School Psychology - Current Students

River Waits is a 6th year school psychology student on Dr. Gilroy's team. They received their undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of New Orleans in 2018. Prior to enrolling at LSU, Jo has worked in research labs involving children with behavioral, social, and intellectual disabilities, which has influenced their research interests today. Their 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 their spare time, Jo enjoys cooking, playing volleyball, drawing, and any craftwork such as embroidery.

 

 

 

 

Grace Chen is a 6th 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.

 

 

 

Cassie Feck is a 5th 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 (she/her) is a 5th year school psychology student on Dr. Donaldson's team. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in 2019 and her master's degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in 2021. She is currently completing her predoctoral internship in behavioral pediatrics and integrated care at the Munroe-Meyer Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. Her research interests include assessing and reducing challenging behavior in young children and examining ways to reduce barriers to behavioral and mental healthcare. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and trying new coffee shops!

 

 

 

 

Alison Ruby is a 5th 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 4th 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 Stanley Gittens is a 4th 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 for a year, 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 and wellbeing for both students and educators. 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 dog, Hudson.

 

 

Mary Snellings Inabnett is a 3rd 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 3rd 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 3rd year School Psychology Ph.D. student on Dr. Anna Long's team. Ar'Reon is also National Science Foundation Research Fellow. He received his B.A. with high honors and distinction in Psychology with a concentration in Legal Studies from Kenyon College in 2018. Prior to arriving at LSU, he worked as a research specialist at the Early Childhood Innovation Network within Georgetown University, providing 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 (PI: Celene Domitrovich). His research interests are situated in understanding how cultural and contextual factors (e.g., gender and racial socialization) across multiple ecological contexts (e.g., school, community, and home settings) shape risk and resilience among Black children and families. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, meditating, interior designing, taking care of foster dogs, writing poetry, and running.

 

 

 

Meagan Zeitvogel Plant (she/her) is a 3rd year school psychology student on Dr. Clark’s team. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Alabama in 2020. Her research interests include equitable access to education, socially-just policy, and school climate and engagement. In her free time, Meagan enjoys cooking with her wonderful husband, taking impromptu weekend trips, and taking naps alongside her very old dog, Champ.

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Linton is a 3rd 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 3rd 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 gifted 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 2nd 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 2nd 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.

 

 

 

Michelle Do (she/they) is a 1st year school psychology student on Dr. Choe’s team and received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University (SFSU), along with minors in Counseling, Education, and Special Education. She has previously worked at the Global Classroom Lab at SFSU, where she provided social-emotional learning services to children in the Bay Area, as well as preschool students at Woosong University in Daejeon, South Korea while studying abroad during the summer in 2022. She has also worked at the Promoting Inclusivity in Computing Lab (PINC) at SFSU that focuses on supporting underrepresented college students in the STEM field and examining imposter syndrome, stereotype threat, and self-efficacy levels. Her research interests include implementing social-emotional learning, school-based mental health services, positive school climate, as well as examining risk and resilience factors and culturally responsive interventions when providing services to minority students. On her spare time, she enjoys weightlifting, traveling, cooking, and trying new food spots with friends and family.

 

 

 

Leila Fitt (she/her) is a 1st 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 1st 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 1st 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 1st 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 1st 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 1st 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 1st 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 first-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 quantitiatve methods in applied settings. In his free time, he likes to play video games, bake, and play with his dog.

 

 

 

 

 

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)