About Us

Learn about our organization

Mission

PSA is the only student organization on campus dedicated solely to protecting and uplifting survivors as well as acting as the voice for students in all matters related to Title IX and power based violence. We lead many education and prevention programs aimed at engaging the community as well as creating space for survivors and students in the conversation with administration. PSA sits on the Sexual assault Prevention Committe and the Title IX Advisory Board. Most of what we do is influenced by the fact that Survivors deserve to be heard and protected on their campus, as well as the notion that oftentimes students at UMD want a space to talk about power based violence but don’t know how or where to start the conversation.

History

PSA began it’s charter in October 2015. The founder, McClain, had been assaulted the year prior when she was a junior. She didn’t tell anyone and didn’t know of any resources on campus. Later that year, in the spring, she became a pledge mom of her sorority. McClain wanted to look after her new member class so she opened up to them about what happened to her as a way to let them know they need to look out for each other. She then learned that one of her new members also had the same attacker. McClain then opened up to her entire sorority and more women disclosed their own assaults, and noticed a few them shared the same attackers. After learning this, McClain wanted to offer a support system system. Her an her roommates wanted to push for a positive changes and legislation reforms, while also involving allies.

PSA was then formed by 7 women and they began their club by handing our flyers around the UMD campus. The club would have weekly meetings and would invite guests to speak. The first Occupy Mckeldin was in 2016 after President Loh refused to discuss with McClain about improving resources on campus. From those 7 women PSA has grown in an organization over 90 members. Our mission continues on for creating an uplifting environment for survivors while also bringing awareness of sexual violence.

Meet The Team

Presidents

Anna Gerstein Co-President

Damiana Colley Co-President

The presidents oversee and manage all executive positions. They coordinate events, general body meetings, speakers and lecturers, executive meetings, and survivor support. The presidents also take an active role in connecting and meeting with University of Maryland administration and maintain a positive relationship between the organization and the school. The vice president assists the presidents in their missions and duties, and also attends SAPC meetings.

Vice Presidents

Shivani Sidh Co-Vice President

Brandee Kaplan Co-Vice President

Historians

Lo Willingham Co-Historian

Eva Houlton Co-Historian

Treasurer

Aoy Staples Treasurer

Mental Health Chairs

Gianna D'Alessio Co-Chair

Angelina Ward Co-Chair

Academic and Community Outreach

Jisu Noh Co-Chair

Amanda Eason Co-Chair

Events Coordinators

Kaity Deaner Co-Chair

Lilia Shahal Co-Chair

Survivor Support Chair

Maya Hosahalli Co-Chair

Elissa Hook Co-Chair

Greek Relations Chair

Shelby O'Brien Co-Chair

Brooke Hurst Co-Chair

Fundraising Committee

Jonah Benjamin Co-Chair

Valerie Bell Co-Chair

Ambassador Chair

Camille Fabiyi Ambassador Chair

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair

Lola Hill Co-Chair

Seetal Ahluwalia Co-Chair

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