Leigh Alison Bryant, sport and exercise psychology graduate student, was recently elected as the student representative for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
The AASP, founded in 1986, is an organization that promotes the ethical practice and development of science in the field of sports psychology. Bryant assumed the position at the organization’s recent annual conference in New Orleans.
Bryant’s primary responsibilities include promoting AASP at the student level. “This opportunity has allowed me to serve in a more direct, authoritative role after contributing to various student initiatives and committees,” explains Bryant.
The student representative position has opened numerous doors for her, allowing her to communicate with professionals and other AASP student members. Bryant’s new networking opportunities include practitioners who work with athletes and the Army and psychologists who are registered under the U.S. Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry.
According to Bryant, being at WVU has helped her prepare for this position. She sought advice from several SEP faculty members, including Dr. Clement and Dr. Watson, before accepting the position. The faculty helped her estimate how much time and energy her new role would require and what she could possibly gain from the experience.
Based on the faculty mentorship and guidance she felt she was making the right decision on accepting the assignment. Bryant knew when she applied WVU that the SEP program and University would support conference attendance and professional development.
Bryant is grateful for the chance to attend the conference with other SEP graduate students and faculty.
“This opportunity will challenge me to learn more about myself as a leader, colleague and member of the organization. I hope to provide clarity to my peers about the profession’s marketability and training through the efforts of the executive board,” she adds.