Why FSU?

FSU and Tallahassee have been my home away from home for over fifteen years. I have met some of the best people in the world here, and that has also translated to the quality of education I have received at FSU. When I was accepted into the combined PhD program in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology in the College of Education, I knew that this would be the best option for my educational and professional growth.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

My motivation to pursue a graduate degree includes my desire to make changes in sustainable ways. Pursuing my master's and PhD here at FSU has offered me the opportunity to see how individual and systemic changes can be made. I intend to continue to use the knowledge I have learned here to make my community a better place for everyone in it.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

The importance of my research is to better understand how resilience can moderate the impact of microaggressions. Research supports that students and professionals affected by microaggressions face negative consequences like reduced productivity. A better understanding of resilience and how someone appraises microaggressions can help researchers create practical solutions to minimize these negative effects.

Career aspirations

Some of my career aspirations include providing mental health therapy to military veterans diagnosed with PTSD and collaborating with universities to provide a clearer path for undergraduate students wanting to be psychologists. Our future has many challenges, and I believe psychologists have unique training and skills to meet those mental health demands.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Have fun, work hard, and be mindful of what you want to do when you finish school. Having a career goal before you finish your program can better help you organize your time and reduce your anxiety about where and what you want to do next.

Accomplishments during graduate career

Accomplishments that I am proud of include multiple manuscripts of qualitative research and publications of minority students utilizing their resources to exceed any goals they had originally created for themselves. Listening to students talk about their academic growth has made me reflect on my own journey and the gratitude I have for everyone that has helped me on my path. I am also very proud to have been awarded the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship (2023).