William & Mary School Psychology students at Advocacy Day

April 10, 2026 - 20:39

Graduate students from William & Mary’s School Psychology program recently joined forces with professional advocates at the state capitol for a pivotal Advocacy Day. The event, organized by the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists (VASP), focused on direct engagement with state legislators to promote policies that strengthen mental health support in schools.

The students met with lawmakers and their staff to discuss critical issues facing the profession, including the need to reduce excessive caseloads and to secure better funding for mental health services. They emphasized how these factors directly impact the well-being and academic success of K-12 students across the Commonwealth. By sharing their on-the-ground training experiences and data-driven perspectives, the future psychologists made a compelling case for legislative action.

This annual initiative serves as both a crucial lobbying effort and an invaluable professional development experience for the trainees. It provides them with firsthand insight into the policymaking process and underscores the vital role advocacy plays in shaping effective educational and psychological services. Their participation highlights a growing commitment within the field to ensure that school psychologists have the resources necessary to meet the escalating mental health needs of students, thereby fostering healthier school environments for all.