Interim Dean Vincent C. Alfonso Selected President of the Trainers of School Psychologists

With more than 30 years of professional experience as a psychologist, consultant, educator, and academic officer, Interim Dean Vincent C. Alfonso has been selected as President of the Trainers of School Psychologists (TSP) for the 2024-2025 academic year.

As President of TSP, Alfonso will work to address the shortage of school psychologists nationwide who provide critical support to children and families in New Jersey and beyond.

TSP directly supports the education and professional development of faculty who prepare and foster future school psychologists at higher education institutions across the U.S.

Alfonso will lead a board of 17 members to plan and execute TSP’s resources and offerings, including an annual conference, a research journal, and low-cost professional development opportunities for members.

About the Trainers of School Psychologists

Trainers of School Psychologists (TSP) is comprised of faculty around the United States who teach in school psychology programs at the certificate and doctorate levels. 

TSP is “committed to innovation and excellence in graduate training programs for specialist and doctoral school psychologists,” and their purpose is to “foster high-quality training in school psychology programs.” The organization will host its next annual conference at Seattle University in February 2025.

Alfonso’s experience as a psychologist in school districts and mental health centers in the New York metropolitan area included counseling, conducting psychoeducational evaluations, parent and teacher consultations, and clinical research. 

Before joining CEEL, Alfonso dedicated 19 years to academic leadership and administration at Fordham University in New York City. He served as program director for the School Psychology (Ph.D.) program and executive director of two assessment centers. Additionally, he contributed to the Graduate School of Education and the broader university community as a professor of school psychology, as well as six years as an associate dean and one year as the acting dean.

Alfonso holds a PhD and master’s in Clinical/School Psychology from Hofstra University, and is a former dean and professor at the School of Education at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He also served as Interim Dean at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University in Bronx, New York, where he was responsible for creating faculty governance and structure, working with program chairs to develop academic policies, and maintaining budget oversight. 

After his tenure as President, he will continue to support TSP as “Past President” for the 2025-2026 academic year, followed by an “Advisor” role for the three years following.

School Psychology Initiatives at Montclair State University

Alfonso hopes to launch a doctoral program (PsyD) in school psychology within CEEL in Fall 2026. Recently, Montclair approved a faculty line to support this academic initiative. If the launch takes place, this would be the third PsyD program offered in New Jersey and the twenty-first in the United States. The program would support students pursuing a practitioner role in various settings, including PK-12 education.

“It’s an honor to be named President of TSP, an organization I deeply admire. In addition, I look forward to expanding educational and training opportunities for future school psychologists within the College for Education and Engaged Learning at Montclair State University,” says Alfonso.

Story by Social Media and Communications Coordinator Lauren Conforti