We are deeply grateful to Maddie’s Fund, one of our most valued and inspiring partners. VPA’s continually evolving consulting services would not be possible without their generous support and long-standing commitment. Maddie’s Fund is dedicated to transforming the status and well-being of companion animals. To learn more about their mission and impact, please visit www.maddiesfund.org.
UNC Charlotte has been an exceptional advocate and champion of the VPA initiative. The university’s commitment to advancing research, education, and meaningful community impact has been instrumental in sustaining and growing this program.
University Partners
VPA teams are emerging across the United States, working collaboratively and in coordination to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery. Below is a list of our active university partners (in alphabetical order).
Baruch College (New York, NY)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Andrea Bazzoli Andrea.Bazzoli@baruch.cuny.edu
Student Leader: Lia Crowley lcrowley@gradcenter.cuny.edu; Ava Morgan amorgan1@gradcenter.cuny.edu
George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Seth Kaplan skaplan1@gmu.edu
Student Leader: Emi Shannon eshanno@gmu.edu
Website: https://io.gmu.edu/vpa
Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, IL)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robert Keating rkeating1@iit.edu
Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lisa Finkelstein lisaf@niu.edu
Student Leader: Selena Heinlein Z1896124@students.niu.edu; Vyctoria (Tori) Brooks Z1903280@students.niu.edu
Website: https://niu.edu/psychology/academics/graduate/social/volunteer-program-assessment.shtml
Rice University (Houston, TX)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eden King eden.b.king@rice.edu
Student Leader: Alyssa Lee al305@rice.edu
San Diego State University (San Diego, CA)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lisa Kath lisa.kath@sdsu.edu
Student Leaders: Shreya Cho scho6390@sdsu.edu; MaKayla Ojeah mojeah6234@sdsu.edu
University of Auckland (Auckland, New Zealand)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lixin Jiang l.jiang@auckland.ac.nz
Website: https://www.oohi.auckland.ac.nz/vpa/
University of Georgia (Athens, GA)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Brian Frost frostb@uga.edu
Student Leaders: Meredith Mayson Meredith.Mayson@uga.edu; Lexi Saphos alexia.saphos@gmail.com
University of Houston (Houston, TX)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Denise Reyes dlreyes@central.uh.edu
Student Leader: Nandini Mehta nmmehta@CougarNet.UH.EDU; Elaine Waier ewaier@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Website: https://uh.edu/class//psychology/io-psych/volunteer-program-assessment/index.php
Wright State University (Fairborn, OH)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nathan Baker nathanbakerm@gmail.com
Website: https://science-math.wright.edu/psychology/volunteer-program-assessment