Student Bios : The University of Akron, Ohio

Counseling Psychology Students

Please check-out our student organization social media pages on Instagram:

CPGSO: cpgsoakron
Diversity Diaglogues: dialogues_uakron
Defined Lines: ua_definedlines

	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: 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.
	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
	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.
	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!
	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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.