2017-2018 SPSA Board
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President: Tuanh Phan
Vice President: Catalina Macias Treasurer: Marta Wirga Secretary: Elizabeth Cathcart Co-Philanthropy Chair: Janelly Fragoso Co-Philanthropy Chair: Crystal Mackey Co-Social & Mentorship Chair: Victoria Quinto Co-Social & Mentorship Chair: Katy Parker |
First Year Representatives: Kaya Ishijima & Megan Hayes Webmaster & Publicity Chair: Tania Peña Faculty Adviser: Dr. Kristi Hagans |
PRESIDENT: TUANH PHAN
Hi everyone! My name is Tu Anh Phan and I look forward to serving you all as SPSA
President. I graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Psychobiology and a minor in
Applied Developmental Psychology in 2013. After I worked as a preschool teacher,
did some ABA work and worked as a one-on- one instructional aide for an
elementary school. I am currently on the MTSS grant and work as a Residential
Coordinator for Housing and Residential Life, here on CSULB’s campus.
Random Fact: I have five brothers and two sisters.
Life Goal: To volunteer or work at a panda sanctuary and hopefully be able to cuddle
with baby pandas.
Hi everyone! My name is Tu Anh Phan and I look forward to serving you all as SPSA
President. I graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Psychobiology and a minor in
Applied Developmental Psychology in 2013. After I worked as a preschool teacher,
did some ABA work and worked as a one-on- one instructional aide for an
elementary school. I am currently on the MTSS grant and work as a Residential
Coordinator for Housing and Residential Life, here on CSULB’s campus.
Random Fact: I have five brothers and two sisters.
Life Goal: To volunteer or work at a panda sanctuary and hopefully be able to cuddle
with baby pandas.
VICE PRESIDENT: CATALINA MACIAS
Hi! My name is Catalina Macias and I was born and raised in San Diego. I received my Bachelors in Arts degree from UC Riverside and continued residing in Riverside until Spring semester of my first year in the school psychology program. I have worked with students in various settings, such as an elementary and middle school, a level 8 group home, a transitional living program, as well as their home environment. My experience working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, homeless young adults, and victims of human trafficking has guided me to the field of school psychology. I currently work for Housing and Residential Life on campus as a Residential Coordinator and I am looking forward to beginning my second year in the school psychology program.
Random Fact: I have a happy face birthmark
Life Goal: I would love to resume working with victims of human trafficking as they represent a population of individuals in great need of resources and support.
Hi! My name is Catalina Macias and I was born and raised in San Diego. I received my Bachelors in Arts degree from UC Riverside and continued residing in Riverside until Spring semester of my first year in the school psychology program. I have worked with students in various settings, such as an elementary and middle school, a level 8 group home, a transitional living program, as well as their home environment. My experience working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, homeless young adults, and victims of human trafficking has guided me to the field of school psychology. I currently work for Housing and Residential Life on campus as a Residential Coordinator and I am looking forward to beginning my second year in the school psychology program.
Random Fact: I have a happy face birthmark
Life Goal: I would love to resume working with victims of human trafficking as they represent a population of individuals in great need of resources and support.
TREASURER: MARTA WIRGA
Hi! My name is Marta Wirga, and I’m excited to be SPSA treasurer this year! I graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in psychology in 2013 where I also worked as a preschool teacher. After that, I worked in child autism and down syndrome research. I am currently part of the MTSS training grant and am completing my practicum at Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District.
Random Fact: Polish is the first language I learned.
Life Goal: To own a corgi.
Hi! My name is Marta Wirga, and I’m excited to be SPSA treasurer this year! I graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in psychology in 2013 where I also worked as a preschool teacher. After that, I worked in child autism and down syndrome research. I am currently part of the MTSS training grant and am completing my practicum at Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District.
Random Fact: Polish is the first language I learned.
Life Goal: To own a corgi.
