Ursula Rocha Promoted to ACPS Director of School Psychology

Ursula Rocha is a multilingual psychologist and longtime Alexandrian with 25 years of experience in school psychology and student support, serving students and families across all school levels, from preschool through adult education. She has dedicated her career to advancing equity in mental health services, strengthening student support systems and ensuring each student's diverse needs are met.

Before being promoted to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) director of school psychology, Rocha served as a mental health specialist with the ACPS Department of Student Services and Equity, where she led and supported divisionwide work in social-emotional learning, mental health, crisis intervention and prevention and student support. Her work included overseeing the implementation of ACPS’ social-emotional learning framework and Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating (RULER), supporting suicide risk assessment and prevention, strengthening trauma-informed practices, and collaborating with the Department of Teaching, Learning and Leadership to embed social and emotional learning into the academic day.

Rocha also served as acting director of school psychology during the summer transition, providing leadership and continuity for the department. Throughout her career in ACPS, she has held numerous leadership roles, including Student Support Team (SST) lead, 

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) chair, restorative practices trainer and school liaison, new teacher mentor and supervisor of school psychology interns and externs.

Her leadership extends across ACPS and the broader Alexandria community. Rocha serves as a strategy lead in implementing the ACPS 2030 Strategic Plan, represents ACPS in the City of Alexandria Human Trafficking work and serves on the Leadership Council of the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP) Education Work Group. She is also a commissioner on the Children, Youth, and Families Collaborative Commission (CYFCC) and a member of the School Health Advisory Board (SHAB). She previously served on the Marcus Alert Working Group during its rollout. She is a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer in both English and Spanish, an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention facilitator and a Trauma to Prison Pipeline trainer.

The former City of Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille has recognized her contributions to education and the lives of Alexandria's students. Congressman James P. Moran also honored her in the U.S. House of Representatives with the CARE Award in Education. 

Originally from Peru and a longtime Alexandrian, Rocha brings both professional expertise and a personal understanding of the experiences, challenges and strengths of ACPS students and families. Her connection to ACPS is also deeply personal. Two of her children are ACPS graduates, and her youngest currently attends ACPS. For Rocha, serving ACPS means serving a school division and community that have been central to both her professional and personal life.

Rocha holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from George Mason University, a master's in developmental psychology and a master's in administration and supervision both from Gallaudet University, and a post-masters specialist in school psychology (Psy.S) from Gallaudet University.