Student Perspectives

Curious about what it is like to be a student in the Counseling Area of Study?

Jackie Beard

I joined the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology in Fall 2008, after completing my master’s degree in counseling psychology at Indiana University-Bloomington.  I did my undergraduate work here at the University of Illinois, and I am happy to be back.  I’m originally from Springfield, Illinois – only an hour and a half from Urbana-Champaign – so I am quite accustomed to the climate and culture of central Illinois. 

While I have a range of research interests, the work I do with my advisor, Dr. Lisa Spanierman, revolves around the psychosocial costs of racism for White people.  In my master’s program, my research focused on multicultural assessment.   I am continuously refining my research interests as I delve into the multicultural counseling research, and I look forward to exploring my research interests even more during work on my early research project. 

All of my clinical experience as a master’s student took place in college counseling centers, and I take pleasure in working with this population.  I am currently doing my advanced practicum placement at the McKinley Mental Health Unit, and I really enjoy the clientele as well as the professional staff I work with.   I am teaching EPSY 202: Exploring Cultural Diversity for my second year, and I love my role as a T.A.  The students are great, and it has been very rewarding leading discussions about diversity issues and seeing their personal growth around these issues. Additionally, I am a graduate assistant at the Counseling Center and work on providing outreach about LGBT issues to the campus community.

In my spare time, I enjoy visiting friends, traveling, watching college basketball, watching movies, trying new food, and spending time with loved ones.  I’m also playing fantasy football for the first time and hoping that I have a successful go at it!  Email: jcbeard@illinois.edu

Michelle Birkett

In the fall of 2004 I entered the Counseling Psychology Program to work with my advisor Dr. Dorothy Espelage.  I had previously attended the University of Illinois, where after a brief stint as an Engineering student, I received my B.S. in Psychology.  

My research generally deals with how contextual systems affect the well being and mental health of youth, particularly LGBTQ youth.  In my Master’s thesis I used a strength-based approach to examine how school climate and parental relationships moderate mental health in LGBT middle school students.  In my Dissertation I examined how adolescent masculinity attitudes influence individual levels of homophobia, and how peer groups socialize these attitudes and behaviors over time.

Although I have worked with college-aged students as a clinician at the UIUC Counseling Center and the UIUC Career Center, my clinical interests revolve around adolescents. I've worked with youth in residential settings and in an outpatient medical clinic. Currently, I am a pre-doctoral intern at the University of Rochester Medical Center in the Child and Adolescent Program where I'm working in both inpatient and outpatient settings and receiving exposure to pediatric settings.

I have also devoted a large portion of my time in the program to teaching and have served in various administrative positions as the Coordinator of EPSY 220, the Graduate Assistant to the Training Director of the Counseling Program, and the Educational Psychology Executive Committee Student Representative. Outside of school, my interests lie in music, art, and science.  A lot of my free time is spent road tripping, being outdoors, going to concerts and making a mess of my kitchen by cooking elaborate recipes.  Email: birkett@illinois.edu

James Brooks

In Fall of 2009, I entered the Counseling Psychology Program with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Illinois State University. As an undergraduate student, I worked with faculty members on research concerning person perception, motive attributions, and stigmas concerning race and obesity. When I was finally able to “let loose” on my own interest, I gravitated toward the study of close relationships and have been enamored with the topic since (most notably, romantic relationships). My honors thesis was titled “Maintaining Romantic Relationships: The Principle of Least Interest and Attachment”. Through those experiences, I found, first hand, the joy of conducting new research and I look forward to working in the area of relationships with other students of the program.

I currently hold a teaching assistantship for EPSY 420: Theories of Psychotherapy and am enjoying all of the behind the scenes work of helping to manage a course. I look forward to developing as an instructor. I plan to act as the “Triple Threat” of the counseling psychologist and teach, research and practice psychology.

I am from the state capital of Springfield, Illinois, where I “tied the knot” only a few weeks prior to my first semester at Illinois. I enjoy bowling, photography, occasionally watching a sporting event and attempting to train our puppy, Domino. Email: brooks12@illinois.edu

Milo Dodson

Prior to entering the program during the fall of 2008, I received my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, as well as a minor in Africana Studies. I am originally from Covina, CA (25 miles east of Los Angeles).

