Student Research and Clinical Profiles

Highlighting Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Students

Safeyah Ashari

Safeyah Ashari

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

Ed.S. in Professional Counseling, Middle Tennessee State University

B.S. in Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University

About:

Safeyah Ashari is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at Tennessee State University. She has an Ed.S. in Professional Counseling with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling from Middle Tennessee State University. She was born and raised in Nashville Tennessee. Safeyah’s research interests lie in the intersectionality of trauma, race, and culture, particularly for marginalized and migrant populations. Outside of academics, Safeyah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading works of fiction, going on hikes, and watching TV.

Hanna Benkowski (she/her)

Counseling Psychology Ph. D. Student

M.A. Clinical Psychology: Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

Research Team: Dr. Brooke Rappaport

About:

Hanna Benkowski is a first-year doctoral student in the counseling psychology program. She was born and raised in North Carolina and lived in Texas for seven years. Hanna’s research interests include privilege and intersectional awareness, focusing on allyship development, intersectional feminism, and multicultural training. In her free time, Hanna enjoys reading, drinking coffee, and spending time with her loved ones.

Benkowski Profile

Student Profile

Jada Carter

Counseling Psychology Ph. D. Student

About:

Jada Carter is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Tennessee State University.  She is a New Orleans native, who has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Illustrious Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s degree in Psychology/Counseling from the University of West Alabama. Jada’s research interests focus on culturally tailored holistic approaches to mental health. Specifically, body-centered therapies and somatic practices in addressing concerns such as stress, anxiety/depression, disordered eating,  grief/trauma-informed care, and overall mind-body health promotion for women of color. Outside of her academic pursuits, Jada embraces all things health, wellness, and joy!—She spends her free time working out, connecting with family, leading yoga and breathwork classes, or inspiring others through her social media platforms

Catalina Echeverry

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology the University of Missouri-Columbia

B.A. in Psychology - Georgia State University.

About:

Catalina Echeverry is a doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at Tennessee State University. She has an M.Ed. in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a B.A. in psychology from Georgia State University. She is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, but currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Catalina's research interests lie in looking at immigrants' mental health and well-being, how the acculturation process changes their racial, ethnic, and cultural identity, Latinx populations, social justice policies, multicultural issues, and minority stressors. During her free time, she loves to spend time with her friends and family exploring new locations in Nashville.

Catalina Echeverry

Shelby Gash

Shelby Gash

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

Master of Arts in Psychology -Chatham University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Salisbury University

About:

Shelby Gash is a doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at Tennessee State University. She attended Chatham University for her Master of Arts in Psychology degree, and Salisbury University for her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She has a substantial background in climate change, mindfulness and health psychology research, and has presented her work in partnership with her research mentor at several conferences. Shelby has also given a TED talk on resilience for TEDxSalisbury. She is a member of the APA, Psi Chi, Phi Kappa Phi, and has a history of volunteering with the Red Cross. Shelby's current research interests involve trauma, the AI/AN/CI/NH and geriatric population, alongside her withstanding research interests. Shelby enjoys spending time with her friends, visiting her family in her home state of Maryland, and spoiling her dog.

 

Jonathan Gilbert

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

 M.S in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling - Grand Canyon University

 B.S in Computer Science - Southern Adventist University

 About: 

Jonathan is a first year PhD student from Huntsville, Alabama. Jonathan’s research interest include workplace mental health, and trauma. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys boxing, playing video games with friends, spending time with family. After graduation, Jonathan hopes to go back to work with the Department of Defense, and other companies to establish a corporate cultural of mental wellness and supporting workplace mental health as a true investment in the equity and wellbeing of employees.

