School Psychology Current Students
Sam Allouche is a fifth-year school psychology student in the Cultural Responsiveness and Implementation Science in Psychology (CRISP) lab under Dr. Long's supervision. She received her BS in Psychology, second major in French and MS in Behavioral Health from Tulane University in New Orleans. While in New Orleans, Sam pursued a yoga teacher certification, which she used in her work as Kipp New Orleans’ first yoga enrichment instructor. Sam's research interests include mental health help-seeking behavior of students and the implementation of culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices within school settings. In her free time, Sam enjoys attending live music shows, traveling, and hanging out with her one-eyed cat, Ricky Peach.
Jacob DeBoer is a fifth-year school psychology student on Dr. Gresham's team. He received his
undergraduate degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech and his master's of science
in School Psychology from Northeastern University. His research interests focus on
the improvement and expansion of school-based mental health services. Currently, Jacob
is completing his pre-doctoral internship at the Boys Town Behavioral Health Clinic
in Grand Island, NE (Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology).
Erica Lozy is a fifth-year school psychology student on Dr. Jeanne Donaldson's team. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Western New England University in 2015 and her M.A. in Human Services Psychology in the Behavior Analysis Track from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2017. While in Baltimore, she worked as a Clinical Specialist and Research Assistant on the Neurobehavioral Inpatient Unit at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research interests include the assessment and reduction of problematic behavior in young children and increasing academic fluency of early learner skills. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, painting, yoga, and working out.
Jennifer Vasquez is a fifth-year student on Dr. Long’s team. She received her undergraduate degree in environmental studies from Connecticut College and her Master of Arts from Columbia University-Teachers College in school/clinical psychology. Her current research interests include implementing culturally responsive behavioral supports in low-income schools. Prior to attending LSU, Jennifer worked at a neuropsychology clinic as an education coordinator and has had experience working as a special education classroom teacher. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her dog. She also enjoys traveling.
Madeline Blocker is a fourth-year student in the school psychology program on Dr. Kelly Clark's team. She received her master's degree in psychology in 2020 from Louisiana State University under the supervision of Dr. George Noell. Her research interests include enhancing students' access to behavioral and mental health services and factors supporting student and teacher well-being (e.g., school climate). In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, cooking, and reading.
Grace Chen is a fourth-year student in the school psychology program on Dr. Long’s team. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's in Psychology, as well as a Masters in Elementary Education. Prior to arriving at LSU, she spent time as an elementary school teacher and was a research assistant studying peer aggression and bullying in academic settings. Her research interests include early identification and intervention, parental mental health help-seeking, and supporting immigrant and culturally and linguistically diverse families. Outside of her studies, Grace enjoys rock climbing, making ice cream, and playing sports.
Jessie Munson is a fourth-year student on Dr. Long's team. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Painting and her Master of Science in Behavioral Health Psychology from Tulane University. Prior to attending LSU, Jessie worked as a care coordinator for a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation program. Her research interests include school-based mental health services and suicide prevention, particularly for culturally and linguistically diverse students. In her free time, Jessie enjoys painting, sewing, rock-climbing, and cooking with her husband.
Jodie Waits is a fourth-year school psychology student on Dr. Gilroy's team. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of New Orleans in 2018. Prior to enrolling at LSU, Jodie has worked in research labs involving children with behavioral, social, and intellectual disabilities, which has influenced her research interests today. Her work focuses on diversity-related issues in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, including the development of communication interventions for bilingual children with autism. In her spare time, Jodie enjoys cooking, playing volleyball, drawing, and any craftwork such as embroidery.
Sarah Holmes is a fourth-year student in Dr. Jeanne Donaldson's Applied Behavior Analysis Lab.
She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in
2018 and her master's degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in 2020.
Her research interests include evaluating health-related behavioral interventions
and assessing patient, provider, and caregiver preference for those interventions.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking Cajun food, and
watching LSU football and gymnastics. Geaux Tigers!
Cassie Feck is a third-year school psychology student on Dr. Gilroy's team. She received her
undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2016, and her
master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University of Montgomery in 2018.
Her research interests include parent-implemented interventions and social skills
interventions of children with Autism. Outside of school, she enjoys working out,
spending time with friends, and traveling.
Jensen Chotto is a third-year school psychology student on Dr. Jeanne Donaldson's team. She received
her B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University in 2019.. Her research interests
include the assessment and reduction of problem behavior in young children, parent
involvement in interventions, and increasing compliance on basic healthcare routines
for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Outside of school,
she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and visiting friends and family.
Alison Ruby is a third-year school psychology student on Dr. Donaldson's team. She received her
B.S. from the University of Florida in 2016 and her M.A. from the University of North
Carolina Wilmington in 2018 under the supervision of Carole Van Camp, PhD., BCBA-D.
She interned at the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health in the Severe Behavior
Program. Her research interests include preference assessments, such as client and
caregiver preference for treatment procedures, self-monitoring procedures, and bridging
the gaps between behavior analysis and other fields to extend the reach of behavior
analysis.
Parker Levins is a second-year school psychology student on Dr. Gilroy's team. After receiving
her B.A. in Psychology from Auburn University, Parker is now interested in utilizing
behavioral economics to evaluate caregiver/educator decision-making. She is also interested
in the research-to-practice gap existent within psychology (i.e. how evidenced based
practices can be more widely accepted and utilized by educators and caregivers). Outside
of school, Parker enjoys cooking, venturing to new restaurants, and spending quality
time with friends.
Oceann Stanley is a second-year school psychology student on Dr. Anna Long's team. She received
her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington
in 2015 and her master's of arts in Clinical Psychology from Western Carolina University
in 2018. After working in a school-based mental health practicum, she oversaw projects
relating to how children learn in the Cognitive Development Lab at Carnegie Mellon
University. Her current research interests are in promoting equity in school mental
health through MTSS. Outside of the program, she enjoys traveling, visiting new breweries,
practicing yoga, and going on hikes with her husband and their puppy, Hudson.
Mary Snellings Inabnett is a first-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 in-school Algebra
and Geometry tutoring to students in Chicago. Her research interests include implementing
trauma-informed practices and promoting education equity. Outside of school, she enjoys
exercising, cooking, and reading.
Gabrielle McKinnell is a first-year school psychology student on Dr. Gilroy's team. She received her
undergraduate degree in psychology and human development and family studies from Auburn
University in 2020. During her time at Auburn, she served as the president of a national
mental health organization. She also worked in multiple laboratories relating to the
field of psychology. Outside of school she enjoys walking outdoors, spending time
with friends, shopping, and trying new food in the area.
Kristen Newell is a first-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 research interests include
finding effective ways to teach nonverbal social skills and increasing independence
in activities of daily living for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Outside of school, Kristen enjoys spending time with her friends and family, cooking,
exercising, and reading.
Ar'Reon Watson (he, him, his) is a first-year School Psychology Ph.D. student under Dr. Anna Long's
mentorship. He received his B.A. with high honors in Psychology with a concentration
in Legal Studies from Kenyon College in 2018. Prior to arriving at LSU, he provided
research and evaluation support for a federally funded place-based prevention program
designed to promote the well-being of families with young children in under-resourced
neighborhoods in Washington, DC. Broadly, his research interests include equitable
and culturally responsive approaches to the implementation and evaluation of school-based
interventions, as well as understanding how cultural and contextual factors impact
students’ well-being in school-settings, particularly among low income and racially
minoritized students. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, meditating, interior designing,
writing poetry, and running.
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)