Major honor: School psychology graduate student awarded minority scholarship

Pa Dao Xiong one of only seven nationwide recognized for her talent, effort

Jan. 30, 2024 - A University of Wisconsin-River Falls student studying school psychology has been named one of just seven graduate students nationwide to receive the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) ERT Minority Scholarship Award for 2024. 

Pa Dao Xiong will be recognized for the honor at the NASP Convention in New Orleans Feb. 14-17. 

Xiong, who lives in St. Paul, Minn., is currently completing her practicum field experiences and will seek an internship for the fall semester. In addition to excelling in the school psychology program, which has courses during evenings, Xiong works full time at a nonprofit organization that assists in refugee humanitarian aid and disaster relief globally. 

Xiong’s dedication to her school psychology program while working full time is admirable, said Scott Woitaszewski, professor and director of the UWRF School Psychology Program who is also chair of the Counseling and School Psychology Department.

“Her ability to simultaneously juggle graduate school and employment – both quite successfully – reflects her work ethic and dedication to pursuing her dream of a career in school psychology," Woitaszewski said of Xiong. 

In addition, Woitaszewski said, Xiong has a strong desire to assist those who most need help. 

"Beyond Pa Dao’s high level of work ethic, commitment and leadership skills, I view her perseverance and willingness to assertively address issues of social justice as distinguished personal strengths," he said. 

Xiong joins two former UWRF school psychology graduate students – Brooke Fails Soupenne and Pa Lee – who have won the minority scholarship since 2009. Those accomplishments make UWRF’s school psychology program among the most decorated nationwide regarding the NASP scholarship. 

The NASP-ERT Minority Scholarship Program was established in 1995 to support graduate training of minority students pursuing careers in school psychology. The program seeks to lower financial barriers to training and to highlight the accomplishments of promising future professionals. It advances NASP's commitment to diversity in school psychology by supporting culturally diverse graduate students who will eventually provide school-based services to diverse student populations.

Recipients of the scholarship receive $5,000 that goes toward paying for graduate school. That amount is significant, Woitaszewski said, for students such as Xiong who are balancing school, work and other stressors. Scholarship winners also can talk with previous award winners who, like them, come from marginalized backgrounds.

“Our schools need more educators, including school psychologists, from backgrounds similar to the students they serve,” Woitaszewski said. “We know that makes schools stronger, more welcoming, and simply better places to learn for all students. This scholarship moves the needle on that goal.”