Jonathan Gilbert

CharMayne Jackson

CharMayne Jackson 
 
Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student 
 
M.S., Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL, Counseling Psychology 
 
B.A., Purdue University, IUPUI – Indianapolis, IN Campus, Psychology 
 
Research Team: Dr. Brooke Rappaport 
 
About:  
 
CharMayne is a first-year doctoral student in the counseling psychology program here at Tennessee State University. While she has lived everywhere from the Midwest to the South, CharMayne was born and raised in Indiana. CharMayne’s research interests include Intersectionality, Discrimination and Villainization of BIPOC Women, Resilience, and the “Strong Black Woman” Identity. CharMayne is the proud pup mom of Prince and Apollonia, and in her free time enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and reading a good book.

Gavyn McCall

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

M.S. in Clinical Psychology - Auburn University at Montgomery

B.A. in Psychology - Auburn University

About:

Gavyn McCall is a doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at Tennessee State University. He earned his M.S. in clinical psychology at Auburn University at Montgomery and his B.A. in psychology from Auburn University. He is originally from Birmingham, Alabama. Gavyn’s research interests currently are BIPOC mental health disparities, racial and class inequity, adverse mental health outcomes stemming from COVID-19, male alexithymia, and fringe group evolution and dynamics. Gavyn enjoys gaming, running, and exploring Nashville for good restaurants in his free time. 

 

 

Gavyn McCall

Bradford Pippen

Bradford Pippen

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

Masters in Psychology, University of Kentucky

B.S. in Psychology, University of Memphis

About:

Bradford is a first year PhD student from Lewisburg, Tennessee. Bradford's research interests include, Forgiveness, Restorative Justice and Social Movements. In his free time, Bradford enjoys playing soccer, spending time with his family and discovering new music. After graduation, Bradford hopes to work with the Tennessee Department of Justice to expand their restorative justice policies and practices. 

 

Raymond Popplewell

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

M.S. Mental Health and Clinical Psychology-London South Bank University

B.S., Psychology-University of the West Indies, St. Augustine

About

Raymond Popplewell is a doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at TSU. He is originally from Boston, MA but was raised in Trinidad & Tobago. Raymond’s research interests include; how intersectionality impacts identity development, BIPOC men’s mental health and the disparities in access to mental health services. In his free time Raymond enjoys watching tv and spending time with loved ones. 

 

Raymond Popplewell

Tayler Thomason

Tayler Thomason

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

About

Tayler is a first-year student in the Counseling Psychology program at Tennessee State University. She recently relocated to Tennessee from Arkansas, where she lives with her two dogs who are her whole world. Tayler's research interest consists cultural implication in the treatment of severe mental illness, eating disorders, and mental health and microaggressions as they relate to collegiate sports. In her free time Tayler enjoys spending time with her pups, outdoor activities, and attending local concerts. 

 

Kiara Tookes-Williams

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Student

Masters of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health CounselingLaGrange College

Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology -LaGrange College

About:

Kiara Tookes-Williamsis a doctoral student in the counseling psychology program from Atlanta, Georgia. She received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology and Masters of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling both from LaGrange College. Kiara’s research interests include intergenerational trauma, child abuse, minorities in higher education, suicide, barriers in receiving counseling services, social justice, and women infertility. Outside of academics, Kiara is extremely family oriented and loves spending time with those that are close to her.

 

Kiara Tookes – Williams

 
 
Student Publications (2011-present)

Johnson, K.A ., Broyles, T.W., & Hammond, M.S. (In press). Career Intervention Effects on Agricultural Students’ Career Development at an HBCU. North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Journal.

Capretto, J. (2017). Developmental timing of childhood physical and sexual maltreatment predicts adult depression and PTSD. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0(00), 1-25. (published online first)

McKoy, T., Hammond, M., Armwood, C., & Hargrove, S. K. (2017, March) Persistence of African American Females in Engineering: The Identity Factor accepted as a Work In Progress Paper to the 2017 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Zone 2 conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

McKoy, T., King-Wilkes, B. A., & Hargrove, S. K. (2017). An Integrative Review: Intersectionality, African American Female Engineering Students, and Intent to Persist. Draft accepted to the 2018 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity Conference (CoNECD).

