Research Agenda

My research agenda focuses on examining, advocating, and intervening to promote mental health and educational equity for Black students. Centering the educational trajectories, particularly of Black female students, my research is at the convergence of mental health, education, and intersectionality.

One critical component of my agenda is investigating Black female students' academic experiences. In one of my published articles, I aimed to uncover the various school factors that predict Black high school girls' intent to complete college. Complementing this, I have developed a theoretical model highlighting persistence in Black female students as a catalyst for academic success, influenced by many factors, including parental support, psychosocial elements, and interpersonal relationships.

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In another study, I employ Black Feminist Thought to analyze the experiences of Black female students in doctoral programs at predominantly white institutions. This research is not just to meet a requirement of academic tenure but a mission to uplift and amplify these often-overlooked voices, highlighting the complexities and resilience within their educational journeys.

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Another critical component of my agenda is assessing current school-based mental health interventions to identify the most effective strategies tailored for Black students.

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My overarching aim is to create a tapestry of knowledge and intervention that significantly enhances Black students' mental health and educational experiences. Through this journey, I aspire to contribute meaningfully to the academic discourse, influence policy, and, most importantly, make a tangible difference in the lives of those at the heart of my research.