Student Bios : The University of Akron, Ohio

Counseling Psychology Students

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CPGSO: cpgsoakron
Diversity Diaglogues: dialogues_uakron
Defined Lines: ua_definedlines

	Aliyah Williams Pronouns: she/her Hometown: Denver, CO Research interests: My research orientation is centered around how sexual violence impacts Black women, mindfulness, somatic/holistic health, decolonial approaches to healing, feminism, multicultural treatment for sexual offenders, court diversion programming Hobbies & interests: belly dancing, yoga, creative writing/poetry, reading, fashion, and playing Animal Crossing Fun fact: I did a meditation with Raveena!
	Dasha Ellalasingham Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Hometown: Dallas, TX Research Interests: Music student mental health, positive psychology, multiculturalism Hobbies & Interests: Cooking/baking, trying new restaurants, crocheting, playing trumpet/guitar, going to museums, going on walks, watching movies/tv shows, traveling Fun Fact: I am fluent in Russian!
	Elinor Rayburn Pronouns: She/Her Hometown: Middlefield, OH Research Interests: Women's mental health, masculinity and femininity, neurodivergence, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, risk factors for neurodivergent women Hobbies & Interests: Hiking, kayaking, archery, pretty much anything outdoorsy and active, painting, photography, and baking Fun fact: My name was inspired by Elinor from Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility"
	Farjana Yasmin Pronouns: She / Her Year you entered the program: 2025 Hometown: Dinajpur, Bangladesh Research Interests: Intersections of multicultural counseling, cultural sensitivity, and mental health, with a focus on how different socio-cultural factors influence psychological well-being and growth. Hobbies & Interests: Cooking, spending time with my family, and watching television series. Fun Fact: I can happily spend an entire day just lying in bed.
	Yangtian Yan Pronouns: He/Him/His Year you entered the program: 2024 Hometown: Shandong, China Research Interests: Intersection between international students' psychological well-being and personal growth initiatives Hobbies & Interests: Video games (Switch, TFT, strategy games), hiking, cooking, driving, traveling. Fun Fact: I managed to break my 9th and 10th ribs on an indoor go-kart track— turns out my body isn't as good at drifting as the kart.
	Christine Varghese Pronouns: she/her/hers Year you entered the program: 2024 Hometown: Mount Prospect, IL Research Interests: postsecondary experiences of South Asian students, generational trauma, South Asian intergenerational immigrant communication and relationships, intersectionality between ethnicity-sexuality-religion related to identity development, romantic experiences of South Asian women Hobbies & Interests: spending time with my dog, "hiking" (walking) trails, trying new coffee shops, scrolling on TikTok for too long, pies Fun Fact: I once was hanging out alongside Tame Impala at a bar in Chicago but got too nervous to talk to them.
	Yanaiya Walker Pronouns: she/her/hers Year You Entered the Program: 2024 Hometown: Maryland Research Interests: oppression, social identity development, racial identity development, discrimination, Black mental health, self-care as healing for Black people, multiculturalism, racism, intersectionality, healing generational trauma Hobbies & Interests: hiking, traveling, music, watching movies and tv shows, reading, crocheting, learning sign language and Spanish, cooking, working out Fun Fact: one of my favorite music artists is Smino.
	Armani Shepherd Pronouns: She/Her Year you entered the program: 2024 Hometown: Summerlin, NV Research Interests: I am interested in recently released and currently incarcerated populations and lowering recidivism rates. Additionally women-specific studies, trauma, PTSD, inter-partner violence, gang affiliations, active duty, and veteran studies. Hobbies & Interests: Some of my hobbies include golfing, skiing, reading, and hiking Fun Fact: I started my college career as a business major with an aspiration of becoming a professional golfer!