Student Conference Presentations (2011-present)

Audette, L., Hammond, M.S. & Johnson, K.A. (2018, August). Combining Datasets using SPSS: An Experimental Study. Poster accepted for presentation at the American Psychological Association 2018 Conference in San Francisco, California.

Smith, C.K., & Johnson, K.A. (2018, June). How First-Generation Student Status Affects Career Development in African American STEM Students. Poster accepted for presentation at the Society for Vocational Psychology 2018 Biennial Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

Johnson, K.A. (2017, November). Planned Parenthood: A Program Evaluation. Poster presentation at the Tennessee Counseling Association Conference, Nashville, Tennessee.

Johnson, K.A. (2017, April). The Relationship Between Occupational Specialty, Combat Exposure Levels, Unit Cohesion, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Combat Deployment. Oral presentation at the Middle Tennessee Psychological Association’s Conference, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Johnson, K.A. (2017, April). The Relationship Between Occupational Specialty, Combat Exposure Levels, Unit Cohesion, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Combat Deployment. Poster accepted for presentation at the Tennessee State University Psychology Day, Nashville, Tennessee.

Johnson, K.A. (2017, March). Career Intervention Effects on Agricultural Students’ Career Development at an HBCU. Oral presentation at the 2017 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, Washington, D.C.

McKoy, T., King-Wilkes, B., Beane, C., Hargrove, S., Hammond, M. (2017, November). Psychological Retention Factors of African American Engineering Students at a HBU. Poster presentation presented at the National Symposium on Student Retention, SanDestin, Florida.

McKoy, T. (2017). Retention Factors in African American Engineering Students. Poster presentation presented at Middle Tennessee Psychological Association on Spring meeting on April 22, 2017.

McKoy, T. (2017). Identity as a Retention Factors in African American Engineering Students. Oral presentation presented at Tennessee State University Annual Research Symposium on April 18, 2017. 2nd place in Graduate Science II section.

McKoy, T., Hammond, M., Armwood, C., & Hargrove, S. K., (2017, March) Persistence of African American Females in Engineering: The Identity Factor. Paper presented at the 2017 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Zone 2 conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

McKoy, T. (2017). A process evaluation of the retention of African American female engineering students. Poster presented at the 39th Annual Tennessee State University Psychology Day. Nashville, TN.

Capretto, J. & Reda, A. (November, 2017). Parent-Child Relationship Impacts Parental Help-Seeking Behaviors for Maltreated Children, Poster to be presented at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies: 33rd Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.

White, M. (2017). Associations Among Socioeconomic Status, Black Television, and Unhealthy Food Consumption in African American College Students. Thesis proposal presented at the International Obesity Research Conference, Silver Spring, Maryland.

White, M. (2016). Factors for Obesity and Physical Inactivity in African Americans due to Watching Television. Paper presented at the National Diabetic Medication Forum, Arlington, Virginia.

Capretto, J. (October, 2016). Timing of childhood sexual abuse: Impact on depression and PTSD in adulthood, Poster to be presented at the Charleston Child Trauma Conference, Charleston, CA.

Capretto, J. (May, 2016). Type and timing of childhood maltreatment: Impact on health related quality of life in adulthood, Oral presentation at the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Hammond, M., Capretto, J., Hargrove, K., Hall, J., Martin, E., & Young-Seigler, A. (May, 2016). Retaining underrepresented students in STEM: Outcomes of a culturally responsive intervention, Paper presented at the Society of Vocational Psychology, Orlando, FL.

Girresch-Ward, S., Hammond, M.S., McKoy, T. (2016, May). Unpacking the complexity of the supports and barriers scale of the STEM Fields Questionnaire. 30-minute presentation at the 2016 Biennial Conference of the Society for Vocational Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.

McKoy, T. (2016, April). The persistence of African American females in engineering: The identity factor: A pilot study. Poster presented at the 38th Annual Tennessee State University Research Symposium. Nashville, TN

White, M. (2015). Independent Research of African American Eating Approaches. Paper presented at the National Diabetic Medicine Forum, Arlington, Virginia.

