Proactive Peer and Undergraduate Mentoring Program (PPUMP)

  • Objectives
  • PPUMP Goals for 2009-2010
  • PPUMP Contact Information
  • PPUMP Projects
  • PPUMP Database
  • PPUMP Flyer
  • Internship Database
  • History of PPUMP
 

Objectives

 

The objectives behind PPUMP are threefold:

  1. to create a list of graduate students who are competent and willing to serve as mentors for their peers and prospective students as they search for graduate programs that best fit their needs
  2. allow students to assist and collaborate with other sport and exercise psychology students interested in similar research topics and applied experiences
  3. inform undergraduates about AASP and applied sport and exercise psychology.

PPUMP Goals for 2009-2010

  • Goal I: Update PPUMP database
  • Goal II: Outreach to other students about sport & exercise psychology, AASP and PPUMP.
    • Each PPUMP contributor will deliver 2 presentations in undergraduate courses such as sport and exercise psychology, introduction to psychology, and counseling classes
    • Make PPUMP presence at graduate school fairs and/or job fairs
    • Update the PPUMP flyer
    • Create PPUMP protocol
  • Goal III Increase international mentors in the PPUMP database
    • Work with international AASP Regional Representatives to disseminate information about becoming a PPUMP mentor to international students
    • Work with student representatives from other organizations (e.g. ISSP)
  • Goal IV: Promote research and applied collaboration among AASP student members
    • Disseminate AASP newsletter
  

PPUMP Contact Information

Scott Pierce at piercesw@muohio.edu 

PPUMP Outreach Projects

Proactive Peer Undergraduate Mentoring Program

PPUMP, is currently in the process of making contacts to deliver presentations informing undergraduate students about AASP and applied sport psychology. This program will primarily be targeting students who have not had any exposure to applied sport psychology such as psychology undergraduate students and students at small colleges and community colleges. PPUMP mentors who participate in this project get the opportunity to represent the field of applied sport and exercise psychology and AASP as well as the opportunity to hone their public speaking and presentation skills. See below for a list of outreaches that have already been completed.
 
As of winter 2009, over 3700 undergraduate students at 8 colleges and universities (University of North Texas, Ivy Tech, Purdue University, Miami University of Ohio, Argosy University, Chicago, University of Utah and Oregon State University) have been presented with information regarding sport and exercise psychology, AASP, and PPUMP.

PPUMP Database

The PPUMP database was created in order to provide prospective sport and exercise psychology students with a list of current graduate students willing to serve as their mentors. The database allows interested students to search for mentors by location (state or school), research interests, and professional interests. Mentors can provide information to their mentees regarding graduate school, career possibilities, and share their own experiences as graduate students in the field. They may also serve as a connection between mentees and sport and exercise psychology professionals. View Database (Excel format)

 

PPUMP Flyer 

The PPUMP flyer is an informational document regarding PPUMP, AASP, and the field of sport and exercise psychology designed specifically for undergraduate students who are interested in learning more about graduate training and career possibilities in our field. The flyer has been distributed via e-mail to current AASP students, career service centers as various universities, and students who contact PPUMP mentors for information about sport and exercise psychology. Improving the flyer to best meet the needs of students is an ongoing project as knowledge and opportunities in sport and exercise psychology continue to expand. PPUMP is always on the lookout for creative-minded individuals willing to improve the look and content of the flyer.
View the Flyer (PDF)
 

Career Service Centers (2005-2006):

In 2006 several PPUMP mentors approached career counselors at their respective universities about including information about PPUMP and the field of sport and exercise psychology in their career library. This was accomplished at several universities, and e-mails containing the PPUMP flyer were sent from career service centers to undergraduate students matched on criteria such as major, career interest, and class.

As of summer 2007, the University of Utah, University of North Texas, and Purdue University have included information about AASP and PPUMP in their libraries and e-mails. 

Internship Database

The internship database is composed of APA Pre-doctoral Internships sites that were found on the APPIC website. These were the sites that came up when ONLY "Sports Psychology" was entered into the search list. A listing of these internships can be viewed here(PDF). Applicants are encouraged to explore these sites in order to find out the level of involvement in sport psyc (e.g., is there really a rotation or are you on your own to make a rotation). Please explore other sites at www.appic.org/directory/4_1_directory_online.asp.

History of PPUMP

The PPUMP initiative was started by former AASP student representative Rob Fazio during 2000-2001. Rob's goal was to close the development gap that less seasoned students felt when they became members of AASP. He conceptualized PPUMP as a network where more experienced graduate students could help one another as well as mentor students that were newer to the field. Current AASP professionals Karen Collins, Justine Reel, and Josh Avondoglio were instrumental in helping Rob to get PPUMP up and running during the early years. Since this time, other students have contributed to the development of PPUMP by creating an informational flyer, working to spread the word about AASP and PPUMP at their respective universities, and most recently conducting informational outreaches in undergraduate courses at colleges and universities across the country.