For my Senior Honors Thesis at Notre Dame, I examined the relationship between racial identity, self-esteem, and perceptions of the n-word in African Americans. During my first year, I held a Teaching Assistantship for EPSY 202 to encourage cultural diversity and promote social justice.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Helen Neville, I am currently writing my Master’s Thesis, which aims to gain more insight about African American college students’ perceptions and emotional reactions to use of the n-word both as a racial slur as well as a term of endearment. This year, I am fortunate enough to be the Graduate Assistant for the African American Outreach Team and the President for the Black Graduate Student Association.

To recharge my battery pack, I enjoy playing basketball, piano, saxophone, working out, snowboarding, writing poetry, and traveling the world as much as possible. Email: dodson4@illinois.edu

Michelle Flores

I joined the Counseling Psychology program in Fall 2009 after completing a graduate degree in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. I am originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, but have lived in China as well as other parts of the U.S.

My research interests deal with issues of racial identity, colorblindness, discrimination, and racism particularly for People of Color in the U.S. In the past, I’ve conducted research on anti-Asian prejudice, familismo, and the impact of racism on academic motivation.  I will continue this line of research with my current advisor, Dr. Helen Neville.  As a long-term goal, I hope to become a university professor and infiltrate cross-cultural awareness into mainstream psychology courses. I also want to mentor students by continuing to do research in the areas of racism and discrimination. Finally, I hope to minimize the language and cultural barriers that Spanish and Chinese- speaking populations face by being a therapist and advocate for these communities.

During my free time I enjoy making jewelry, hiking, and dancing. A special passion of mine is traveling and visiting one new local place every weekend.

Carol Fonseca

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and received my Bachelors of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso.  As a Latina from a border-town and a first generation college student, the move to graduate school in the Midwest was a huge change that I had to learn how to adapt to.  Luckily, with the support from faculty, peers, my family and friends, I have adjusted fairly well to the hectic life of graduate school.

I am a fourth year student in the program, and work with Dr. Lydia Buki (from Community Health) and Dr. Ramona Oswald (from the Department of Human and Community Development).  My research interests pertain to focusing on underserved populations such as ethnic and sexual minorities, particularly Latinos and the LGBT community.  I would like to examine couples’ issues (i.e., intimate partner violence, sexuality, conflict resolution) and health disparities within those populations.  I have done practicums at the Counseling Center the Community Mental Health Center.  Email: cfonseca@uiuc.edu

Bryana French

I entered the program in the Fall of 2003, originally from Minneapolis, MN, and received my B.A. in Psychology Magna Cum Laude at Hamline University in St. Paul. My research interests focus on sexual coercion among ethnically diverse adolescents, exploring the ways they understand and experience sexual coercion and the psychosocial adjustment to these experiences. I work under the guidance and mentorship of my advisor, Dr. Helen Neville.

My personal and professional interests are centered on social justice and addressing multiple forms of oppression at multiple levels. As a student on the UIUC campus and member of the community, it has been vital for me personally, professionally, and spiritually to actively and collectively work on ways to improve and transform these structures.

To work toward this goal and move closer to a space of respect and value for all persons, I have sought various opportunities throughout my tenure as a graduate student. I am currently the African American Outreach graduate assistant through the Counseling Center and have served as the co-chair of the Graduate and Professional Students of Color. Through teaching, I have taught social justice and diversity in EPSY 202 Exploring Cultural Diversity and co-facilitated the Exploring Sexual Orientation dialogue course EOL 199. In my clinical work, my theoretical approach is grounded in multiculturalism and feminist theory, and I have actively sought a practicum experience at the Champaign County Mental Health Center that focuses on strength based, empowerment approaches to meet the psychosocial needs of Black youth and families. I have also completed practicum positions at UIUC's and ISU's counseling centers. Finally, the most rewarding and energizing experience I participate in is activism and coalition work. I have been active and vocal in numerous campus and community organizing opportunities around issues pertaining to racism, sexism, and homophobia at UIUC and in the broader community, as a means to more directly address issues of institutional oppression. Email: bryana.french@gmail.com

Nallely Galvan

I started the program in 2004 after completing a Masters Degree in Counseling from Indiana University-Bloomington. I was born and raised in Mexico City and my family currently lives in Washington State.

I enjoy a variety of activities particularly meeting people from different countries, traveling, and doing volunteer work. These activities have influenced my research interests which include multicultural issues in counseling and research, women’s health, violence against women, and health disparities among Latinas/os and other underserved groups.

