About Us

Our Mission

The Student Support and Wellness Professional Alliance fosters collaboration, support, and innovation at the intersection of education and mental health. Our mission is to create a dynamic and inclusive community that empowers professionals from both fields to work together to enhance the well-being and potential of individuals, families, and communities.

Together, as the SSWPA, we aspire to create a future where everyone has the support they need to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially, fostering resilient communities and brighter futures for all.

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Our Values

Holistic Well-being: We believe that a person's mental health and educational journey are interconnected and essential components of their overall well-being. Our alliance strives to promote comprehensive support systems that address the emotional, psychological, and educational needs of individuals of all ages.

Collaborative Excellence: We aim to facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration among educators, mental health practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. By sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, we seek to improve outcomes for learners while advancing the field of mental health.

Equity and Inclusion: We are committed to advocating for equity and inclusivity in education and mental health services. Our alliance actively works to dismantle systemic barriers, reduce disparities, and ensure that all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance, have access to high-quality support and opportunities.

Innovation and Research: We embrace a culture of continuous learning and evidence-based practice. Through research, data-driven initiatives, and the integration of new technologies, we strive to drive innovation that enhances both the educational and mental health sectors.

Advocacy and Awareness: We serve as a voice for the importance of mental health in education and advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of students, educators, and the community at large. Our alliance aims to raise awareness of the critical role mental health plays in educational success.

Professional Development: We are committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for our members, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their respective fields and contribute to the alliance's mission.

About Our Membership

Why Join

Joining SSWPA provides an unparalleled opportunity to be part of an elite community of professionals who are shaping the future of student support and wellness. Our alliance prioritizes the holistic well-being of students, fostering an environment of collaborative excellence, equity, and continuous learning. Become a member to actively participate in driving impactful change at the intersection of education and mental health.

Speakers

The SSWPA invites a variety of speakers, including educators, therapists, business professionals, authors, and others who provide relevant information for our members. Our speakers bring to the table a wealth of knowledge, best practices, and the latest research findings, offering insights that bridge the gap between education and mental health.

Benefits

By becoming a member of SSWPA, you join a dynamic community dedicated to the holistic well-being of students. Our approach emphasizes the profound interconnection between the academic, mental, social, and physical facets of student well-being. Membership grants you access to a vibrant tapestry of professionals, allowing for enriching collaborations, sharing invaluable knowledge, and pooling resources. In addition, members gain access to our membership ListServ.

Membership Fee

School Membership (Membership Fee includes all SSWPA members at the school.) $50

Individual Membership (Membership Fee for Student Support Professionals who are in private practice outside of schools.) $100

Individual Membership - Need-based (If you’d like to join but cannot afford the membership fee, please select this option, and we will contact you to discuss further.) $0

Events

Our events are held in the DC Metro Area and NY Tri-State Area, so every member can more readily join our Lunch, Learn & Network event closest to them. They are held two times a year, typically on a Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Color-coded name tags to help identify member categories so attendees can quickly seek out those they want to speak with. Most events include networking, a 3-course plated meal, and a guest speaker. We also host smaller networking opportunities, breakfasts, and brunches.

Locations

We host two in-person Lunch, Learn & Network events in the Fall in Rockville/Bethesda and Spring in Tysons/McLean.

We host one in-person Breakfast & Networking event in the NY Tri-State Area.

We host one in-person Lunch, Learn & Network event in the Philadelphia area.

Upcoming Event

Lunch, Learn & Network
Friday, April 25th - 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Tysons Corner, Virginia

Event flyer for Student Success+Wellness Professional Alliance Spring Event. Includes the date Friday, April 25, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM at Tysons Corner, VA. Features a lunch, learn, and network session focusing on mental health for children and teens. Mentions limited space and encourages joining SSWPA for early access to events.

Meet the Founders

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    Alex Williams, MSW

    FOUNDING MEMBER

    Alex Williams serves as the Clinical Outreach Specialist with Anxiety Institute, an organization treating those with significant anxiety and OCD. She works with therapeutic, educational, and community professionals to assist in resource connection, clinical assessments, and mental health education to ensure adolescents and families can thrive with the right resources. She has a passion for making sure everyone has access to the care they need, no matter what their situation. Outside of work, you can catch Alex whipping up recipes at home, exploring new cuisines, or escaping to the mountains to reconnect with nature.

  • Smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a white turtleneck sweater.

    Carmen Zahra, M.Ed.

    FOUNDING MEMBER

    Carmen Izurieta-Zahra, M.Ed. serves as the National Director of Outreach for CLE, a national post-secondary program for students with a variety of exceptionalities (including ADHD and ASD). Throughout her career, she has pursued a mission to empower students in finding their true potential. Carmen currently holds a master's in special education and a bachelor's in public relations. In her current role, she has married both professional backgrounds in hopes of making a long-lasting impact in the educational community.

  • Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a pink blazer standing in front of a mural.

    Olga Marable, M.A.

    FOUNDING MEMBER

    Olga Marable, M.A., is the Business Development Manager at ClearView Communities, a residential mental health treatment program for young adults in Frederick, MD. She previously served as the Director of Admissions & Outreach at Fusion Academy for six years.

    With a passion for relationship-building, Olga enjoys fostering connections within the education and mental health communities, as well as the individuals they support. She also has experience in digital marketing and luxury wedding planning.

    Olga holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a focus on Advertising and Public Relations from Towson University and a Master of Arts in Management with a focus on Marketing.

    Originally from Belarus, Olga immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of three. She takes pride in preserving her native language and passing it on to her children, Connor and Payton.

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    Wendy Weinberger, J.D.

    FOUNDING MEMBER

    Wendy Weinberger, J.D. is the President and co-founder of Illuminos, a passion-born business from her experiences growing up with numerous family members with ADHD. When her son received the same diagnosis, she worked hard to help him overcome the many challenges and decided to expand her cousin Evan’s unique curriculum-based academic coaching business to the DC area to help parents and students in her community with similar challenges.

    In 2023, Wendy was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Education by Women We Admire.

    A lifelong supporter of children’s causes, Wendy has been a long-time advocate for Children’s Miracle Hospital Networks and Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC for whom she raised more than $550,000 for the facility.

    Wendy holds a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center, and a Bachelor’s in Science, cum laude, from the University of Maryland. Prior to founding Illuminos, she spent 25 years as a practicing attorney, General Counsel & COO of publicly traded companies gaining a broad range of experiences that she leverages today in managing Illuminos.

Educational Partners

  • Logo of Anxiety Institute featuring stylized leaves and text

    Anxiety Institute

    Advanced treatment that empowers adolescents & young adults to reach their full potential.

  • Logo of CLE with text "College Living Experience" and a stylized green book icon.

    CLE

    National Post-Secondary Education

  • Cartoon owl with a graduation cap, holding a pointer, in the "Illuminos Academic Coaching & Tutoring" logo.

    Academic Coaching & Tutoring

    Executive Function Coaching

  • ClearView Communities logo with a stylized building and sunburst design

    ClearView Communities

    Adult Residential Mental Health Services