About Student Leadership and Organizations

Nicole is a 3rd year student in the Clinical Psychology program. She moved from Connecticut to Boston in 2009 to attend Berklee College of Music to pursue both voice performance and Music Therapy.  Through Music Therapy, Nicole has worked in multiple settings such as Dana Farber's Pediatric Oncology Unit, and Sherrill House assisted living facility.  Since graduating from Berklee, Nicole has worked as a professional musician, teacher, and music therapist before pursuing her doctorate in psychology. She hopes to specialize in eating disorders, and body image issues with children, adolescents, and young adults. Nicole was previously the Vice-LEAD of the Clinical Department.  She joined ACES to be a voice for other students and help advocate for school wide changes to better the student experience. 

Email: nicole_poulter@williamjames.edu

I am a second-year full-time student with an emphasis in Forensic and Correctional Counseling. My internship is at MCI-Cedar Junction and MCI-CQI working with a male-inmate population. I received my BA in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina where I was a member of Psi Chi Honor Society. I am interested in understanding the effects mental health and socioeconomic status have on perpetrators of crime and to better understand the effects of trauma on individuals. 

Email: emily_knoepp@williamjames.edu

My name is Paul Coppola and I am a third year organization and leadership psychology (OLP) doctoral student with a concentration in neuroscience. In addition to LEAD, I am a William James student ambassador and have sat on the OLP Committee for Dismantling Systemic Racism. I obtained my MBA and bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the University of Hartford. I am currently privileged to serve as the Senior Director for Learning, Development and Performance for Aetna, a CVSHealth Company. While I am extremely committed to organizational and leadership psychology, I am especially passionate about behavior, group dynamics, coaching, personal brand, burnout, teaching and research.  When not focused on school and work, I value time with my family and volunteering in our local community.

Email: paul_coppola@williamjames.edu

Felicia is a second-year student at William James College. She works full-time with the Department of Developmental Services, where she manages a program for people who have developmental disabilities. She has a passion for meeting new people and learning their unique stories. 

Email: felicia_agbanyo@williamjames.edu

My name is Olivia Tyson and I am in my second year of the MA/CAGS Program in School Psychology. Prior to starting at William James College, I worked as an educational coach for an inclusive college program through LABBB Collaborative. Last year, I completed my first-year internship at a K-8 school in Boston Public Schools. I was drawn to William James because of its supportive community and dedication to hands-on learning in the field. In addition to representing the School Psychology department as a member of the LEAD team, I will be a Student Leader for the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). I look forward to connecting with both current and prospective students at WJC!

Email: olivia_tyson@williamjames.edu

Michaela_Spaulding@williamjames.edu
Xinru_Wang@williamjames.edu

The mission of the ASG is to educate, advocate, promote, and cultivate learning about the Asian community. ASG aims to provide critical support, mentorship and community for its members, while holding a commitment to decreasing racial/ethnic disparities by diversifying the mental health workforce and providing support to historically marginalized and underserved groups. Our group aims to create a warm and supportive environment to connect Asian students, Asian American students and anyone interested in learning about Asian cultures at WJC. It is also an open space to share interests in working with the Asian population. In doing so, we are hopeful that the WJC community can become better allies, improve competency and compassion when working with the Asian community, and celebrate the culture through activities of cultural enrichment and intercultural dialogue.

Amy_Overpeck@williamjames.edu
Kimberly_Hudson@williamjames.edu

Our mission: to bring generations together. The members of the GVC help coordinate outreach programming with older adults in the local community.  We seek to educate, learn, and create lasting connections with the individuals we meet.  In the past, we have run a variety of events including panels, discussions, and social media educational seminars. We also participate in the annual greater Boston's Walk to End Alzheimer's. 

Ashley_Phillips@williamjames.edu
Iveta_Stantcheva@williamjames.edu

Our mission is to advocate for students experiencing mental health and/or neurodiversity concerns through informed initiatives that create change at the individual and systemic levels. We also aim to empower students and reduce stigma, leading to a future of clinicians knowing how to navigate unique challenges and feeling valued in the field of psychology.  

"Rather than using my illness as a reason to curtail my clinical and teaching responsibilities, he...encouraged me to use it to try and develop better treatments and to help change public attitudes"
—Kay Redfield Jamison, An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness 

Note: We do not provide support services, if in need, please reach out to the Dean of Students office for resources. 

Jennifer_Sobel@williamjames.edu

The WJC Military Community (MC) is comprised of Veterans, Military-affiliated students, non Military-affiliated students, faculty, and staff. Its mission is to provide support, information and resources to students throughout the pursuit of graduate-level academic and clinical training. A healthy Military Community is an essential component of providing peer support and cultural competency to the larger social fabric of William James College. This will be accomplished by providing education pertaining to Military/Veteran related issues to the greater WJC community, as well as community service, and advocacy. Veterans, Service Members, and Military families (specifically spouses and children, as well as extended family members) have equal emphasis within the Military Community. Additionally, support does not end with the classroom - the WJC Military Community seeks to provide support for fellow students who face the realities of service in the modern era: deployment, transition to and from Military service, and reintegration. 

Brittany_Iyer@williamjames.edu
Ellen_McCauley@williamjames.edu

This group is for any student interested in the use of mindfulness in clinical practice or engaging in practice sessions with others in the WJC community. A member can choose to engage in either aspect of the group or both. The group provides a safe space for students to practice meditation, or, if they choose, practice leading meditation and other mindfulness practices. Beyond scheduled meditations, group meetings may include discussion groups, leading events for the WJC community and beyond, hosting outside presenters, and more, based on interests of the group.

Ashley_Phillips@williamjames.edu
Nicole_Poulter@williamjames.edu

Music & Psychology is a group that works to combine two passions: music and psychology. Whether you are a musician, lover of music, or curious about music therapy, this group aims to support further learning and creativity within WJC. Music & Psychology is looking to create music, learn music therapy skills to implement into practice, and share our gifts with others inside and outside the WJC community. No music experience is necessary! Love music and psychology, but don't know about Music Therapy? Check out this video.

Kelsey_Carroll@williamjames.edu
Cheyenne_Grice@williamjames.edu

Do you have an interest in Sports, Psychology, or Sports Psychology?  In this student group, we hope to touch on all three areas:

• create WJC team rosters for club sports
• discuss clinical topics (i.e. performance enhancement techniques, recovering from injuries, visualization, and how to work with athletes in a clinical setting)
• review educational material on sports psychology and staying connected with the activities of the Association for Applied Sports Psychology

Krystal_Gottilla@williamjames.edu
Kevin_Narine@williamjames.edu

The Trauma Awareness Group (TAG) at William James College aims to raise awareness on the prevalence of trauma and provide students with education regarding trauma informed care. Many individuals experience trauma, which can be a risk factor for a variety of symptoms and diagnoses.  It is imperative to be informed on trauma reactions and treatment when working in the field of psychology. Overall, TAG will explore different forms of trauma and related clinical presentations, and introduce therapeutic interventions for use when working with this population.