2023-2024 Board Members

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[From Left to Right] Nicole Torres, Diana Gastelum, Jessenia Reyes, Karisa Odrunia, J Webster
Vice President | J Webster
Hi all! My name is J Webster and I am a third-year doctoral student and will be serving as your 2023-2024 SASP Vice President. I was born and raised in sunny Southern California (Los Angeles area) but have been lucky enough to travel extensively and call many different places home. I moved to Las Vegas in 2018 where I would eventually graduate Summa Cum Laude from UNLV with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In addition to representing all the school psychers in our awesome program, I am a graduate assistant for the Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services Department, working on the Nevada School-Based Mental Health Services Grant and I currently sit on the Graduate Student Committee for NASP as the GSC Convention Coordinator. Despite loving the chance to melt with you here in the desert, I am a mountain boy at heart and travel with my family any chance I get. I enjoy playing board games, playing sports, dancing with my wife, talking anime with my 17-year-old daughter, and getting beat up by my three-year-old mini-me-monster. If you see me, do not hesitate to ask for help, spill some tea, or allow me to tell you why being a Dallas Cowboy fan is so bittersweet. I look forward to meeting each one of you and serving you in all ways possible. Welcome to the fam and Go Cowboys! ​
Secretary | Karisa Odrunia
Hello hello, and welcome to SASP! My name is Karisa Odrunia, and I am a third-year doctoral student in the school psychology program. For this year, I am your 2023-2024 Secretary!

​I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines before coming to the United States. During my undergraduate years, I was a research assistant in four different labs and was involved in several studies ranging from psychopathy in adults, facial processing in infants and children, schizophrenia, childhood trauma, and many more! I graduated from UNLV in the fall of 2019 with a bachelors in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience and Criminal Justice. Following my college years, I decided to take  a year off where I worked as a registered behavioral technician providing 1:1 behavioral therapy for children with autism. My involvement assisting and contributing to research along with my cultivated experiences working with children have led me to seek higher education and be a part of the school psychology field! Currently, I also serve as a graduate assistant support specialist for the UNLV Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach (CAEO) providing academic advising and encouragement to students from diverse backgrounds.

Outside of school, you can catch me collecting Funko! Pops, watching Marvel shows and movies, or engaging in Krav Maga! I'm very excited to know each and every one of you, and help out in any way I can. :)
2022-2023 Past President | Julia Maranville
Hello everyone, my name is Julia Maranville, and I was the 2022-2023 SASP President!
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A little about me: I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and moved to Las Vegas in 2016 to start my bachelors degree in Psychology and Human Services here at UNLV. Before completing my undergraduate degree in 2020, I spent my last semester of college studying abroad in Valencia, Spain (always happy to exchange travel stories!). Currently,  I am in my fourth year of the School Psychology PhD program. My life-long love and desire to work with children and help create equitable opportunities while addressing mental health needs lead me to the field of school psychology. 

Aside from my love for working with children, I am an avid gym-goer, enjoy getting out and meeting new people, and love to get outdoors in any way possible! I am greatly looking forward to our journey through the school psychology program together, and am excited to get to know each of you.
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Ed.S Student Representative | Ariadna Gutierrez
Hi! My name is Ariadna Gutierrez and I am this year’s Ed.S. Student Representative. In 2022, I graduated from Brigham Young University - Idaho where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Business Management. When reflecting on my undergraduate years, I came to the realization that my favorite part was listening to and understanding others. In search of a career that had room for my passion for learning and compassion, I stumbled upon school psychology and knew that it was where I wanted to make a positive lasting impact on others. Growing up in Las Vegas to immigrant parents, I witnessed them overcome their adversities with resilience and courage. As they stressed the importance of education, I became an advocate for education and the empowerment that it offers. As a future school psychologist, I look forward to creating a positive and effective learning environment where students can succeed. 
Outside of school, you can find me exercising, spending time with my husband, and cooking new recipes.