SECRETARY: ELIZABETH CATHCART
Hi everyone! My name is Elizabeth and I'm very excited to start my second year here at the California State University, Long Beach! I completed my undergrad at the University of California, Irvine in 2014 and I continue to conduct research at UCI in their Child Development Lab. After working with and learning about sensitive populations of youth, particularly children that have experienced maltreatment or entered the Juvenile Justice System, I decided I wanted to start a career where I could help children at the individual level. My goal is to apply the knowledge and experience gained from research, along with the evidence-based practices learned in the CSULB School Psychology program, to help sensitive populations of youth in schools.
Random Fact:
I love my lab! I have a Fur Baby named Belle and my favorite thing to do is hang out with my Labrador.
Hi everyone! My name is Elizabeth and I'm very excited to start my second year here at the California State University, Long Beach! I completed my undergrad at the University of California, Irvine in 2014 and I continue to conduct research at UCI in their Child Development Lab. After working with and learning about sensitive populations of youth, particularly children that have experienced maltreatment or entered the Juvenile Justice System, I decided I wanted to start a career where I could help children at the individual level. My goal is to apply the knowledge and experience gained from research, along with the evidence-based practices learned in the CSULB School Psychology program, to help sensitive populations of youth in schools.
Random Fact:
I love my lab! I have a Fur Baby named Belle and my favorite thing to do is hang out with my Labrador.
WEBMASTER & PUBLICITY CHAIR: TANIA PEÑA
Hi! My name is Tania Peña and I am currently a second year in the CSULB School Psychology program. I am Salvadoran-American from Mid-City Los Angeles. I attended UC Santa Barbara where I received my two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology. I have always worked with children in school and home settings from things like Behavior Therapy, to substituting in K-12 charter schools, to most recently being a Summer Art teacher. My passion has always been to help others, especially youth. I am excited to start off my second year of the program and begin my practicum at Downey Unified School district:
Random fact:
I once jumped 18 feet into an underground river in Cancun that has an unknown depth.
Life goal:
To make a positive impact on the students I work with and travel across Europe.
Hi! My name is Tania Peña and I am currently a second year in the CSULB School Psychology program. I am Salvadoran-American from Mid-City Los Angeles. I attended UC Santa Barbara where I received my two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology. I have always worked with children in school and home settings from things like Behavior Therapy, to substituting in K-12 charter schools, to most recently being a Summer Art teacher. My passion has always been to help others, especially youth. I am excited to start off my second year of the program and begin my practicum at Downey Unified School district:
Random fact:
I once jumped 18 feet into an underground river in Cancun that has an unknown depth.
Life goal:
To make a positive impact on the students I work with and travel across Europe.
CO-PHILANTHROPY CHAIR: JANELLY FRAGOSO
Hello! My name is Janelly Fragoso. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I received my Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies with a multiple subject teaching credential at California State University, Long Beach. After graduating, I went on to teach 2nd grade for three years. I am now excited to start my second year of the School Psychology program there as well. I have experience working with children in multiple settings such as elementary, middle school and high school and felt that my experience would make me a great candidate for the program and profession. This year I will have the privilege serving my practicum hours in Downey Unified School District.
Random Fact:
I enjoy hiking and backpacking.
Life Goal:
To live a happy and healthy lifestyle and help others live one too.
Hello! My name is Janelly Fragoso. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I received my Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies with a multiple subject teaching credential at California State University, Long Beach. After graduating, I went on to teach 2nd grade for three years. I am now excited to start my second year of the School Psychology program there as well. I have experience working with children in multiple settings such as elementary, middle school and high school and felt that my experience would make me a great candidate for the program and profession. This year I will have the privilege serving my practicum hours in Downey Unified School District.
Random Fact:
I enjoy hiking and backpacking.
Life Goal:
To live a happy and healthy lifestyle and help others live one too.