In addition to research, I also enjoy teaching and clinical work. At this point, most of my clinical work is done in Spanish and I work primarily with adult Latinas/os through the local mental health center.  Email: ngalvan2@uiuc.edu

Saroj Hardit

I entered the Counseling Psychology program in Fall 2006 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  I worked at a community mental health agency in my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama after completion of my undergraduate studies.  My experiences working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness had a profound impact and prompted my return to graduate school to earn my doctorate.  

My research interests include my master’s thesis topic of the impact of media and parental and peer criticism on body dissatisfaction in young women.  Other areas of interest include substance abuse on college campuses, domestic violence, sexual assault, and trauma. 

The most rewarding part of this program has been my extensive clinical opportunities.  I am currently completing a practicum at Carle Clinic in the Child and Adolescent Psychology/Psychiatry Department.  Past practicum experiences have included working at McKinley Health Center, Mental Health Unit and at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Danville in the PTSD clinic.  Other clinical work has included conducting assessments in the Alcohol and Other Drug Office and testing at the Disability Resources and Education Center (DRES).  I serve as the Women’s Issues and Trauma Graduate Assistant at the Counseling Center and serve on the Trauma Treatment Team.  I also worked at McKinley Health Center as the Stress Management Graduate Assistant for two years.

I have had the opportunity to sharpen my teaching skills by teaching a number of undergraduate courses including EPSY 202, EPSY 236, EPSY 405, and EPSY 420, and to earn my Graduate Teaching Certificate. 

In my limited free time, I enjoy traveling, watching movies, volunteering and staying connected to my friends and family despite the geographical distance. Email: shardit2@illinois.edu 

Jeremy Henn

I started in the counseling psychology program in fall 2002. Prior to grad school, I worked as a mechanical engineer for five years in Columbus, Ohio (using my BSME degree from Ohio State) and as a teacher/tutor in Austin, Texas for two years.

At the University of Illinois, I have enjoyed the many opportunities for training and mentorship in research, clinical practice, and teaching. My research areas seem to group into three broad themes: interest, achievement motivation and academic engagement, and experiences of racism. My clinical experiences have been at the mental health unit of the university medical center, a VA hospital, and the university disability resources and educational services center. I have also taught a variety of courses within the department of educational psychology.

When I am not in ‘school-mode,’ I enjoy spending time with my family and being involved in the community. Email: jhenn@uiuc.edu

John K Knorek

I entered the counseling psychology program in 2006 immediately after completing my undergraduate work at the University of Oregon (B.S. in Psychology and Anthropology).  My home town is Kailua, Hawaii.

While in this program, my clinical work has provided me with a diverse range of experiences.  I have spent year long practicums at 1) the Mental Health Unit, housed in the university health center, 2) the Inpatient Mental Health Unit and the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP) at the Danville Illinois Veterans Hospital and 3) the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) facility on campus.  I have spent the past 2 years working at the Alcohol and other drug office (AODO) on campus conducting alcohol and other drug assessments and assisting initiatives to create a safer campus community around drugs of abuse.  This program has offered ample supply of clinical opportunities that range in work setting, client type, mental health concern and severity.

Initially, my research built off my previous undergraduate experience, investigating individual differences (personality, interests, abilities, values, etc.) relations and development.  Specifically, my master’s thesis investigated the continuity and change in vocational interests and personality and how the two constructs relate to each others change across time.  As my time in the program has progressed, I have shifted my research interests to the Science of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), aligning with my career aspirations to become a faculty member at a liberal arts college.  My dissertation explores department teaching culture in higher education, differences between and within departments, and its relation to faculty teaching practices and student learning.

This program allows me to take advantage of and develop my passion for teaching.  I have engaged in a variety of teaching opportunities on campus, primarily within the Educational Psychology department.  I have taught every semester since entering the program.  I am an active member of a couple teaching focused organizations on campus that have bettered my own practice and satisfied my interest and dedication to teaching and learning.

I enjoy the outdoors, staying active and leading a healthy lifestyle, all of which have been a challenge as I advance through this program and stage of life in central Illinois.  Due to the autonomy provided by the faculty, each year of the program allows engagement in new opportunities and evolution of your professional identity according to your interests.  This program challenges you to find balance, but assists you to find direction, in your personal and professional life.  Email: jknorek2@illinois.edu

Kathy Kordesh

I joined the Counseling Psychology program in the Fall of 2009 after receiving my B.S. in psychology, with a minor in history, here at the University of Illinois in 2008. I’m originally from Oak Park, Illinois, which makes it fairly easy for me to go home to see my friends and family. I spent a brief 9 month period working as an administrative assistant at a law school in Chicago after I graduated, and although it was a great experience in many ways, I’m very glad to be back in school, especially in U of I’s amazing program.

