"Who you are is who you are connected to."

OVERVIEW & HISTORY

The Student Circle of The Association of Black Psychologists is an organization of like-minded Black scholars within The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) is a professional organization dedicated to enhancing the psychological well-being of individuals of African descent. The Student Circle (originally The Student Division) was founded in 1993 in response to the need for student members within ABPsi to have a body to address their needs and to serve as a collective voice for the next generation of Black psychologists.

We, the members of The Student Circle are students of mental health committed to both the liberation of the Black mind and to the development of optimal psychological functioning among people of African descent. We recognize the need for unity among Black psychologists and to prepare ourselves for future leadership roles within The Association. We are aligned in principle and purpose to the larger organization of ABPsi.

In the spirit of those who have come before us we utilize the principles of commitment, cooperativeness, creativity, and self-determination to develop a better understanding of the current deleterious conditions facing Black people and to help erase the negative emotional impact of the continual oppression of our community.

It is our aim to promote communication among Black psychology students and, in our capacity as students, to aid in the struggle to improve the emotional well-being of people of African descent wherever possible.

GOALS

The goals of The Student Circle are:

to organize student input into The Association

to develop programs which benefit students

to aid students in the process of entering and succeeding in graduate school; and

to promote psychology as a major and as a profession among both graduate and undergraduate students.

ORGANIZATION

There are over 300 student members at many different schools and institutions. There are annual meetings of The Student Circle at each ABPsi National Convention which occur in early August. This general meeting is organized and facilitated by the Central Committee of The Student Circle. There are ten officers of the Central Committee made of students and one professional advisor. The positions are as follows:

Chairperson

Chairperson-Elect

Immediate Past Chairperson

Secretary/Historian

Undergraduate Secretary

Eastern Region Representative

Midwestern Region Representative

Southern Region Representative

Western Region Representative

Professional Advisor

Student Circle members are both graduate and undergraduate level students in psychology or a closely related discipline. By paying membership to join ABPsi, students are automatically listed as members of the Student Circle. There are no additional dues or fees for membership in The Student Circle.

Membership in ABPsi is open to all students who are interested in promoting the goals and objectives of the organization and meet the criteria defined by the Board of Directors as set forth in the organizational By-Laws. Membership benefits include:

Mentoring by Professional Members

Free Publications:

- Journal of Black Psychology

- Psych Discourse - a monthly newsjournal

Reduced Rates for Annual Convention Registration

Voting Privileges

National and International Networking Opportunities

Referral/Consultant Opportunities

Local/State/Regional/National Activity Involvement

Publication Opportunities

ABPsi Students Membership dues are:

Undergraduate Student $30.00

Graduate Student $50.00

Membership fees are paid to the national office of ABPsi. New student members are required to be sponsored by a Professional member. The membership year runs from August 1 through July 31.

Also available from ABPsi : A Resource Manual for Black Psychology Students - $5.00

Be of service to your community and be among fellow student scholars interested in theory, research, and practice for the mental upliftment of Black people.....Join The Student Circle of ABPsi today!