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ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ Celebrates National School Psychology Week

From Nov. 3–7, 2025

The 2025 theme for National School Psychology Week is "Finding Your Path." (Photo by Darren Heslop)

From Nov. 3–7, 2025, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ will join schools across the United States in celebrating National School Psychology Week (NSPW) under the theme “Finding Your Path.” The University will have information tables set up in Bell Hall and Buller Hall throughout the week, and students are invited to visit the School of Graduate Psychology & Counseling to learn more about its programs. Renette Portecop-Prentice, assistant professor and School Psychology Program coordinator at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½, shares, “This week, we celebrate the invaluable work of school psychologists who change the world—one child at a time.”

ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ is home to the only National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)-approved school psychology program among Adventist institutions. Recently, it was one of two universities awarded grants from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to expand access to school psychology training. “With these new funds, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ stands poised to broaden its impact on students, teachers and communities both locally and globally,” affirms Portecop-Prentice.

NSPW is an annual opportunity to recognize the work of school psychologists in helping children and youth thrive. Through partnerships with families, teachers and school administrators, school psychologists create supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between the home, school and community. They apply expertise in mental health, learning and behavior to help children and youth succeed socially, behaviorally, emotionally and academically.

Shawna Rader Kelly, president of NASP, notes, “NSPW is a wonderful opportunity to recognize school psychologists for the transformative impact they have on school communities. School psychologists are indispensable leaders in their communities who, as suggested by this year’s theme, ensure that all children and youth find their unique path to success in school and throughout life.”

The 2025 theme, “Finding Your Path,” recognizes the ways that school psychologists help communities along paths to learning, growth and overall well-being. Through deep expertise and training in consultation, collaboration and evidence-based practices, school psychologists empower others to set their destination and find a route that fits their needs.

“Many graduates of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½’ school psychology program are already making a difference in the lives of children and families in Berrien County as well as in neighboring regions,” says Portecop-Prentice. “They contribute in diverse roles, including supervision of diagnostic services, accountability and program improvement, management of early on services that benefit children from 0 to 3 months, and in traditional school psychology roles.”

In fall 2026, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ will begin offering its school psychology program online. For additional information, visit the School of Graduate Psychology & Counseling website.