My research interests are mainly in whiteness, white racial identity development, and white racial awareness. More specifically, I am interested in learning about the mechanisms through which white individuals come to develop different racial attitudes and understandings of how racism operates in society, especially in individuals who develop an antiracist stance. My interests have already largely been shaped by working with my advisor, Dr. Lisa Spanierman, and I look forward very much to her guidance and mentorship over the next several years. I am additionally interested in learning about feminist psychology and the multicultural-feminist framework of therapy and in my future studies as a means of augmenting the perspectives I will be able to bring into therapy when I begin training as a counselor. I also feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to teach EPSY202 beginning this semester because I find working with my students to be rewarding and extremely enjoyable – perhaps I’ll even be fortunate enough to observe some of the process that I am interested in my research occurring in some of my students.

Hobbies include reading, running and figure skating, spending as much time with friends and family as possible, and travelling. I hope to spend at least some of my free time during graduate school seeing more of the world. Another goal is to get a dog sometime in the next few years.

Eun Sul Lee 

I entered the counseling psychology program in 2006. I was born and grew up in South Korea, and received my Bachelors of Arts degree from the Sogang University at Seoul, Korea and my Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Ewha Womans University at Seoul, Korea. The move to Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA, was a whole new world and big change from South Korea. It required a huge cultural adaptation from my part, but I have been able to adapt here very successfully thanks to faculty and my lovely cohort.

I am working with Dr. James Rounds. My research interest is in vocational interest, occupational classification, and career decision making process. Currently, I am working on a project about occupational classification based on Holland’s theory in order to figure out the occupational classification that helps people find the most relevant vocational fit to their basic interest.  Email: elee66@uiuc.edu

Jioni Lewis

I entered the Counseling Psychology Program in fall of 2006 after obtaining my Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of California, Davis and my Master of Arts degree in psychology from California State University, Sacramento. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA so it took me a while to adjust to the cold winters of the Midwest.

My research interests have generally focused on issues of race and racism. I have worked with my advisor, Dr. Helen Neville, on a longitudinal research project which examined the association between color-blind racial ideology and social justice attitudes as well factors that influence the development of a critical awareness of racism among diverse college students. I have also worked as a research assistant with the Center on Democracy in a Multiracial Society, which is a campus organization focused on multicultural research. I have conducted research on the impact of subtle forms of racism, known as racial microaggressions, on students of color at predominantly White institutions. For my dissertation I plan to explore the impact of subtle forms of racism and sexism on the psychological well-being of women of color.  

I am passionate about multicultural and social justice issues, and have focused on these issues within my roles as a researcher, teacher, and counselor. As a teaching assistant, I have had the opportunity to teach courses on cultural diversity, social justice, privilege, and oppression. In addition, as a practicum counselor, I have focused on incorporating multicultural and feminist orientations in my work with diverse clients.

In my limited spare time, I enjoy stress-reducing activities such as running, kick-boxing, dancing, and socializing with friends. Email: jalewis4@uiuc.edu

Vetisha McClair

I entered the Counseling Psychology program in the Fall of 2004.   I came directly from undergrad at Howard University, where I graduated with summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in May, 2004.  I am originally from Chicago, IL and have one older brother and one younger sister.  In my spare time (what little of it I have) I enjoy listening to music, dancing, exercising and having new adventures.  

My scholarly interests are varied, they include multicultural interaction, multicultural issues in education, costs of racism and career development.  Besides research I am also interested in counseling, especially vocational and rehabilitation counseling.   Over my time at the university I have had a number of different funding sources, including research assistantships, teaching assistantships and a graduate assistantship in student services.   Each have had their own nuances but have also been rewarding in different ways.  Email: mcclair@uiuc.edu

