Department Chair: Richard Lapan
Room 163, Hills House South; (413) 545-3610
lapan@educ.umass.edu

Mission

The Department of Student Development and Pupil Personnel Services (SDPPS) focuses on the development of the individual pupil within the context of a variety of formal educational settings (N-16). Research and scholarship are linked to the study of individual students and their relationships with peers, educators, and families. Study also includes relationships within and among various social groups and their interactions with educational systems, families, and communities. Research and scholarship enable students to participate in the development of innovative program models and in the deeper understanding of individuals and groups in formal educational settings. Research is shaped by our commitment to social justice and diversity.