourth-year PhD student, Kim looks forward to accruing and sharing as much knowledge as possible among the cohorts. In her free time, Kim loves to ride bikes, explore coffee shops, and eat yummy food.
-
Ed.S. Representative
Amelia Poshkus | amelia.poshkus@du.edu
Amelia Poshkus is a second year Ed.S. student in the School Psychology program here at DU. Her position on SASP is the Ed.S. Representative and her role is to serve as the primary liaison between SASP, the Executive Committee, and all Ed.S. cohorts including past and present. Amelias background is in human services and counseling, and she has worked in many different environments and communities working with at-risk youth. Amelia hope to utilize her experiences and knowledge to create a strong community for all Ed.S. School Psychology students at DU.
-
First Year CFSP Representative
Rebecca Eckblad | Rebecca.Eckblad@du.edu
Hello! My name is Rebecca Eckblad (she/her) and I will be serving as your SASP Special Events and Outreach Coordinator for the 2023-2024 school year! I am from Michigan, mainly, but have a deep love for Illinois as well! I graduated with a B.S. degree in Developmental Psychology from UIUC in Champaign in 2019. I have worked in housing services, inpatient treatment with children with eating disorders, and applied behavior analysis at all levels, but have found my place working in schools! Here at DU, I am in my second year of the Ed.S. School Psychology program and work as the Field Placement Assistant on Dr. McDiarmid’s team, as well as contribute to the RULER program as a research assistant. Outside of work and school, I love to be with my dogs, go on road trips, paddleboard, practice yoga, and hike! Excited to be a member of the SASP team!
-
Second Year ECSE Representative
Leslie Espinoza | Leslie.Espinoza@du.edu
My name is Leslie Espinoza. I am a second-year graduate student in the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Special Education program. Before DU, I earned my Bachelor of science degree in child and adolescent development from California State University, Fullerton. Along my academic and work journey, I've developed such a passion for the special needs community. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, writing, exercising, and exploring new places
-
Second Year Conference Representative
Krista Zenk (she/her/hers) | Krista.Zenk@du.edu
I am a second-year EdS student from Le Mars, Iowa. I graduated from Morningside University in 2021 with my bachelor's in developmental psychology where I also played on the women's volleyball team. I enjoy running, reading, and hiking in my free time!
-
First Year Conference Representative
Charlsey Coyle | Charlsey.Coyle@du.edu
Charlsey Coyle is serving her second year on the SASP Board. Last year, she served as the first-year conference representative and will be stepping into her new position as the Conference Chair. Charlsey is a second year Ed.S School Psychology graduate student and is excited for the opportunity to be the liaison between our program and our national (NASP and APA) and local (CSSP) organizations. She was born and raised in New City, New York and moved to Colorado a year ago when starting the graduate program here at the University of Denver. She received her undergraduate degree in 2019 from the University at Buffalo where she studied Psychology and Dance in Buffalo, NY. After Charlsey recieved her degree in 2019, she worked as a teaching assistant and then teacher for The Bronx School of Arts and Sciences Charter School. This is where she quickly realized my passion and the importance of school psychology and ultimately led her here. In her spare time Charlsey presues her other passion of dance by working as a dance & fitness instructor at local studios in the area.
-
Community Committee
-
Mental Health Coordinator
Heather Lococo | Heather.Lococo@du.edu
Heather Lococo will be serving as your SASP Mental Health Coordinator for the 2023-2024 school year. She is a second-year School Psychology Ed.S student from Chicago, Illinois. Heather holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, as well as a Master's in Special Education and Teaching English as a Second Language. She has experience teaching elementary school for 8 years. Outside of school Heather enjoys staying active, spending time with her dog and loved ones, reading, and checking out new places. Heather is excited to work with everyone this year! -
Special Events and Outreach Coordinator
Rebecca Eckblad | Rebecca.Eckblad@du.edu
Rebecca Eckblad (she/her) will be serving as your SASP Special Events and Outreach Coordinator for the 2023-2024 school year! Rebecca is from Michigan, mainly, but has a deep love for Illinois as well! She graduated with a B.S. degree in Developmental Psychology from UIUC in Champaign in 2019. Rebecca has worked in housing services, inpatient treatment with children with eating disorders, and applied behavior analysis at all levels, but found her place working in schools! Rebecca is in her second year of the Ed.S. School Psychology program and works as the Field Placement Assistant on Dr. McDiarmid’s team, as well as being a contributer to the RULER program as a research assistant. Outside of work and school, Rebecca loves to be with my dogs, go on road trips, paddleboard, practice yoga, and hike! Rebecca is excited to be a member of the SASP team!
-
Equity ChairAmanda Ozanich (she/her), MSEd Equity Chair SASPThe Equity Chair's responsibilities are to advocate for a fair and just learning environment within MCE, SP and the community. She am a 2nd year Ph.D student with a passion for early intervention, neuropsychology, and prevention services.
-
First Year Equity Representative
Amanda Ozanich (she/her) | Amanda.Ozanich@du.edu
I am from Pittsburgh, PA, and am a first-year, Ed.S student. I live with my boyfriend and my sweet mini Goldendoodle, Hazel. On the weekends, we like going on hikes, going into the mountains, and watching sports or a great murder mystery docuseries.
-
Chief Newsletter Editor
Mark Thomas (he/him/his) | Mark.Thomas394@du.edu
I am a fourth-year Doctoral student in the program. Within the program, my specific research interests are around trauma, internalizing disorders, and neurodevelopment disorders. Specifically, I'm interested in looking at how to provide mental health services to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). I'm originally from San Diego, CA. Outside of the program, I enjoy snowboarding, going to the gym, sporting events and concerts, and hiking with my dog.