Counseling Psychology Students

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Yangtian Yan.jpeg

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.jpg

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! 

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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! 

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Kimberly M. Wesley

Pronouns: she/her

Year you entered the program: 2023

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Research Interests: My research focuses on racism, anti-racism, racial trauma, radical healing, Black experience, and oppression

Hobbies & Interests: Photography, vlogging, traveling, fashion and makeup, creative writing, painting, bingeing TV, fandoms (Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Twilight, TVD)

Fun Fact: I'm a content creator. I'm a Sagittarius. I have two cats and will have more someday.  

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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! 

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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

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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 

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Chris 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.

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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.jpeg

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.

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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

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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. 

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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!

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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

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

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.

Ryan Chong

Yun Kai Chong (Ryan)
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

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

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

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!

Emily Thornton

Emily Thornton Ethridge

Year you entered the program: 2019

Something Interesting about you: I love backpacking, I am a huge Marvel Cinematic Universe fan (Spider-Man is my favorite character), and I am an avid reader. 

Research Interests: Broadly, I am interested in positive psychology and health related outcomes, neuropsychology, and personal growth. 

Email: emt63@uakron.edu

Courtney Michael

Courtney Michael

Year I entered the program: 2019

Interesting fact: I lived in Germany for six years 

Research Interests: Social media, attractiveness, African American women and self esteem, & African American women and body image 

Blessing Opara

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.

Kristyn Oravec

Kristyn Oravec

Entered the program: 2019

Interesting fact: I love Disney! I've been a Disney fan ever since I was little and have been to Disney World five times now and plan to continue going as long as I'm able to! I also have two big tattoos of Ariel and Ursula because The Little Mermaid is my favorite film!

Research interests: Intimate Partner Violence in LGBT+ relationships & advocacy for LGBT+ individuals

Sara McCormick

Sara McCormick

Year Entered: 2019

Interesting fact: Before psychology, my career plan was to coach high school debate (which I did for 2 years!)

Research interests: Trauma-Informed Therapy, Resilience, Gender and Sexuality

Ning Tang.jpeg

Ning Tang

Pronouns: she/her

Year you entered the program: 2019

Hometown: Taiwan

Research Interests: gendered racism, micro-aggression, well-being of international students, post-traumatic change.

Hobbies & Interests: going on walks and short hikes, watching trashy reality TV shows, playing video games and board games, snacking, trying new foods, traveling, boxing.

Nicole Fogwell

Nicole Fogwell

Year you entered the program: 2018
Interesting fact: I played rugby all through my undergrad, and played for select sides at the state and regional level
Research interests: Sexual minority women, measure development, gender minority persons, mental and physical health outcomes for LGBTQ persons

Jessica-Terrizzi

Jessica Terrizzi 

Year you entered the program: 2018

Something Interesting about you: I am enthusiastic about running, watching movies, and anything that has to do with animals.

Research Interests: I have several research interests including: trauma, anxiety, depression, and masculinity 

E-mail: jlt171@uakron.edu

Migyeong Jang

Migyeong Jang

Year you entered the program: 2018

Something Interesting about you: My childhood dream was to own a Baskin-Robbins store so that I could have all 31 flavors every day. 

Research Interests: Women of color, LGBTQ+ experience in Asian/Asian American populations, immigrant experience, intersectionality

E-mail: mj156@uakron.edu

Kiarra King

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

Devynn Campbell-Halfaker

Devynn Campbell-Halfaker

Year you entered the program: Fall 2017

Something interesting about you: I am a first generation college student, and I'm the first person in my family to move out of the state of Missouri!

Research interests: I'm interested in the process of seeking mental health treatment, the role of social support in this process, and the unique experiences of people living in rural areas.

Aaron Bethea

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.

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