School Psychology - Current Students

Parker Levins is a 5th year school psychology student under Dr. Long’s mentorship. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Auburn University and her M.A. in Psychology from Louisiana State University. Regarding research, Parker is interested in how caregivers/educators make decisions, as well as how the research-to-practice gap within psychology can be mitigated (i.e., how evidence-based practices can be more widely utilized by caregivers and educators). Parker is also interested in educational policy as it relates to child well-being, as well as suicide prevention efforts for young students. Outside of school, Parker enjoys cooking, exploring new restaurants around town, and hanging out with friends.

 

 

 

Oceann Gittens is a 5th-year school psychology student on Dr. Anna Long's team. She received her master's in Clinical Psychology and is currently on internship with the Greeley-Evans School District in Greeley, Colorado. Her clinical and research interests are promoting equity in school mental health for both students and educators. Her dissertation evaluated a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on educator well-being. Outside of the program, Oceann loves adventuring (e.g., hiking, kayaking, traveling) as much as she loves being cozy at home with her Husband and their two pets.

 

 

Mary Snellings Inabnett is a 4th year school psychology student on Dr. Long’s team. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Tulane University in 2020. Prior to enrolling at LSU, Mary Snellings completed an AmeriCorps fellowship with Saga Education, providing an in-school math intervention to students in Chicago. Her research interests include promoting education equity, implementing trauma-informed practices, and promoting teacher well-being. Outside of school, she enjoys exercising, reading, and traveling.

 

Kristen Newell is a 4th year school psychology student on Dr. Donaldson’s team. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University and her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida State University. Kristen has provided behavior analytic services in clinical, school, and home settings since 2018. Her current research interest involves the role of reading interventions in increasing active student responding in elementary school classrooms. Additionally, Kristen is interested in parent training to reduce problem behavior in young children. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, cooking, exercising, and reading.

 

 

 

Ar'Reon Watson (he/him) is a Doctoral Candidate in the School Psychology program, with Dr. Anna Long as his major advisor. He is also a recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Ar'Reon earned his B.A. in Psychology with high honors and departmental distinction from Kenyon College in 2018. Prior to attending LSU, he worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Children’s National in Washington, DC, and later as a Research Specialist at the Early Childhood Innovation Network. In these roles, he supported research and evaluation of clinical trials and preventive interventions to promote the well-being of families with young children in under-resourced neighborhoods. His research focuses on how cultural and contextual factors (e.g., racial socialization, school climate) across multiple ecological contexts (e.g., home, school, community) shape social-emotional and behavioral outcomes among young Black children. In his free time, Ar'Reon enjoys running, beach volleyball, spending time with his cats, exploring new restaurants, and watching reality game shows (Survivor, Big Brother, and The Challenge).

 

 

 

Meagan Zeitvogel Plant (she/her) is a fourth-year doctoral student in school psychology, working as part of Dr. Clark’s research team. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Alabama in 2020. Meagan’s research focuses on promoting equitable access to education, advocating for socially just policies and practices, and enhancing school climate and student engagement. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband, experimenting with new recipes, reading, and taking spontaneous weekend adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Linton is a 4th year school psychology student on Dr. Donaldson's team. She earned her B.S. in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from the University of Florida in 2020. Elizabeth has worked as a Registered Behavior Technician in the clinic, home, and school setting. Her research interests include the assessment and reduction of dangerous problem behavior on the playground, as well as preference assessments for both student and teacher. Outside of school, she likes eating at new restaurants, walking nearby nature trails, talking about her cats, and rewatching her favorite sitcoms.

 

 

 

 

Grace Blyth is a 4th year in the School Psychology doctoral program under Dr. Kelly Clark's advisement. She graduated from the University of South Florida Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Psychology, as well as Criminology. Grace has provided psychoeducational assessments at a variety of clinic and school-based practicum sites in the state of Louisiana. Her research interests focus on student mental health and perfectionism as well as improving student well-being and engagement. In her free time she enjoys watching reality shows, doing yoga, and spending time with her puppy and partner.

 

 

 

 

Kyle Wilson is a 3rd year school psychologist student in the SWELL Lab. Prior to attending LSU, Kyle served as a Master Resiliency Trainer in his years in the Air Force, and worked as a Research Assistant at Florida International University's Summer Treatment Program. Kyle's research interests are in systems-level promotion of student engagement and connectedness. Outside of school, Kyle enjoys watching baseball, reading, trying out the local flares with his wife, and playing with his two dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julianne Hymel is a 3rd year school psychology student on Dr. Long's team. Before joining LSU, she received her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from TCU in 2022. Prior to grad school, Julianne spent her time as a grief support group facilitator for young teens and as a research assistant exploring contributors to mental health symptoms among children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. Her current research is primarily focused on the implementation of culturally responsive teaching practices and its positive effects on student outcomes. Outside of school, Julianne enjoys trying out new recipes in the kitchen, going dancing, and of course cheering on the LSU Tigers.

 

 

 

 

Leila Fitt (she/her) is a 2nd year school psychology student on Dr. Choe's team. She received her undergraduate degree in Human Development from Howard University. After working in evidence-based drug and alcohol prevention and at the US Department of Education, Leila became a Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher. Her research interests include parental involvement as it relates to academic achievement and self-efficacy. She is also interested in the relationships and dynamics of neurodiverse families. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her friends.