	Rachel Mirsen Pronouns: They/She  Year you entered the program: 2023 Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ Research Interests: Unique IPV risk factors for disabled individuals with caregivers, the influence of gendered healthcare on psychological outcomes of nonbinary/gender non-conforming individuals following IPV Hobbies & Interests: Dance, yoga, hiking, music, outdoor activities Fun Fact: I was one of the Virginia Tech mascots (the HokieBird) and had to keep this a secret during my time in undergrad!
	McKay Ross Pronouns: he/him/his Year you entered the program: 2023 Hometown: Bellingham, WA Research Interests: LGBTQ+ experiences through a positive psychology lens, intersections between religion/sexuality, and post-traumatic growth (particularly involving religious trauma) Hobbies & Interests: Hiking, traveling, music, knitting, watching movies Fun Fact: I lived in Brazil for a few years, where I learned to speak Portuguese!
	Aubrey Powell Pronouns: she/her/hers Year you entered the program: 2023 Hometown: Strongsville, OH Research Interests: Women in masculine fields, masculinity and femininity, policework, prejudice, Latine populations Hobbies & Interests: Playing flute, reading thriller novels, watching Marvel movies Fun Fact: I studied abroad in Granada, Spain!
	Kimberly M. Wesley Pronouns: she/her Year you entered the program: 2023 Hometown: San Jose, CA Research Interests: Liberation and healing practices for Black women, with a focus on strength-based coping and health outcomes Hobbies & Interests: Vintage shopping, makeup, nails, baking, all things autumnal, and taking pics on my digital cam Fun Fact: I once traveled to Toronto just for a haircut, and I'll do it again!
	Anwar Hussein Pronouns: He/Him/His Year you entered the program: 2023 Hometown: Hilliard, OH Research Interests: Ethnic-racial identity development, biculturalism, multiculturalism, and Black mental health outcomes. Hobbies & Interests: Watching shows and movies (especially sci-fi and horror), listening to Hip-Hop, and playing video games. I also watch the NBA and premier league soccer, and I am a big Arsenal fan. Fun Fact: I used to live in Dubai!
	Diamond Brown Pronouns: they/them Year you entered the program: 2022 Hometown: Elyria, OH Research Interests: Black Queer individuals and their experiences with oppression, identity development, generational trauma Hobbies & Interests: The outdoors, watching movies, cooking Fun Fact: If I had the chance, I would submerge myself in an experience where I could exist amongst the creatures of the coral reef
	Briana Joseph Pronouns: she/her/hers Year you entered the program: 2022 Hometown: Dallas, TX Research Interests: intimate partner violence, multiculturalism, prevention and intervention programming, trauma-informed care Hobbies & Interests: Traveling, staying active, reading, trying different foods
	Ash Ng Pronouns: he/him/his Year you entered the program: 2022 Hometown: Solon, OH Research Interests: Post-Tramatic Growth among sexual and racial minorities, minority stress, and the intersectionality between being a part of the LGB community and the Asian-American community. Hobbies & Interests: Yoga, meditation, cooking, baking, hiking, photography, singing, dancing, and exploring new places Fun Fact: I worked at Starbucks for a year as a student manager. So, I know how to make a mean cup of coffee and am an avid coffee fan.
	Lorris Robinson Pronouns: he/him/his Year you entered the program: 2022 Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Research Interests: My interest involves African American men going through Academia. Multiculturalism and youth outreach. Hobbies & Interests: Apex & Anime Fun Fact: I cannot and will not eat in the dark.
	Abby Stark Pronouns: they/them Year you entered the program: 2022 Hometown: Rochester, NY Research Interests: Older adulthood, ageism, neurodivergence, multiculturalism, sexual and gender identity development, masculinity, grief Hobbies & Interests: Live music, movies and documentaries, animals, reading Fun fact: In addition to psychology, I studied Spanish & anthropology in college.
