Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Ambassadors of
Recruitment Initiative
NASP Background Information and Guide for Presenters
Thank you for volunteering to participate in NASP’s CLD Ambassadors of Recruitment
Initiative. We appreciate the positive energy and commitment you bring to this important
work. Below, you will find basic background information about NASP and suggestions
for getting started with your recruitment presentations.
Background:
NASP is the largest school psychology organization in the world and represents more
than 26,000 school psychologists who are dedicated to increasing positive outcomes for
children and adolescents. NASP promotes children’s healthy learning and development
through programs and services that strengthen academic achievement, positive behavior,
social-emotional learning, and mental wellness of all students, especially those who
struggle with barriers to learning. School psychologists provide a broad array of services
to general and special education students including: direct interventions such as
assessment of student academic progress, and the assessment of cognitive, behavioral,
and social-emotional needs , counseling, interventions (academic, behavioral, and crisis),
and social-emotional skills development; and indirect interventions such as consultation
with parents, teachers and school administrators. School psychologists have specialized
training in school systems, learning, child development, and mental health, as well as
expertise in research-based strategies, data collection and analysis, and outcomes
evaluation.
NASP Vision:
The National Association of School Psychologists is the premier source of knowledge,
professional development, and resources, empowering school psychologists to ensure that
all children and youth attain optimal learning and mental health.
NASP Mission:
NASP represents school psychology and supports school psychologists to enhance the
learning and mental heath of all children and youth.
For more information on NASP’s Strategic Plan, see:
http://www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/strategicplan.pdf
Guide for CLD Ambassadors:
Getting Started
 Explore the colleges and universities in your community. Look for schools that
have a high percentage (e.g., 15-20%) of their student body from CLD groups.
10.4.2010
1

Examples of the best locations are Historically Black Colleges and Universities
and schools in cities with a large Latino or multi-ethnic populations.

If there are no schools with a high percentage of CLD students in your area:
o Inform your recruitment location contact (e.g., faculty in Psychology or
Education Departments) that you need help arranging to speak with CLD
students at their school or department.
o Contact relevant student organizations on campus to arrange a
presentation. These organizations might include the Black Student Union,
the Multicultural Student Coalition, Latino student organizations, Native
American or American Indian organizations, Asian student organizations,
etc. A listing of student organizations should be available on the school’s
website or through the Office of Student Affairs or the Office of Campus
Life.
o Call the Career Center at the college to offer to present a school
psychology career presentation and to see if they can help you arrange it to
meet the goal of reaching students from CLD backgrounds.
Introducing yourself and scheduling presentations
The following script may be used as a guideline for you when speaking to department
faculty at prospective schools for recruitment presentations.
 Hello, my name is ________________ and I am representing the National
Association of School Psychologists. As part of our commitment to increasing
cultural diversity in the school psychology field we have an initiative to present
career information to undergraduate students from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds.
 I would like to schedule a school psychology career presentation in a psychology
or education class. Which professors might be interested in scheduling such a
presentation? Are there contacts in your Career Center that might help me set up a
presentation?
Preparing for your presentation
Familiarize yourself with the presentation and important background information by
reviewing the PowerPoint and NASP career materials listed below.


PowerPoint

School Psychology: A Career That Makes a Difference
Check notes pages on PowerPoint for additional information.
Brochures



What is a School Psychologist?
School Psychology: A Career That Makes a Difference
School Psychology: The Role of Native American School
Psychologist
Note: Limited hard copies are available of brochures. Contact Allison Bollinger,
abollinger@naspweb.org with requests.
10.4.2010
2


Position Statements
 Recruitment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse School
Psychologists
School Psychology Awareness Week Resources
Frequently Asked Questions from prospective students
Frequently asked questions and answers about the career may be found at
http://www.nasponline.org/about_sp/careerfaq.aspx.
Scholarships and fellowship opportunities
 NASP Minority Scholarship http://www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/minority.aspx
 Scholarships and Fellowships
http://www.nasponline.org/students/scholarship.aspx
After the completion of your presentation
After you have given your presentation and had the attendees fill out the evaluation,
please complete the evaluation summary form. Include your comments and thoughts on
the outcomes of your presentation and any suggestions for new materials or support from
NASP. Email your summary form to Allison Bollinger, abollinger@naspweb.org.
Thank you for volunteering to participate in this program. We sincerely appreciate you taking
the time out of your already busy schedules in order to promote diversity in the school psychology
profession.
10.4.2010
3