Wright Institute Students Engage in CPA Leadership and Advocacy Day at State Capitol

Sixteen Wright Institute students participated in the California Psychological Association’s 25th Annual Leadership and Advocacy Day on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at the Capitol Building in Sacramento, CA. The Wright Institute contingent was coordinated by Institute Faculty member Anatasia Kim, PhD. Dr. Kim serves as a member of CPA’s Governmental Affairs Steering Committee, as well as Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee and President-Elect for the Alameda County Psychological Association. The students attended discussions about current issues in psychology, received lobbying training, and visited legislators in order to advocate on behalf of the psychology profession and the communities served. This year, CPA lobbied for AB 2015 (Chau-D-49th) Non-Discrimination of Health Care Provider. In addition, two important CPA services/programs were offered to legislators: Distressed Constituents Guide and Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards.

Joining Dr. Kim at the event were Wright Institute students Sherri Taylor, Munn Saechao, Zoe Barnow, Holly Hoffman, Renata Way, Lyndsay Dell, Mary Goodarzi, Grace Kiriakos, Rose-Evelyn Friedheim, Alex Lapinski, Meiyang Liu, Bobby Nguyen, Ali Starczak, Jonnie Williams, Rebecca Wilson, and Emmanuel Zammora. More than 150 psychologists and graduate students participated in this annual event. The Wright Institute had the largest representation of students from any school in California.