School Psychology

Joshua Sussman

Joshua Sussman is a researcher at the Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research (BEAR) Center. His research examines the design, implementation, and effects of classroom and large-scale assessments; in particular those assessments that help teachers understand and support learning and development in early and middle childhood. He uses generalized latent variable modeling and hierarchical modeling in quantitative and mixed-methods studies.

Interests and Professional Affiliations

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Amanda McKerracher

Amanda McKerracher is a Health Service/Clinical Faculty member in the School Psychology program, as well as a member of the BPIC training committee. Her role involves clinical supervision of doctoral trainees, as well as teaching coursework in mental health and academic assessment and interventions, ethical decision making, and consultation skills. Prior to joining the faculty, Dr. McKerracher worked in various capacities in the field of education, including as a teacher, early childhood educator, school psychologist, and licensed psychologist. She is currently a Licensed Educational...

Mercedes Zapata

Mercedes Zapata is a Lecturer in the School Psychology Program. Dr. Zapata teaches coursework related to psychopathology and adolescent development, and she provides consultation for community mental health and school-based practicum experiences. Dr. Zapata is a Licensed Psychologist in California as well as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and credentialed School Psychologist. She has practiced as a school psychologist in San Francisco Unified School District and Alameda City Unified School District.

Prior to receiving her PhD in Education (School Psychology), Dr. Zapata...

Rose Cartwright

Rose Cartwright is a doctoral candidate in the School of Education’s School Psychology program, where she earned her Personal Pupil Services (PPS) credential with a specialization in School Psychology. She works under the advisement of Professor Elliot Turiel – as well as other faculty in the BSE and Psychology Department – to explore how students with nonvisible disabilities reason about non-discrimination legislation and everyday issues of equity, access, and inclusion in educational spaces. Rose has also served as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) and disabled students’ liaison in...

Nicole Faraci

Nicole is a third year PhD student in the School Psychology program within the School of Education. She graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta in 2019 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Educational Psychology.

She is currently focusing her research on youth political engagement and equitable civics education; she is passionate about the intersection of research, practice, and policy in order to foster meaningful and empowering participation of young people in civic life.

Specializations and Interests

Civic Engagement, Civics...

Edwin Carlos

Edwin Carlos (He/Him) is a 1st year PhD student in the School Psychology program at the School of Education. He is a 2nd generation Filipino American from Renton, Wash., and graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in psychology and a minor in education from Stanford University in 2020.

His research focuses on the role of ethnic/racial identity and ethnic studies on students' mental health and academic outcomes.

Specializations and Interests

Ethnic/Racial Identity; Mental Health; Ethnic Studies; Culturally Relevant Pedagogy;...

Viviane Chang

Viviane is currently a doctoral student in School Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley working under the supervision of Dr. Elliot Turiel. She is also a nationally certified school psychologist and a registered psychological assistant. Her decision to enter school psychology started off from a simple thought that she wanted to make schools a safe harbor for children where they feel loved and welcomed, are supported to learn the skills needed to make healthy choices for themselves, to better cope with life challenges, and to care for one another’s well­-being.

Viviane...

Julissa Navas

Julissa is a third year PhD student in the School Psychology program at UC Berkeley. She was born and raised in Southern California to two hard-working immigrant parents from Mexico and El Salvador. Julissa, a first generation college student, completed her undergraduate studies at UC Irvine and graduated with honors with a BA in Psychology and Education Sciences.

Her graduate research currently focuses on examining the relationship between teacher expectations, teacher practices, and students’ academic achievement. She is also interested in exploring how school and classroom...

GSE in US News top ten for School Psychology, Education Policy

March 29, 2022

The Graduate School of Education’s School Psychology Program is ranked #8 and Education Policy is ranked #9—both up a notch from last year—in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report rankings released today.

Sarah Manchanda

Sarah Manchanda is pursuing a PhD in School Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her lived experiences as a disabled woman of color shape her research interests, clinical work, and advocacy efforts in graduate school. Sarah is driven by a firm commitment to promote inclusive learning for all students. She believes that meaningful inclusion encompasses social and emotional wellbeing, and this is her primary area of focus. Her current research interests include (a) Peer victimization based on disability and race; (b) Promoting the capacity of teachers and peer bystanders...