MPAGS is run by a group of officers who are newly elected each year. We are dedicated to helping student voices be heard. If you have any concerns, questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact us.
To be eligible to run for an elected position: a) you must be a member of MPAGS and b) you must be a current graduate student in good academic standing and have at least one year remaining before graduation (at least two years if running for the President-elect position). Brief descriptions of the MPAGS officer positions are listed below with the current officers and their backgrounds.
In addition to these board positions, there are also opportunities to be a school representative or committee chair. If you are interested in learning more about any position please contact Melinda Capaldi, MPAGS Chair.
Serves as chief officer of MPAGS and is a voting member of the MPA Board of Directors and the Executive Graduate Council. The Chair coordinates the efforts of the board members, as well as MPAGS members to determine the general direction of MPAGS activities.
Melinda Capaldi Melinda is in her 3rd year of the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program at Loyola University. Her clinical interests include sexual and military trauma and she is currently externing at the Bal-timore, VA. Her personal interests include cooking, reading, scrapbooking, and lounging on the couch when not busy! Melinda is looking forward to serving as the MPAGS Chair this year and is hoping to make it a beneficial one for all members!
Serves one year as Chair—Elect and the following year as the Chair. He/she shares in the duties of the Chair and assists in overseeing the affairs and activities of MPAGS. Acts as treasurer of MPAGS, preparing a budget for the new fiscal year, and assumes the presidency for the term following tenure as President elect.
Matthew FitzGerald Matthew is in his second year of the Doctor of Psychology program at Loyola University Maryland, and is excited to be a part of MPAGS. As a Maryland native, and a lifelong student, Matthew looks forward to any opportunity to advance the cause of graduate students in his home state. Professionally, he is interested in clinical practice and clinician self-care. Through his work with MPAGS, Matthew hopes to enrich the personal and professional lives of its members while learning and listening how to serve them better.
Is responsible for recruiting members and will work towards creating a diverse membership base. She/he is the liaison between the campus representatives and the MPAGS Executive Council.
Heather Major Heather Major graduated from McDaniel College in 2007 and is now in the third year of the Psy.D. program at Loyola University in Maryland. Her clinical interests include gender, sexuality, and couples issues. Her in-process dissertation focuses on adolescent sexual promiscuity. Heather looks forward to seeing everyone at all of the exciting MPAGS events planned for this year!
Kate Guilfoyle Kate is from Solomon’s Island, MD and graduated from UMBC in 2006. She is currently in her 3rd year of the clinical psychology Psy.D. program at Loyola University. Kate is currently an extern at Chase Brexton. Kate enjoys hanging out with friends, playing with her dog, and reading her Kindle! She is excited about being a part of MPAGS this year and plans to organize some fun events for members!
Is responsible for keeping and distributing minutes of all MPAGS meetings. She/he is also responsible for coordinating graduate student submissions to the MPA newsletter and maintaining MPAGS web page resources.
Christina Morley Christina is a third year Psy.D. student at Loyola University in Maryland. An extern in the College of Notre Dame counseling center, Christina gains additional experience working with undergradu-ate populations in her job as a Graduate Resident Coordinator for Loyola. Her research interests are in the areas of coping, self-injurious behavior and adolescent issues. She is excited about having the opportunity to be able to share information about graduate issues and events through the MPAGS newsletter. Outside of psychology, Christina is interested in cooking and doing any-thing that involves being outside.
Coordinates state and federal legislative advocacy efforts and are the liaisons between the MPA Legislative Committee and MPAGS.
Nicole Schechter, Nicole Schechter is a 2nd year doctoral student in clinical psychology at Loyola University. She spent this past summer directing a leadership training program at a sleep away summer camp for rising high school juniors and this coming fall, she will be externing at the Loyola Clinical Cen-ters doing therapy and assessment for adult clients. Eventually, Nicole would like to work with victims of trauma. Nicole will serve as the Assistant Advocacy Chair on the MPGAS board for the year 2009-2010.
Preston Greene, Preston Greene is a 4th year doctoral student in the Clinical/Behavioral Medicine track for the Human Ser-vices Psychology program at UMBC. His research and clinical interests include substance abuse (particularly alcohol) and understanding the personal process individuals go through as they change addic-tive behaviors. In his spare time, Preston enjoys running with Back On My Feet, and is currently training for two half marathons this fall, the Baltimore Running Festival and the Richmond Half Marathon.
Oversee all aspects of convention planning, advertising, and management. He/she may appoint a committee to assist him/her with these duties.
Saba Shahid, Saba Shahid is a second year student in Loyola’s Clinical psychology PsyD program. She is most interested in work-ing with children typically identified as at-risk, but is also interested in couples and family therapy. She has only been in Baltimore for one year, before which she was attending college in Williamsburg, Virginia. Saba has two younger sisters, the youngest of which is just beginning second grade. She speaks Urdu, enjoys watching Bolly-wood movies, and loves to spend her time trying new recipes and new restaurants. Saba will be serving as the Con-vention Co-Chair this year and is looking forward to a productive and enjoyable year with MPAGS!
Sylvia Hanna, Sylvia Hanna graduated from Virginia Tech in 2007 and is currently a third year in the Psy.D. program at Loyola University. Her clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and working with children and adolescents. Her dissertation focuses on the lack of insight into the disorder between an anorexic and bulimic spectrum population.
Sarah Brager, Sarah Brager is in her 3rd year of the doctoral program at Loyola College in Maryland and is an extern at Kennedy Krieger Child and Family Therapy Clinic. After graduation, she hopes to work with children and adolescents doing both assessment and therapy. In her free time, she enjoys going to farmer's markets, taking yoga classes and knit-ting!
Coordinates the MPAGS Diversity initiative.
TBD