With a foundation built on a career in the helping field, my experiences in the U.S. Coast Guard have cultivated the essential qualities necessary for becoming an effective clinical psychologist. As a lifelong learner, I have come to recognize the interplay between these key components and their significance in my journey. Beginning my journey as a lifelong learner, identifying the qualities needed and understanding the overlapping of many key components. Which now, I understand that many of us in the military during DADT, identifying as a minority, and endured as a woman, this is exactly what critical psychology challenges.
Driven by passion and dedication, I am committed to immersing myself in research, gaining clinical experience with diverse populations, and forging a robust network within academia and professional organizations. My ultimate aim is to advocate for and heal underserved communities in a mental health setting. I aspire to foster change in research by ensuring that studies accurately represent our diverse population and the challenges we face, rather than perpetuating the mainstream psychology’s oversight of our evolving identities. In a counseling context, I recognize that no single theoretical orientation or treatment plan can suit everyone. I firmly believe in the power of collaboration, whether it be with my future multidisciplinary team or in goal-setting with my clients. Flexibility, cultural competence, communication, and the application of developed skills are all crucial to success.
A true leader not only possesses expertise in theories and evidence-based practices, but also has a responsibility to nurture those around them. After all, we all play a significant role in promoting mental and physical well-being for everyone. As a professional, my ambition is to serve in a community mental health care setting, leading a multidisciplinary team and contributing to published research on attachment theory, critical theory, and study replication. Ultimately, I envision myself sharing my knowledge and experience by teaching in academia.
Work & Research related Experiences
- Interdisciplinary Teams within Correctional Institutions and the Ethical Role of Psychologists, February 2023 [View]
- Brown bag style talk – Addictive substance abuse, February 2023 [View]
- Community Mental Health, December 2022 [View]
- The Role of Attachment and Shame in Relationship Dynamics of Lesbian Couples, November 2022 [View]
- Cognitive & Academic Assessments, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV) Results Report, October 2022 [View]
- Cognitive & Academic Assessments, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV) Summary Report, October 2022 [View]
- Faith-based Mental Health Promotion, September 2022 [View]
- PSY 494: Emerging Adults: Attachment and Caregiver Support in Forming Interpersonal Relationship [View]
- Behavior Modification Project – Summary Paper – December 2021 [View]
- Personality Theory, Research Paper, November 2021
- PSY 240, Feminist Research, October 2021 [View]
- Created Event Poster, Suicide Awareness Walk, October 18, 2021 [View]
- PSY 348, Social Media Engagement of Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender paper, April 2022 [View]
- MCU Mental Health Learning and Inclusion Student Organization, Constitution, FALL 2021 [View]
- MCU LGBTQ+ Student Organization Constitution, FALL 2021 [View]
- PSY 220, Research Methods for the Study of Behavior-The Negative Effects of Social Media Usage, September 8, 2021
- PSY 220, Human Lifespan-Emerging Adults, May 6, 2021 [View]
- PSY 370, RARP 2 Brochure, May 5, 2021
- PSY 370, RARP 2 Research Paper, May 5, 2021 [View]
- Abnormal Psychology, Bipolar Disorders, Research Paper, April 29, 2021
- Delta Epsilon Sigma, Invocation Speech, April 26, 2021 [View]
- MCU Chapter Psi Chi-Induction Ceremony Script, April 21, 2021 [View]
- LGBTQ+ Beach Clean Up Event, March 19, 2021 [View]
- APISA Event Speaker (Speech) Model Minority Myth, March 11, 2021 [View]
- APISA Event (PowerPoint) Model Minority Myth, March 11, 2021 [View]
- PSY 370, Summary Report on Cardiovascular Disease, February 13, 2021 [View]
- MSGA By-Laws (edited during term as student president) [View]
- PSY 340, Case Study, May 1, 2020
- PSY 337 Cognitive Processes, Lab 4 – Serial Positioning, February 23, 2020 [View]
Professional Presentations & Research
Presentations at The 2023 WPA Conference
Robinson, E., Olson, M., Barrera, I., Vargas, N., Emmett, J., Zamora, R. C., Duque, K., Interiano, O., Killmeier, N., McHugh, P., Serrano, D. (2023). Understanding the sense of belonging of BIPOC doctoral students in counseling and clinical psychology. Poster presentation for the 2023 Western Psychological Association Conference.
Serrano, D., McHugh, P., Killmeier, N., Interiano, O., Duque, K., Zamora, R. C., Barrera, I., Vargas, N., Olson, M., Robinson, E., Emmett, J. (2023). Experiences of BIPOC women in doctoral programs in clinical and counseling psychology. Poster accepted for 2023 Western Psychological Association Conference.
Thinking Outside of the Box Partnership (https://www.vineyardseniorliving.com/mcu-partnership-announcement/)
MCU Psi Chi Induction Ceremony 2022
President: Melissa Olson
Vice President: Angela Manson-McGaughy
Historian: Payton Sprouse
PSI CHI 2022 Ceremony Speech [View]
MCU Psi Chi Induction Ceremony 2021
This induction ceremony was held during the Covid19 pandemic to honor the 2020 and 2021 cohort for MCU Psi Chi
