Current School Psychology Graduate Students
Lisa Aguilar
I recently began my position as a school psychology intern with the Mat-Su Psychology Internship Consortium in Alaska! My appointment is with the Mat-Su Borough School District under the supervision of Dr. Kroll, a school neuropsychologist, in which I will support schools via assessment and evaluations, consultation, counseling, and crisis management. I will also be trained in neuropsychological evaluations as part of the clinical aspect of the consortium I am originally from Chicago, IL and completed my bachelor’s in psychology at Ripon College. My research interests include, academic interventions, practitioner/teacher multicultural competency, and Indigenous youth and other at-risk or marginalized populations. In the future, I hope to advocate at the state and national level for Indigenous youth and families while teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Helen Young
I am from originally from the west-suburbs of Chicago and received my undergraduate degree at Mizzou. I have been submersed in and exposed to graduate level experiences since the day I interviewed for the program. My research interests include academic interventions and promotion of mental health in schools. I chose to attend the University of Missouri because of the support that I knew I would receive, and the exposure I would gain as well. I have been pushed outside of my comfort zone, doing more than I thought I would be able to, with support of faculty and peers every step of the way. If you are looking to be challenged, and to gain career-relevant experiences from day one, this is a program to pursue!
I am from originally from the west-suburbs of Chicago and received my undergraduate degree at Mizzou. I have been submersed in and exposed to graduate level experiences since the day I interviewed for the program. My research interests include academic interventions and promotion of mental health in schools. I chose to attend the University of Missouri because of the support that I knew I would receive, and the exposure I would gain as well. I have been pushed outside of my comfort zone, doing more than I thought I would be able to, with support of faculty and peers every step of the way. If you are looking to be challenged, and to gain career-relevant experiences from day one, this is a program to pursue!
Lizzie McCollom
I am a first-year doctoral student in School Psychology from Kansas City, MO. For undergrad, I attended Loyola University New Orleans where I received a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Latin American Studies. This year, I am serving as a Site Coordinator for A Way With Words & Numbers, as well as a Research Assistant for Dr. Matt Burns. My research interests include early literacy interventions with ELL (English Language Learner) students and school outreach to families of ELL students.
Mallory Stevens
I am from St. Louis and received my undergraduate degree in psychology at Mizzou. Currently, I am a second-year educational specialist student in the School Psychology program. I work as an assistant site coordinator at A Way with Words and Numbers and I am working to become more involved in research within our department. I'm interested in studying and working with students with developmental disabilities (i.e., Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, etc.). Specifically, how to increase their academic and social performance and outcomes.
Monica Romero
I am from Los Angeles, CA and received my undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I chose Mizzou’s School Psychology Program because many of the programs major training themes align with my own professional values and beliefs. A major theme of Mizzou’s program that drew me to the school is the belief in using problem-solving approaches for prevention and intervention. This approach will allow me to promote positive outcomes for students, families, teachers, and schools both at the system level, and individually. My research interests include early identification and intervention for students with academic difficulties.
I am from Los Angeles, CA and received my undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I chose Mizzou’s School Psychology Program because many of the programs major training themes align with my own professional values and beliefs. A major theme of Mizzou’s program that drew me to the school is the belief in using problem-solving approaches for prevention and intervention. This approach will allow me to promote positive outcomes for students, families, teachers, and schools both at the system level, and individually. My research interests include early identification and intervention for students with academic difficulties.
McKinzie Duesenberg
I am from St. Louis, MO and received my undergraduate degree in psychology at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. I am a first-year doctoral student in the School Psychology Program. Currently, I serve as a Research Assistant for Dr. Matthew Burns, as well as a Team Leader for Americorps’ Jumpstart program. My research interests include academic and community based interventions, as well as the role culture and socioeconomic status plays on education. I would specifically like to work with students with developmental disabilities and evaluate the educational interventions these students receive. I ultimately aspire to travel to different countries and evaluate the educational interventions currently being used, if any.
I am from St. Louis, MO and received my undergraduate degree in psychology at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. I am a first-year doctoral student in the School Psychology Program. Currently, I serve as a Research Assistant for Dr. Matthew Burns, as well as a Team Leader for Americorps’ Jumpstart program. My research interests include academic and community based interventions, as well as the role culture and socioeconomic status plays on education. I would specifically like to work with students with developmental disabilities and evaluate the educational interventions these students receive. I ultimately aspire to travel to different countries and evaluate the educational interventions currently being used, if any.
Jared Izumi
I am a third year graduate student in the School Psychology Program. I received his B.A in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and my Ed.S. in School Psychology from Chapman University. I am is interested in studying early identification and intervention for emotional and behavioral disorders. I am also interested in implementation of multi-tiered systems of support.
Crystal Taylor
I received my undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and worked as an RA at UNC - Chapel Hill. Although my adviser is Dr. Steve Kilgus I am a part of Dr. Matt Burns research team and my research interests include systems level supports through universal screening, early identification, and early interventions for students with academic and behavioral difficulties. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how we can use assessments to inform interventions to improve behavioral and academic outcomes in elementary students. I am currently on internship with Livingston County Special Services Unit with Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium.
Alumni
Kristy Brann (Warmbold), Ph.D.
I am from St. Louis, MO and received my undergraduate degree and Master of Arts in Counseling from Truman State University. I graduated from University of Missouri in July 2017 with my Ph.D. in School Psychology and had the pleasure of working with Dr. Burns' research team from 2014-2017. I am currently an Assistant Professor with Miami University's School Psychology program in Oxford, OH. I teach courses on Behavior Intervention, Social-Emotional Assessment, and Mental Health Practicum. My research interests focus on early identification and intervention for school mental health concerns. Please feel free to email me at brannk@miamiOH.edu with questions related to the School Psychology program at Mizzou or working with Dr. Burns.
I am from St. Louis, MO and received my undergraduate degree and Master of Arts in Counseling from Truman State University. I graduated from University of Missouri in July 2017 with my Ph.D. in School Psychology and had the pleasure of working with Dr. Burns' research team from 2014-2017. I am currently an Assistant Professor with Miami University's School Psychology program in Oxford, OH. I teach courses on Behavior Intervention, Social-Emotional Assessment, and Mental Health Practicum. My research interests focus on early identification and intervention for school mental health concerns. Please feel free to email me at brannk@miamiOH.edu with questions related to the School Psychology program at Mizzou or working with Dr. Burns.
June Preast, Ph.D.
Originally from Wilmington, NC, I am currently an assistant professor of School Psychology at the University of Alabama. I earned my B.S. in Neuroscience, M.A. in School Psychology, and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology degrees from East Carolina University. While at Mizzou, I participated in the research labs of Drs. Matt Burns and Chad Rose and completed my doctoral internship with the North Kansas City School District. Prior to attending the University of Missouri, I practiced school psychology for 2 years in Eastern North Carolina.
Meaghan Pearson
I am an undergraduate statistics and sociology major at the University of Missouri. Currently, as a McNair Scholar, I am studying how age, gender and mathematical ability interact to affect expectancy and task selection for mathematics. In the future I hope to create a deeper of understanding and provide more statistics on how girls of color perceive their mathematical abilities in order to further understand their lack of representation in scientific and mathematical fields.
