welcome to
Meet Our Student Mentors!
Tyshawn Thompson, M.A.
Founding UPSIDE Member,
President
Current education: Fourth year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology and English Literature, Assumption College
Clinical interests: health psychology, forensic psychology, marketing and outreach in psychology, emotion regulation, emotional reactivity, resilience, and the dynamic of relationships
"I am open to being contacted by a mentee whenever they may need me. Mentorship is very important to me. I wish I had a mentor when applying to graduate school.
Loren Carmichael, B.S.
Vice-President
Current education: Second year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, Austin Peay University
Clinical interests: mood disorders, eating disorders, genetics, and development of addictive behaviors
Brice Tucker, B.A.
Secretary
Current education: Second year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, UMass Amherst
Clinical interests: LGBTQ+ population, children, and adolescents
Aletha Cannistra, M.A.
Members Education Committee
Current education: Fourth year Clinical Psychology student, Marywood University
Braxton Clark, B.S.
HBCU Liaison
Current education: Second year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, Delaware State University
Clinical interests: child psychology, trauma, sports psychology, effects of discrimination on cognition
Lauren Clark, M.A.
Creative Committee
Current education: Fourth year Clinical Psychology student, Marywood University
Previous education: Clinical Psychology, University of Hartford
Clinical interests: young adults, anxiety, depression, trauma, phobias, body image & eating concerns, and coping skills
Nicole Coccodrilli, B.S.
Creative Committee
Current education: First year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Clinical Psychology, Marywood University
Clinical interests: children and adolescents
Brian Da Costa, M.A.
Flyers Committee
Current education: Second year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Clinical Psychology, University of Hartford
Clinical interests: effects of emotional suppression on mental and physical states
Maya Ehikhamenor, M.S.
Creative Committee
Current education: First year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Mental Health Counseling, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical interests: anxiety, depression, internalized stigma, race-related trauma
Lacy Foster, B.S.
Creative Committee
Current education: First year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, Marywood University
Clinical interests: alexithymia and emotion regulation
Samantha Glosser, M.A.
Website Committee
Current education: Third year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology & Child Advocacy and Policy, Montclair State University
Clinical interests: disordered eating, young adult populations
Bertnie Jeanniton, M.A.
Founding UPSIDE Member, Past President
Current education: Fifth year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, Marywood University (M.A.)
Clinical interests: race-related stress, ethnic identity, and grit
Vanessa Mateo, B.S.
Creative Committee
Current education: Second year Masters student, Psychology Clinical Track, Marywood University
Previous education: Clinical Psychology, Marywood University
Clinical interests: racial minorities, anxiety, and depression
Kalei Mills, M.A.
Outreach Committee
Current education: Fourth year Clinical Psychology student, Marywood University
Sydney Palmer, M.A.
Outreach & Website Committee
Current education: Third year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Clinical Psychology, Marywood University
Clinical interests: health psychology, body image, disordered eating, self-esteem, family dynamics, and healthy relationships
Brianna Rivera, B.S.
Website Committee
Current education: Second year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Clinical Psychology, Marywood University
Clinical interests: adverse childhood experiences, attachment, coping, and mood disorders.
Gabe Rivera, M.A.
Social Media Committee
Current education: Third year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology (minor in Women & Gender Studies), West Chester University
Clinical interests: Mental health and resource discrepancies in minority populations with an emphasis on gender, race, and sexual minorities
Emily Rosenbaum, M.A.
Members Education Committee
Current education: Third year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Sarah Rowland, B.A.
Members Education Committee
Current education: Second year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
Clinical interests: forensic psychology, suicide prevention, and severe mental illness
Liz Roy, M.A.
Fundraising & Grant Committee
Current education: Third year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, Marywood University
Clinical interests: disability, rehabilitation, and health psychology
Tyana Ruiz, M.A.
Fundraising, Grant, & Social Media Committee
Current education: Fourth year Clinical Psychology student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, Sonoma State University
Clinical interests: self-efficacy, sense of community, and empowerment
Beau Samonte, M.A.
Grant and Outreach Planning Committee
Current education: Fifth year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Neuroscience, University of Scranton
Clinical interests: sleep disorders and LGBTQ+ populations
Morgan Shamro, B.S.
Fundraising Committee
Current education: First year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Clinical Psychology, Marywood University
Clinical interests: Working with veterans and/or active military members
Alexa Strelecki, M.A.
Fundraising Committee
Current education: Fourth year Clinical Psychology student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology, East Stroudsburg State University
Clinical interests: adverse childhood experiences
Suparsh Tanga, M.A.
Grad Student Council Liaison
Current education: Fourth year Clinical Psychology student, Marywood University
Previous education: Counseling Psychology, Louisiana Tech University
Clinical interests: healthy psychology
Dominique Toscano, B.S.
Creative and Social Media Committee
Current education: First year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Union College, New York
Clinical interests: Children and adolescents
Amanda Tyrrell, M.A.
Outreach Planning Committee
Current education: Third year Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student, Marywood University
Previous education: Clinical Psychology, SUNY Brockport
Clinical interests: forensic psychology, severe mental illness, adverse childhood experiences, and sexual & domestic violence
Kate Vala, M.A.
Creative, Fundraising, and Social Media Committee
Current education: Fourth year Clinical Psychology student, Marywood University
Previous education: Psychology and Spanish, West Chester University
Clinical interests: perfectionism, complex trauma, identity development, mindfulness, and relationships
UPSIDE Honors Brienna-Rae Cruz
Brie was (and in some ways still is, through the establishment of the Brienna Rae Scholarship) such a staunch advocate for mental health, awareness, fair treatment, and advocacy for those in need. She was passionate and dedicated in everything she did and spoke to you -- whether a friend, colleague, or client -- in a way that was genuine and made you feel listened to. Brie will forever be missed and fondly remembered by those who had the pleasure of knowing her, and her values and passions will live on through her like minded friends and family.
Written by Dr. Amara Chukwunenye
