CURRENT STUDENTS
Ersie Gentzis
Education
School Psychology PhD Candidate, Michigan State University
MA in School Psychology, Michigan State University
BA in Psychology, University of Houston
Minor in Quantitative Social Science
Research Interests
Academic motivation, hope, achievement in underserved populations, academic intervention development, Self-Determination Theory
Personal Interests
Running, painting, being near (or in) bodies of water, mystery books, & traveling
Nathalie marinho
Education
School Psychology PhD Candidate, Michigan State University
MA in School Psychology, Michigan State University
BA in Psychology, Spring Arbor University
International student from Brasilia, Brazil
Research Interests
Inclusion of English learners in the American education system, psychosocial perceptions of English learners and native English speakers, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for adolescents, infant mental health and home visiting projects
Personal Interests
Spending time with church family and friends & presiding over MSU’s Brazilian Graduate Students Organization
shelbie spear
Education
School Psychology PhD Candidate, Michigan State University
MA in School Psychology, Michigan State University
BS in Psychology, Grand Valley State University
AAS in Psychology, Muskegon Community College
Research Interests
Culturally responsive practices in education, multidisciplinary supports for refugee youth, school mental health, program evaluation
Personal Interests
Reading, volunteering, spin classes, hiking near bodies of water, & vegan cooking
Leah Jansen
Education
School Psychology PhD Student, Michigan State University
MA in Educational Studies, University of Michigan
BA in French Language and Literature, University of Michigan
Research Interests
Socially just and culturally responsive education practices, positive psychology, school belonging, academic psychosocial perceptions
Personal Interests
Cooking and food thrillers, camping, traveling, anything francophone, reading legal thrillers, & teaching at the Barre Code
SKYE TAYLOR
Education
School Psychology PhD Student, Michigan State University
BS in Psychology, Wayne State University
Minor in Public Health
Research Interests
Depression severity, psychosocial perceptions in African American youth, the relationship of depression severity with students’ academic psychosocial perceptions (e.g., academic motivation)
Personal Interests
Photography, rollerskating, music
Kayla Whitley
Education
School Psychology PhD Student, Michigan State University
BA in Psychology, The University of Akron
Minor in Spanish
Research Interests
Social Emotional Learning, hope, culturally responsive practices in education, interventions that enhance success for minority students and English learners
Personal Interests
Yoga, cooking, traveling, and collecting vinyl records
Paz Bonaventura
Education
Currently an Undergraduate Research Assistant, Michigan State University
Cypress Bay High School
Research Interests
Sports psychology
Personal Interests
Playing tennis, making jewelry, & reading
LAB ALUMNI
jOI CLAIBORNE
Education
School Psychology PhD Graduate, Michigan State University
MA in School Psychology, Michigan State University
BA in Organizational Studies, University of Michigan
Research Interests
Teacher emotional wellness, positive psychology, social emotional learning, academic achievement in African American students, school culture, positive behavior supports and interventions
Personal Interests
Traveling, cooking, & spending time with family
jessie drews
Education
Counseling Psychology PhD Student, Wayne State University
School and Community Psychology Masters Student, Wayne State University
BA Psychology and Studio Art Minor, Oakland University
Research Interests
ER, stress, perfectionism, positive psychology, hope, mattering, & academic achievement
Personal Interests
Mario Kart, volunteering, & running