White, M. (2014). Relationship Between African American Women Obesity Rates due to Socioeconomic Status. Poster presented at the Shaw University Student Research Symposium, Raleigh, NC.

White, M. (2013). Unhealthy Foods Among Americans Through the Lens of Overeating. Poster presented at the Shaw University Student Research Symposium, Raleigh, NC.

Newman, J. & Berman, A.B.  (2012). Navigating the Road Ahead: Sustaining Community Partnerships in Grant-based Environments, Unpublished symposium, 2013 SCRA Conference, American Psychological Association Division 27 The Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA), submitted 12/6/2012, pending acceptance.

Hammond, M.S., Hall, D.A., Armstrong, A., & Newman, J.A. (2012, November).  Using research teams to facilitate research self-efficacy.  Presentation given at Psychology Educators of Tennessee Conference, Murfreesboro, TN. 

Battle, L. K.Armstrong, A. P., Brooks, C., & Jackson, C. D. (2012, Feb). Exposure to Family Violence in Childhood: Impact on Intimate Partner Relationship and Well-being. Poster presented at South Eastern Psychological Association Convention in New Orleans, LA.

Berman, A,B., Hammond, M.S., Hargrove, S.K., Hayslett, W.F., Bucknor, C.B., Jenkins, K.G., & Brooks, C. (2012). Black college student career commitment and development in Psychology. Accepted Poster Presentation, 2013 APA Convention, APAGS Division

Berman, A.,B., Newman, J., Young, T., Oatis-Ballew, R. (2012). Giving Voice to Psychology Graduate Students: A Social Justice & World Café Mentoring Model, Unpublished symposium, 2013 SCRA Conference, American Psychological Association Division 27 The Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA)

Berman, A.B., Hammond, M.S., Hargrove, S.K., Hayslett, W.F., Bucknor, C.B., Jenkins, K.G., & Brooks, C. (2012). Differences in worldview and beliefs: native and immigrant Black college student career development. Accepted Poster Presentation,  2013 APA Convention, Division 45 (Ethnic Minority Issues).

Bucknor, C., Berman, A.B ., & Hammond, M.S. (2012) Career Commitment and Retention in STEM in African American College Students.  Accepted Poster Presentation, 2013 Emerging Researchers Conference (ERN), February 28 - March 2, 2013, Washington, D.C.  

Pfost, K. S.,  Young, T. A.,  Hesson-McInnis, M. S., Loete, L., Parrish, J., & Young, L. M. (2011, August).  Investigating multiple predictors of bulimia and feminism as a buffer. Poster presented to the 2011 American Psychological Association Conference, Washington, DC.

Ramon, A., Terhorst, H., Young, L., Chang, T., Van Aman, C., Young, T., Behrens, E., & House, A. (2011, April). DBT Skills Group as a vehicle for service and learning: Lessons from our first year. Poster session presented at the Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference in Bloomington, IN.

Armstrong, A. P., Battle, L. K., & Oatis-Ballew, R. (2011, Nov). Personality, Values, and Work-Life Balance in Professional and Non-Professional Women. Poster presented at Tennessee Psychological Association Conference Student Poster Session in Nashville, TN.

Battle, L. K. (2011, March). Family Life Events impact on the Mental Health of Undergraduates attending an Historically Black College & University. Poster presented at 33rd Annual University-Wide Research Symposium Graduate Poster Presentations at Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.

Battle, L. K. (2011, March). Family Life Events impact on the Mental Health of Undergraduate Students attending a Historically Black College & University. Poster presented at 8th Annual Psychology Department Research Symposium at Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. 

Battle, L. K.Armstrong, A. P., & Oatis-Ballew, R. (2011, Nov). Family Functioning impact on Work-Life Balance in Women. Poster presented at Tennessee Psychological Association Conference Student Poster Session in Nashville, TN.






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