Melanie Marklein

I entered the program in 2005 (although it feels like yesterday!). I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Although I technically grew up in a small town nearby, I was born in Madison, WI and spent a great deal of time there so I refer to it as my hometown. My scholarly interests are in the consequences of sexual objectification and gender oppression for women, particularly eating disorders and sexual violence. I am interested in the social construction of masculinity and femininity and how it contributes to rape culture and eating disorders. My goal is to combine my Counseling Psychology degree with a graduate minor in Gender and Women’s Studies so that I can develop a strong foundation in feminist therapy. Consistent with my interests, my professional activities include membership in Division 35 (Society for the Psychology of Women) of the American Psychological Association, being the Eating Disorders Graduate Assistant at the UIUC Counseling Center, and volunteering as a crisis counselor and medical advocate for Rape Crisis Services. In my “free” time I enjoy wining and dining with my partner, watching movies, practicing yoga, and playing with my cat, Homer, and dog, Maya.   Email: mmarkle2@uiuc.edu

Jennifer Mayfield

I completed my undergraduate studies at Xavier University of Louisiana in the vibrant city of New Orleans, LA.  However, New Orleans is a long distance away from my hometown in Chicago, IL, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree closer to my family and childhood friends. 

Currently, my primary research interests focus upon the mental health needs of Latina breast cancer survivors in the United States.  My interest in women’s health issues developed after working closely with a women’s health community organization in Oaxaca, Mexico during the summer after my junior year in undergrad.  

Within the counseling program, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to be the primary instructor of an undergraduate course, Career Theory and Practice, in order to develop my skills as an educator.  I have also greatly enjoyed the applied clinical training I have received in the program at the following locations: UIUC Counseling Center, Danville Veterans Administration Hospital in Danville, IL, and the UIUC Career Center.  Email: jmayfie2@uiuc.edu

Jeri Newlin

I entered the counseling psychology program in August 2005, after getting my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology here at UIUC.  I have lived in central Illinois since 1994 and decided to go back to school and complete my undergraduate degree after 20 years out of college. 

I am a single mother to a 17 year old son named Dakota and a 10 year old Maltese named Teddy.  I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where I worked as a Radar Repair tech.  I enjoy reading, anything near the water, movies, and all kinds of music.

In my graduate career thus far, I have taught at least one class for 5 semesters but am changing direction and will be working as the Therapeutic Services Assistant at the Counseling Center for my continuing funding.  I love teaching, but it is time for a change of pace!  My beginning practicum was at the Mental Health Unit at McKinley Health Center and I am looking forward to my upcoming practicum at the VA Hospital in Danville!  I’m sure I will have quite the variety of clinical experiences at that location. 

My research interests center around bullying, aggression and I will soon be moving into the area of masculinity, men’s emotional issues due to restricted emotionality and gender roles.  Email: jnewlin@uiuc.edu

Mrinalini Rao

I entered the counseling psychology program in the fall of 2006, with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Pune, India. I am broadly interested in issues of human development and multicultural counseling in the context of large-scale cultural changes such as globalization and immigration. Within this framework I am interested in identity development and the management of multiple identities, gender and gender-roles, family socialization and interactions, among other things. I am currently interested in positive youth development in general and resiliency building in particular.

I grew up in Pune, India where I lived and studied until I came to the United States to join this program. In India where I worked primarily with under-privileged children and women. My clinical training in the doctoral program involved working with college-students with a wide range of presenting concerns at the Counseling Center and the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois. I also am receiving training at Carle Clinic working with children and adolescents. My training includes individual therapy, group therapy as well as clinical assessment.

I receive my funding through Graduate Assistantships, one with the Counseling Center conducting international student outreach work and another with the Counseling Psychology Program. I previously was funded through the Illinois Distinguished Fellowship from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am also an APAGS affiliate of the American Psychological Association.  Email: marao2@uiuc.edu

Tamilia Reed

I joined the Counseling Psychology program at UIUC in Fall 2007. Prior to beginning graduate school, I worked for three years in student affairs. After graduating from The University of Chicago in 2004 with degrees in Psychology and Human Development, I wanted very much to give back to the students at my institution and getting a job in student affairs seemed like a quality way to accomplish that goal. In addition to creating a great informal counseling opportunity for me, it gave me more time to explore graduate school options and encourage others to do the same.

During my college years and my time in the work world, I developed a deep interest in psychological well-being, specifically its formation and maintenance. My graduate research focuses on how racial identity, gender identity, and spirituality impact psychological well-being. I am working with Dr. Helen Neville to explore this broad topic further and outline the details of my research agenda. Email: tdreed2@uiuc.edu.