	Sianne Alexis Pronouns: she/her/hers Year you entered the program: 2021 Research Interests: Intersectionality; experiences of oppression, racism, trauma, and discrimination; health disparities among Black Women; empowerment Hobbies & Interests: Art, Anime, Movies & TV, Baking, Audiobooks
	Hannah LaMack Pronouns: she/her/hers Year you entered the program: 2021 Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO Research Interests: religion, spirituality, psychological well-being, LGBTQ+ populations Hobbies & Interests: I love to crochet, spend time outside on walks or hikes, talk about the weather, get a little coffee, and listen to audiobooks and podcasts. Fun Fact: Though I lived in Colorado for most of my life, I have not once been skiing or snowboarding.
	Audrey Tesi Pronouns: she/her Year you entered the program: 2021 Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN Research Interests: Colorism, racism, romantic relationships, health psychology, issues affecting Black women Hobbies & Interests: Painting, journaling, hiking, biking, reading, assembling puzzles, traveling, aerial arts, baking, and hanging with my pup. Fun Fact: I was on the quidditch team in college!
	Auriel Jasper-Morris Year you entered the program: 2021 Hometown: Houston, TX Research Interests: intimate partner violence, trauma-informed care, prevention and intervention programming, and program evaluation. Hobbies and Interests: Trying new food places and traveling
	Janessa Garcia Pronouns: they/them/theirs Year you entered the program: 2020 Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Research interest: Gender-based violence, gender affirming care, LGBTQ+ experiences, trauma-informed care Hobbies/interests: I love to crochet and knit! my grandmother sparked my love for crochet 13 years ago when she first taught me. I also love watching movies! A movie I can watch again and again is "Meet the Robinsons"! Fun fact: I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do!
	Keena Singletary Year you entered the program: 2020 Hometown: York, Pennsylvania Research interest: My research interests include advocacy, resiliency, and multicultural competency for disadvantaged populations. Hobbies/interests: My hobbies include working out and dancing. Fun fact: I'm allergic to Christmas Trees.
	Yun Kai Chong Year you entered the program: 2020 Hometown: Singapore Research interest: Psychological wellbeing in relation to international student adjustment, personal growth, and meaningfulness Hobbies/interests: Hiking/camping/backpacking, budget traveling, staying active Fun fact: I served in the Singapore military as a combat medic.
	Amber Lewis Year you entered the program: 2020 Hometown: Broward County, FL Research interest(s): My research interests are in understanding the experience and mental health of Black women and LGBT+ people of color; and developing advocacy programs for both groups. Hobbies and interests: My hobbies and interests include painting, collecting memes, binge watching shows, and building things. A fun fact about you: I know a bunch of useless facts
	Kelly Burke Pronouns: she/her/hers Year you entered the program: 2020 Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida Research interests: women’s career development, work-family balance, sense of purpose, well-being, and the overlap of theatre & psychology Hobbies & interests: everything about musical theatre, singing in choirs, reading, hiking, wood burning, playing card games (ask me about Fish) Fun fact: I've hiked the Torres del Paine W trek in Patagonia!
	Nina Parekh Pronouns: she/her/hers Year you entered the program: 2020 Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland Research interests: Intimate partner violence, South Asian cultural experiences, arts-based trauma interventions, feminism, and multiculturalism Hobbies & interests: Indian dance, theatre, cooking and baking, hiking, and spinning cotton candy Fun fact: I rarely go a day without drinking sparkling water, especially lemon or mango-flavored. I'm also ordained - during quarantine in 2020, I performed my older sister's wedding!
	Blessing Opara Year I entered the program: 2019 Interesting fact: I'm a pop-culture enthusiast & have watched almost every reality show. Research interests: Racial trauma, PTSD, racial socialization, social justice, and culturally-specific treatment models.
	Kiarra King Year you entered the program: 2017 Something interesting about you: I was once on a TV talk show as a baby! Research interests: Biracial identity, intimate partner violence, PTSD E-mail: kck44@uakron.edu
	Aaron Bethea Year you entered the program: 2015 Something interesting about you: I am the 2nd of 9 siblings. Research Interests: Positive psychology, resilience, grit, post-traumatic growth, and African American cultural identity.