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. 

I have a range of research interests.  In my master’s program my research focused on multicultural assessment, but since entering this program my work has shifted to examining the racial attitudes of Whites.  In Spring 2010, I defended my early research project titled “Psychosocial Costs of Racism to Whites: Examining Gender Differences in Types” with my former advisor, Dr. Lisa Spanierman.  Currently, I’m working on my dissertation under the guidance of my advisor, Dr. Dorothy Espelage.   My dissertation focuses on LGB youth’s risky sexual behaviors and moderating factors such as substance use, mental health, and parental support. 

I have greatly enjoyed my clinical experiences here at Illinois.  I completed my first advanced practicum at the McKinley Health Center Mental Health Unit, and I currently am completing my second advanced practicum at the Counseling Center.  I held two teaching assistantships: EPSY 202: Exploring Cultural Diversity and EPSY 420: Theories of Psychotherapy.  I also am the instructor of EPSY 490A: Introduction to Recruitment Counseling and EPSY 420A, the online version of Theories of Psychotherapy.  The students are great, and it has been very rewarding working with students in each of these capacities.  Additionally, I hold two graduate assistantships at the Counseling Center.  In one position I provide outreach about LGBT issues to the campus community, and in the other I help coordinate clinical services that the Counseling Center provides.  All of my practicum and assistantship experiences have been gratifying and have done a great job preparing me for pre-doctoral internship, which I currently am applying for.

In my spare time, I enjoy visiting friends, traveling, watching college basketball, watching movies, trying new food, and spending time with loved ones.  I also enjoy playing fantasy football and have won the league I’m in the past two years!  Email: jcbeard@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

Lisa De La Rue

I entered the counseling psychology program in 2010 after completing my master’s degree in psychology at California State University Sacramento. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA and am a devoted Sharks fan!

My research interests include youth aggression, delinquency and gang involvement, with an emphasis on how these issues impact young women. I am interested in exploring how schools can empower their students, and how they can encourage young girls to engage in the educational process. I am also working with my advisor, Dr. Dorothy Espelage, on a randomized clinical trial of a social emotional learning program in 36 middle schools.

In my free time I enjoying running, cooking and whenever possible traveling to see my family.  Email: lisadelarue@gmail.com 

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

Carol Fonseca

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and received my M.S. at the University of Illinois. Also, I received my B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso.  As a Latina from a border-town and a first generation college student, my adaptation to graduate school in the Midwest was challenging, yet offered me the opportunity to grow as an individual and develop my professional goals.

I am a fifth year student in the program, and my research advisor is Dr. Laura McCloskey from Community Health, and Dr. Lydia Buki (Community Health) is my academic advisor. My research and clinical interests focus on underserved populations, such as ethnic and sexual minorities, particularly Latino/as and the LGBT community. Within those populations, I aim to explore family or intimate partner violence issues. I have participated in practicums at the U of I Counseling Center and community mental health centers. In addition, I taught a cultural diversity discussion section for two years and have had an assistantship with the McKinley Special Populations health education program for two years.   Email: cfonseca@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 

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

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

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 entered the Counseling Psychology program at UIUC in Fall 2007 after graduating from The University of Chicago in 2004 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Human Development. During the three years between my undergraduate education and entering graduate school, I worked in student affairs offering support services to the University of Chicago’s student of color community in the now Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. During my college years and my time in the working world, I became deeply interested in learning more about what helps individuals to establish and maintain psychological wellness, especially in the face of social justice ills such as marginalization and oppression. Following a thorough literature review and many consultations with my advisor, Dr. Helen A. Neville, my Master’s thesis project emerged. Specifically, my research addressed the influences of religiosity and spirituality on the psychological well-being of Black women. My dissertation will explore a set of related research questions with a sample of religiously marginalized women.

With regard to clinical work, my practicum experiences have included the UIUC Counseling Center and the McKinley Health Center Mental Health Unit. I work primarily from an Existential-Humanistic orientation with some Gestalt influences all nestled within a multicultural framework. The breadth and depth of the training I have received here allow me to integrate my preferred orientation with other therapeutic approaches (e.g., Cognitive Behavior Therapy) where necessary in order to meet my clients where they are in the moment and provide multiculturally appropriate and effective support.

In addition to conducting research and offering clinical services, I also teach undergraduate students. I enjoy cultivating their learning and facilitating self-exploration. For instance, as an instructor for Career Theory and Practice (EPSY 220), I was able to aid dozens of students in the major and career exploration process by helping them to uncover their interests, skills, and values as they relate to the world of work. Furthermore, I often chose to teach courses that have the potential to help students understand and critique systems of power, privilege, and oppression. To that end, I have served as a graduate teaching assistant for Introduction to American Indian Studies (AIS 101), Contemporary Issues in Indian Country (AIS 102), and Exploring Cultural Diversity (EPSY 202).

When I am not busy being a graduate student, I am updating my personal blog, engaging in religio-spiritual activities, and spending time with good friends. Email: tdreed2@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 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.

While my training in the program has been fairly well-rounded, much of my passion and energy has been dedicated to my clinical training.  I completed my beginning practicum experience in McKinley Health Center’s Mental Health Unit and my first advanced practicum placement in the Neuropsychology Assessment Clinic at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs-VA Illiana Healthcare System in Danville, IL. For my current advanced practicum placement in the Psychology/Psychiatry Department at Carle Physician Group, I conduct psychological/neuropsychological evaluations with children, adolescents, and adults. In addition to my practicum placements, I have served as a graduate assistant at the Alcohol and Other Drug Office for four years. Here, I conduct substance abuse assessments as well as facilitate individual/group psychotherapy and psychoeducational outreach activities in the campus community. My broad clinical interests generally fall within the domains of (1) neuropsychological and psychological assessment and (2) working from an empirically supported treatment framework with patients experiencing severe psychopathology or who present with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses.

In addition to my clinical work, I also have had the opportunity to further develop and refine my skills as an instructor by serving as a teaching assistant for several undergraduate and graduate courses including EPSY 202 and EPSY 420, as well as by earning my Graduate Teaching Certificate from the Center for Teaching Excellence. 

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 a comorbid mild traumatic brain injury. In my other area of research, I have worked closely with my advisor, Dr. Lisa Spanierman, in examining the psychosocial costs of racism for Whites, 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

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 University.  My undergraduate research focused on cognitive psychology, in particular, 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 Master's Thesis focused on whether individuals receive the same amount of social support from their long-distance friends as they do from their geographically close ones, and my currently-ongoing dissertation project is a longitudinal study examining how geographically-close friendships change after they become long-distance, and whether any factors (such as personality facets or levels/modalities of communication) affect these changes.

Clinically, I have spent time in the past working with the University of Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Office, the University of Illinois Counseling Center, and the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Danville, Illinois.  I am currently working at the University of Illinois Disability Resource and Education Center (DRES) performing intelligence and neuropsychological assessments, as well as providing individual and group therapy.

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 practica placements at the Mental Health Center of Champaign, McKinley Health Center’s Mental Health Unit, the Psychological Services Center, the VA Illiana Health Care System, 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