Jeanette Reinhardt 

I entered the Counseling Psychology Program in Fall 2002. I obtained my Master’s Degree in Psychology in Frankfurt/Main Germany. My Master’s Thesis was on implicit/explicit memory and reenactment effects in human performances. Between earning my master’s degree and beginning at UIUC, I worked for psychologists and psychiatrists in the field of Forensic Psychology. We did evaluation on child custody cases (neglect and molestation cases) and evaluations on individuals who were incarcerated. During my work, I have learned a lot about human motifs that was not taught at the University. I also worked for the 5th largest executive firm worldwide where I did executive search for companies such as ABB and Siemens. My study and my work have encouraged me to pursue psychology further and to enroll in the doctoral program.

My research addresses attitudes, beliefs, and behavior that lead to risk-taking behavior among firefighters. I work as a volunteer Emergency Service Support Officer for the Champaign Fire Department and I assist people in the community who have lost their homes through fires or who have lost family members due to accidents, homicides, or suicides. With my work, I hope to model for other students how a working alliance between the community (Fire Department) and the Counseling Program can be developed. Further, I am a debriefing counselor for the Critical Incident Stress Management Team and we provide service for firefighters in Central Illinois.

For the past three years, I have been working as a Graduate Assistant for the Faculty/Staff Assistance program at the University. I provide counseling for employees for emotional, personal, substance abuse, and financial concerns.

I am an APAGS affiliate of the APA Division 17. My practicum experiences were at McKinley Health Center, Mental Health Center of Champaign, and Disability Services at the University. The program has helped me to hone my interests in research and counseling and my work for the fire department has sparked my interests for trauma research and trauma counseling.

I enjoy music and dance Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata. I am passionate about life and my work and I hope to inspire others students as I was inspired by my role models.  Email: rnhrdtkl@uiuc.edu

Zully A. Rivera-Ramos

I entered the Counseling Psychology Program in Fall 2005 after obtaining my Bachelor degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.  I am originally from Aguada, a small town in the West coast of Puerto Rico where I grew up with my parents and a younger brother.  I also have a little sister who was my practice now that I am a proud mother of a beautiful daughter.  My husband and I enjoy spending time with our daughter, who keeps us “down to earth” from the academic demands.

Given my Latino background I feel strongly committed with contributing to this community and other underrepresented groups.  My major research interests include sexual minority (e.g., gay men) and gender (e.g., masculinity) issues among Latinos.  I am also interested in health-related concerns with Latinos in the U.S. and have participated in several outreach activities to promote their health.  Moreover, I  have provided therapy to Spanish speaking clients at Frances Nelson Health Center (a community agency serving low income people) in 2007.  Email: riverara@uiuc.edu

Jason R. Soble 

I entered the Counseling Psychology program in fall 2006 right after obtaining my Bachelors of Science in Psychology with Bronze Tablet Distinction from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am originally from Chicago, IL.

Much of my passion and energy in this program has been in my clinical work and training.  Throughout my time in this program, I have had the privilege of being employed as a graduate assistant at the Alcohol and Other Drug Office where I conduct substance abuse assessments as well as engage in individual and group psychotherapy. In terms of my other clinical experiences, I have completed practicum experiences at both the Mental Health Unit of McKinley Health Center as well as in the Neuropsychology Assessment Division at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs-VA Illiana Healthcare System in Danville. My current practicum experience has me involved with psychological testing and group psychotherapy with children and adolescents in an outpatient medical setting. My broad clinical interests generally fall within the domains of (1) psychological testing/assessment and (2) working from an empirically supported treatment framework with patients experiencing severe psychopathology or who present with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. 
 
My research interests that have developed throughout my time in this program have been somewhat varied. More recently, my dissertation research project stems form my clinical work in the Neuropsychology Clinic at the Danville VA Medical Center, and seeks to examine the neuropsychological functioning of OEF/OIF combat veterans with PTSD and comorbid traumatic brain injuries. In my other area of research, I have worked closely with my advisor, Dr. Lisa Spanierman, in examining some of the psychosocial costs of racism for Whites, eliciting attitude change, as well as practical implications of this work for the field of counseling psychology. 