Connect with SASP!
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Email: sasp@unlv.edu
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President | Jessenia Reyes
Hi everyone!  My name is Jessenia Reyes, and I am your 2023-2024 SASP President. I am originally from Colorado, born and raised, and moved to Las Vegas about two years ago, I have to say the transition to the heat has been rough! I received my bachelor’s in Psychology from Colorado Mesa University. After graduation, I worked in an elementary school as a behavior specialist and director of our behavior program. I was later introduced to our school psychologist, who became my mentor and introduced me to the world of school psychology! Being a first-generation Mexican American, I felt the need to be an advocate at a very age. I found myself searching for a career that would allow me to help cultivate change. As future school psychologists, I feel we are in the best position to advocate for students and their families.
Welcome to SASP!! 😊
Treasurer | Nicole Torres
Hello School Psychers and future SASP members! My name is Nicole Torres and I will be your SASP treasurer this year! I am originally from New York, but moved to Las Vegas when I was twelve-years-old. My college journey has definitely been a long one. I initially majored in biology in hopes of eventually becoming a cardiologist. However, at some point I decided to switch to kinesiology because so I could pursue physical therapy. While on this path, I took Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Adulthood and Abnormal Psychology. These courses eventually helped me find my love for the field of psychology. After graduating with a degree in kinesiology and a two year hiatus, I came back to pursue psychology. During this time, I was able to reflect upon my own experiences growing up and in school. I soon realized that I wanted to do something where I could work towards making school a better place for all children. More specifically, I wanted a career that would allow me to support children, families, and help guide other educational personnel toward creating a safe, positive, and inclusive school environment. After much searching, I came across our school psychology program and knew it would help me in achieving this goal. Now, I am a third-year Ed.S student and am beyond happy to have found my way to the field. When I am not at school or studying, you can find me drawing, blasting music, running after my puppy, or attempting to figure out my Rubik’s cube. I am very excited to meet and work with all of you and continue making your experience in SASP a great one both as a mentor and a friend! 
Communications and Social Media Director | Diana Gastelum
Hello everyone! My name is Diana Gastelum and I am so excited to be able to be your SASP Communications and Social Media Director this year! I have grown up most of my life in Las Vegas and am happy to continue to call this city home. I graduated from UNLV in 2020 with my bachelors in Psychology and minored in Couples and Family Therapy. During my undergraduate years, I explored a number of careers related to children and education such as working in daycares, as a preschool teacher, and within ABA as a registered behavior technician. Through my exploration of fields within psychology I came across the field of school psychology! I believe as future school psychologists we are in a unique position to advocate for and work with students and families within the capacity of education. We are able to use our skills to help bridge gaps for families  and students. Growing up in an immigrant Mexican household, I feel a personal commitment to continuously advocate for social justice issues for families in schools by continuously advocating for the diversity and inclusion of all students and families.

Outside of school, I love to travel, go to concerts, read books, run, and spend time with my  friends and family! I am so excited to be able to meet and work with you all!
Ph.D Student Representative |  Joaquin Alvarez-Bautista
My name is Joaquin Alvarez-Bautista and I am second-year doctoral student in the school psychology program. I grew up on the central coast in California among a family of educators in a primarily latinx population. After high school, I spent several years on the east coast getting my undergraduate degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and volunteering with students with disabilities before returning to the golden coast to get my master's degree in School Psychology at CSU Monterey Bay. I worked as a paraprofessional and a long-term SPED substitute throughout my masters and became even more passionate about making sure that minoritized students and their families receive equitable support and treatment within the school system. I decided to pursue a doctorate because I pretty much only know how to be a student. My research area is related to gender and sexual minority youths and school policy, but I am equally as passionate about school practices and policies that impact BIPOC and multilingual students. I also serve as the GA for UNLV PRACTICE's Psychological Assessment and Testing Clinic (PATC) where I manage the day-to-day administration and work behind the scenes to help the School Psychology program collaborate with both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Psychology programs. Outside of student life, I enjoy spending my time playing video games, doing puzzles, watching drag, and camping. ​
Faculty Advisor | Dr. Katherine Lee