 

 

 

 

Gabriela Gomes (she/her) is a 2nd year School Psychology student on Dr. Donaldson's team. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in 2021, and her master's of science in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Miami in 2023. Her research interests include identifying early behavior intervention methods that will better improve the quality of life and preschool readiness for children with developmental disabilities. She also finds interest in identifying factors that influence parental and teacher adherence to treatment. Out of school, she enjoys painting, drawing or doing anything that involves crafting! She also loves summertime and spending time outside.

 

 

 

 

Abbie Johnson (she/her) is a 2nd year school psychology student on Dr. Donaldson's team. She earned her B.S. from Texas Christian University in 2020 and her M.A. from Columbia University, Teachers College in 2023. Abbie has worked as a Registered Behavior Technician in a clinical and home setting and as a teaching assistant in an elementary school setting. Her research interest includes verbal behavior, classroom management, and academic performance for children and classrooms with developmental disabilities.

 

 

 

 

 

Felicia McGill (she/her) is a 2nd year student on Dr. Shawn Gilroy's team. She received her Bachelor's in Mathematics and Spanish from the University of South Carolina in 2022. Prior to LSU, Felicia worked as a Registered Behavior Technician and a math instructor. Her research interests include understanding language and communication in minimally speaking individuals with autism as well as racial disparities in the diagnostic process. Outside of school, Felicia enjoys playing piano, reading, and drinking boba tea.

 

 

 

 

 

Kita Adams is a 2nd year psychology student on Dr. Long’s team. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with minors in Spanish and Africana Studies from NC State University in 2021. Prior to attending LSU, Kita served as an AmeriCorps member working with the NC State College Advising Corps to provide postsecondary education access and advising to high school students from rural, low socioeconomic backgrounds. Her current research interests include designing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral interventions in schools with students who display problem behaviors using a cultural-ecological framework. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, live music, going on nature walks, and spending time with friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delaney Havrylkoff is a 2nd year student in the CRISP Lab. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from LSU, while working as a Supplemental Instruction Leader and undergrad RA. Prior to starting LSU's School Psychology Ph.D. program, Delaney worked as a research associate for the CRISP Lab assisting Dr. Long and her students with their research projects. Currently, she is broadly interested in teachers' discipline practices, as well as help-seeking in an academic context. During her free time, she enjoys taking her dog to the park and roller skating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alva Allen is a 2nd year graduate student on Dr. Morris' team. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2021. Her research interests include assessing variables influencing social preference and decision-making and examining applications of quantitative models in applied settings. Outside of school, Alva likes to bake, read, play video games, try new restaurants, and spend time with friends and family.

 

 

 

 

 

Pierce Taylor (he/him) is a 2nd year graduate student in the Morris Behavior Analysis Lab. He completed a B.S. in Psychology from the University of West Florida in 2020 and a M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science from Rollins College in 2023. His research interests include the acquisition of complex verbal behavior and applications of quantitative methods in applied settings. In his free time, he likes to play video games, bake, and play with his dog.

 

 

 

 

 

Md. Omar Faruk is a Clinical Psychologist from Bangladesh currently pursuing a Ph.D. in School Psychology under the guidance of Dr. Anna Long. He holds a B.S. in Psychology (2015), an M.S. (2017), and an M.Phil. (2022), all from the University of Dhaka. With over 5 years of clinical experience, he specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy to treat mental health issues affecting both adults and children. In addition to his clinical practice, he is an active researcher in social psychology. His research focuses on reducing prejudice based on race and gender, as well as the stigma surrounding mental illness among indigenous populations in school settings. He is also interested in refugee mental health and exploring ways to bridge the gap between host communities and refugees in terms of mental health interventions. Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys exploring the world through travel, crafting short stories, and indulging in literature, cinema, and music.

 

 

 

Kelsey Keen (she/her) is a 1st year school psychology student on Dr. Gilroy's team. She earned her bachelors of science in psychology at West Virginia University in 2022. Before LSU, she worked at the Center for Autism Research at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Her interests include the assessment of autism, specifically in toddlers and pre-school age children. She is also interested in behavioral and communication interventions for children with autism or other neurodevelopmental differences. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, traveling, and trying new restaurants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yuxin Yu (she/her) is a 1st year school psychology student on Dr. Choe’s team. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics from Peking University. Her research interests include investigating the role of interpersonal factors in the development of East Asian adolescents’ social anxiety. Further, she is interested in developing evidence-based interventions tailored to East Asian adolescents. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, photography, playing tennis, and writing short stories.

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment to Diversity

We encourage applications from individuals with diverse racial, ethnic, and/or cultural backgrounds. Baton Rouge is a racially diverse city and our work in the greater Baton Rouge community allows us to provide clinical services to and conduct research with racially diverse individuals in our community. We take great pride in this diversity. Furthermore, our program is deeply committed to fostering a learning environment that supports cultural and individual differences and diversity. Additionally, “Diversity is fundamental to LSU's mission and the University is committed to creating and maintaining a living and learning environment that embraces individual difference. Cultural inclusion is of highest priority” (see entire LSU Diversity Statement)