In my free time, I enjoy running, watching movies, traveling back home to Chicago, and finding new ways to have fun and enjoy life in graduate school.  Email: soble@uiuc.edu

Jo-Tzu Sun 

I entered the Counseling Psychology Program in Fall 2005, right after obtaining my master’s degree from Columbia University.  I am originally from Taiwan and have received a B.A. in social work before coming to the States.  My research investigates the relationship among Holland’s categories of vocational interests, Big Five dimensions of personality, and major life goals.  Practice-wise, most of my clinical experiences concern with providing psychotherapy to patients with DSM IV diagnoses in psychiatric wards, including my full-time job and/or practicum experiences in Mount Sinai Hospital (NYC), Taipei Municipal Hoping Hospital (Taiwan), and National Taiwan University Hospital. My community counseling experiences include services in the Educational and Psychological Service in the City of New York, and the Youth Counseling Organization in Taipei, Taiwan.  After entering this program at U of I, I have also expanded my services to the counseling and rehabilitation centers in the university setting. 

I have been teaching as an instructor in the University for more than one year and have obtained my Graduate Teaching Certificate.  Teaching is a challenging yet rewarding experience, and I develop my interest in teaching while I am doing it. 

In my leisure time, I enjoy traveling around the world, culinary art, and mingling with animals.  Currently I have a foster license of animals in the state of Illinois, and sometimes help to walk dogs in shelters.  Email: jsun4@uiuc.edu

Maria Valgoi

I joined the doctoral community in fall of 2009. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit is an awesome place to grow up contrary to what I recently heard on a local Champaign-Urbana radio station. I attended Wayne State University (Detroit) for my bachelor's degree. I have a double degree in Psychology and Africana Studies. I am interested in Anti racism work and Whiteness. I am excited to work with Dr. Lisa Spanierman. I am currently working on publishing a book of poetry focusing on growing up white in a non-white neighborhood.

In undergrad I focused on looking at the attempt's at interracial coalition during the Civil rights/black power movements, how this worked out, and how can we, in the present, learn from it. I also conducted a series of interviews with self proclaimed white liberals about the historic 2008 election. I was looking at racial factors in their voting and their overall levels of racial awareness.  

My free time is guzzled by my lovable and adorable 5 year old son, Jaden, He decides what we do, so my free time ultimately ends up consisting of Ninja turtles, Ghostbusters, Scooby-Doo, or bike rides.

Aaron Weiner

I entered the Counseling Psychology Program at UIUC in the Fall of 2007, with a bachelors degree in Psychology from Iowa State Univeristy.  My undgergraduate research focused on cognitive psychology, in partciular, researching whether I could replicate the visual attentional blink phenomenon in an aural modality (I couldn't).  After arriving at Illinois, I've moved my research in a different direction: the psychological dynamics of long-distance friendship.  My current projects include whether individuals receive the same amount of social support from their long-distance friends as they do from their geographically close ones, and what are the best predictors of friendship deterioration over distance and time.

Clinically, I spent last year working with the Alcohol and Other Drug Office conducting alcohol assessements and teaching alcohol education classes.  I will start my beginning practicum at the University Counseling Center this Fall.

In my free time, I like to lift weights, compose/record/sing music, read books, and watch SportsCenter.  Ultimate Frisbee is my sport of choice, and badminton is a good time too, although I haven't managed to play lately.  I'm also an avid Cubs fan (this is the year!), so make sure not to run into me if you are partial to the Cardinals (boo!). Email: weiner3@illinois.edu

Valene A. Whittaker

Prior to entering the counseling psychology program in the fall of 2005, I obtained a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology in 2002, as well as a Masters degree in Psychological Services in 2003 from the University of Pennsylvania.  I am originally from Baltimore, Maryland (“The Greatest City in America!”), and after living as a student in Philadelphia for five years I returned to my hometown, where I worked as a research assistant and clinician at the University of Maryland and the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 

My research focuses on the relation between Black racial identity attitudes and strength-based outcomes, including psychological well-being and sociopolitical development in young adults of African descent.  Broadly, I am also interested in research relating to multicultural counseling competency, racism, positive psychology, and Black Liberation Psychology.  Outside of the program, I am pursuing a graduate minor in African American Studies.  

My clinical interests center on the provision of therapeutic and outreach services to individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.  I have completed practicum placements at the Mental Health Center of Champaign, McKinley Health Center’s Mental Health Unit, the Psychological Services Center, and the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES).  I am currently the graduate assistant for the university’s Faculty/Staff Assistance Program, where I provide counseling and referral services to employees and retirees of the university, as well as their family members. 

When I can get away, I love taking any opportunity I can to travel.  I also enjoy watching movies, karaoke, shopping (on my limited grad student budget!), and attending local performing arts events.  Email: vwhitta2@uiuc.edu