CO-PHILANTHROPY CHAIR: CRYSTAL MACKEY
Hi! I’m Crystal and I am excited to serve as the co-philanthropy chair for this year SPSA. I received my
B.A. in psychology at the University of Texas- San Antonio but I am shockingly, not from Texas. While in
Texas, I became a Teacher Assistant for a tutoring center and discovered my passion to help children in
education. I am currently serving as an AmeriCorps Member which has partnered with Equal Hearts to
serve meals to kids in low-income apartment complexes. Community service has always reinforced the
betterment of my being and I look forward to continuing this mission with the School Psychology
Program.
Random Fact:
I am a vinyl record connoisseur and have collected over 100 records, so far.
Life Goal:
Become a homeowner and travel the world.
Hi! I’m Crystal and I am excited to serve as the co-philanthropy chair for this year SPSA. I received my
B.A. in psychology at the University of Texas- San Antonio but I am shockingly, not from Texas. While in
Texas, I became a Teacher Assistant for a tutoring center and discovered my passion to help children in
education. I am currently serving as an AmeriCorps Member which has partnered with Equal Hearts to
serve meals to kids in low-income apartment complexes. Community service has always reinforced the
betterment of my being and I look forward to continuing this mission with the School Psychology
Program.
Random Fact:
I am a vinyl record connoisseur and have collected over 100 records, so far.
Life Goal:
Become a homeowner and travel the world.
CO-SOCIAL AND MENTORSHIP CHAIR: VICTORIA QUINTO
Everyone calls me Vicky, and everyone asks about my last name when they discover that I am a second-generation Chinese American. Long-story short, my grandfather emigrated from Hong Kong to Belize to start his own business. No one in Belize could pronounce our Chinese last name, so he translated it into Spanish. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA and graduated with a Psychology degree from UC Berkeley. I was a research assistant at the UC Berkeley Language and Cognitive Development Lab working on a study on moral development before transitioning into ABA services in Northern California. I am currently a second year student in the Ed.S School Psychology program and am completing my practicum at Ocean View School District in Huntington Beach.
Random Fact:
I have traveled to (at least) 23 different countries.
Life Goals:
Afford a house in the San Francisco Bay Area
Help rescue victims of sex trafficking
Everyone calls me Vicky, and everyone asks about my last name when they discover that I am a second-generation Chinese American. Long-story short, my grandfather emigrated from Hong Kong to Belize to start his own business. No one in Belize could pronounce our Chinese last name, so he translated it into Spanish. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA and graduated with a Psychology degree from UC Berkeley. I was a research assistant at the UC Berkeley Language and Cognitive Development Lab working on a study on moral development before transitioning into ABA services in Northern California. I am currently a second year student in the Ed.S School Psychology program and am completing my practicum at Ocean View School District in Huntington Beach.
Random Fact:
I have traveled to (at least) 23 different countries.
Life Goals:
Afford a house in the San Francisco Bay Area
Help rescue victims of sex trafficking
CO-SOCIAL AND MENTORSHIP CHAIR: KATY PARKER
Hi! My name is Katy. I am a CSULB grad and former English teacher who has returned to campus to pursue a career as a school psychologist. I am passionate about giving students what they need in order to find fulfillment and confidence at school. I'm a cat person who doesn't own a cat, an amateur runner, and a born Hufflepuff.
Random Fact:
I was a coxswain on the women's rowing team in college.
Life Goal:
Learn how to backpack in the woods! (In progress
Hi! My name is Katy. I am a CSULB grad and former English teacher who has returned to campus to pursue a career as a school psychologist. I am passionate about giving students what they need in order to find fulfillment and confidence at school. I'm a cat person who doesn't own a cat, an amateur runner, and a born Hufflepuff.
Random Fact:
I was a coxswain on the women's rowing team in college.
