Belonging as a BABAT Student Member

My first experience with BABAT was attending the annual conference in Worcester…newly minted and flying solo. Though I walked into that event by myself, I quickly realized I wasn’t alone. What stood out to me wasn’t just the quality of the presentations or the professionalism of the event—it was the unmistakable sense of community that surrounded me. When the opportunity arose to serve as BABAT’s 2024-2025 Student Representative, I saw it as more than just a role. It was a way for me to give back; to create for others the sense of belonging that had meant so much to me at the start of my own journey. 

Since stepping into this position, I’ve seen firsthand how committed BABAT is to supporting students. Whether it’s partnering with universities or re-imagining student support, the Student Relations Committee is constantly refreshing opportunities for student involvement. We’ve also helped promote equitable access by reducing financial barriers associated with the cost of our biggest event, the annual conference. Not only did we expand the number of BABAT DEI scholarships (up to 8 now!), we’ve worked with the Executive Committee to lower the registration cost for graduate students. Our latest initiative is to pack the new BABAT website with all kinds of student supports— practicum guidance, helpful citations, tips for navigating the jump to professional positions, and more. Be on the lookout!

We also understand that being a student comes with real challenges—balancing coursework, jobs, families, and the financial demands of professional development. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the field for decades, we invite you to help us build a future that reflects the best of who we are: connected, collaborative, and committed to making meaningful change. To support these causes, we ask that you please take a moment to fill out the attached form. Your feedback—your measures of social validity—will help guide our efforts as we continue to grow a more inclusive, responsive, and welcoming professional community!