From the president
As a second year Psy.D. student at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP), Colin Rubright has spent that time volunteering with two of the school’s community partners: Oakley Square, and Oak Park OWL. During the first year of his schooling, Colin tutored two 4th and 5th grade non-readers alongside a Applied Behavioral Analysis pre-doctoral fellow. The two made a weekly trip to the low-income housing complex where the students resided to provide no-cost supplemental reading tutoring. Colin continued his youth mentorship by volunteering with Oak Park Our Whole Lives (OWL) to facilitate sexuality education courses for k-9th learners. Colin’s experience with these communities has helped inform his trajectory as a burgeoning professional in the field of psychology.
Personal Statement
In my first career I was an industrial engineer, analyzing mechanical systems for inefficiencies to be corrected. However, I switched gears and am now attending a doctoral program to become a clinical psychologist. My hope is to utilize my skills old and new to become an agent of change within a different type of inefficient system. The public health system prevents people of all walks of life from receiving essential education and mental health services. In my time in Chicago, I have had the opportunity to work with several organizations that have exposed me to the systemic challenges that face marginalized communities. As I further my education, I will continue my work with organizations that provide: 1) Comprehensive sex education, including discussions of identity, relationships, and affordable healthcare resources and 2) Mental health services at a sliding scale rate in areas where there is limited access. On campus, I have founded two student-run organizations, The Clinical PsyD Student Representatives and the PRIDE Queer Collective, advocating for the priorities of those whom they serve. I believe that advocacy within established organizations and empowerment of grassroots community efforts are key to the systemic change I hope to see.