Life Goal:
Learn how to backpack in the woods! (In progress
FIRST YEAR REPRESENTATIVE: KAYA ISHIJIMA
Hi! My name is Kaya Ishijima and I am a first year student in the School Psychology program. I grew up in San Jose, California and graduated from UC San Diego with a B.S. in Psychology. While there, I worked as a research assistant for the UC Links Preschool Project, which studied early childhood development, particularly focusing on dual language learners. I have always loved working with children and I strive to become an effective advocate for underrepresented students. I am part of the MTSS grant and am currently working as an Assessment Intern for the Stephen Benson Learning Disability Program.
Random Fact: I was on a competitive ballroom dance team at UCSD.
Life Goal: Travel the world and learn another language!
Hi! My name is Kaya Ishijima and I am a first year student in the School Psychology program. I grew up in San Jose, California and graduated from UC San Diego with a B.S. in Psychology. While there, I worked as a research assistant for the UC Links Preschool Project, which studied early childhood development, particularly focusing on dual language learners. I have always loved working with children and I strive to become an effective advocate for underrepresented students. I am part of the MTSS grant and am currently working as an Assessment Intern for the Stephen Benson Learning Disability Program.
Random Fact: I was on a competitive ballroom dance team at UCSD.
Life Goal: Travel the world and learn another language!
FIRST YEAR REPRESENTATIVE: MEGAN HAYES
Hi my name is Megan Hayes and I just started the school psychology program here at CSULB. I was born and raised in San Diego and from there moved to Northern California for my undergraduate education. I just recently graduated this past spring from UC Davis with my bachelors in Psychology and Communication and with a minor in Human Development. As someone who has loved working with kids for a majority of her life, I look forward to continuing working with this population and being able to make a difference in their lives.
Random fact: I write and use utensils with my left hand but play sports with my right hand and I can't switch between the two.
Life goal: to live a long, happy, and healthy life and to make a lasting impact on the children I end up working with.
Hi my name is Megan Hayes and I just started the school psychology program here at CSULB. I was born and raised in San Diego and from there moved to Northern California for my undergraduate education. I just recently graduated this past spring from UC Davis with my bachelors in Psychology and Communication and with a minor in Human Development. As someone who has loved working with kids for a majority of her life, I look forward to continuing working with this population and being able to make a difference in their lives.
Random fact: I write and use utensils with my left hand but play sports with my right hand and I can't switch between the two.
Life goal: to live a long, happy, and healthy life and to make a lasting impact on the children I end up working with.
FACULTY ADVISER: DR. KRISTI HAGANS
Dr. Kristi Hagans is associate professor and director of the School Psychology program at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Before her appointment at CSULB, Dr. Hagans worked as a school psychologist in public schools at the elementary and middle school levels for five years in both Oregon and California. Her research and practice interests include the use of general outcome measures to inform instruction to increase academic outcomes for preschool, elementary, and middle school students in reading and math. Dr. Hagans is the co-principal investigator of a U. S. Department of Education grant to train school psychologists as instructional consultants in a response-to-intervention model, and serves as an external evaluator on several federal- and state-funded grants. She currently teaches courses on advanced assessment for intervention, behavioral assessment and intervention, supervision of practica students and interns, and serves on several student thesis committees as chair or reader. Dr. Hagans also co-teaches the introduction to school psychology course. She lives in Long Beach with her partner, two children, and two dogs.
Dr. Kristi Hagans is associate professor and director of the School Psychology program at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Before her appointment at CSULB, Dr. Hagans worked as a school psychologist in public schools at the elementary and middle school levels for five years in both Oregon and California. Her research and practice interests include the use of general outcome measures to inform instruction to increase academic outcomes for preschool, elementary, and middle school students in reading and math. Dr. Hagans is the co-principal investigator of a U. S. Department of Education grant to train school psychologists as instructional consultants in a response-to-intervention model, and serves as an external evaluator on several federal- and state-funded grants. She currently teaches courses on advanced assessment for intervention, behavioral assessment and intervention, supervision of practica students and interns, and serves on several student thesis committees as chair or reader. Dr. Hagans also co-teaches the introduction to school psychology course. She lives in Long Beach with her partner, two children, and two dogs.