Student Leadership and Organizations

Tania is a third-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at William James College in Newton, Massachusetts. Tania’s objective for graduate studies in psychology is to acquire the skills necessary to treat behavioral health issues through an integrative lens. Her clinical interests include positive psychology, health and behavioral medicine, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma-informed care. She is also interested in working with populations with multicultural differences, having been raised by a Peruvian mother and Belgian father. Before returning to graduate school, Tania worked within the pharmaceutical industry where she held roles in human resources, portfolio leadership, communications, and business operations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fordham University in New York. Prior to undergrad, she volunteered as an EMT in her hometown in Connecticut.

Email: tania_remole@williamjames.edu 

Ann is a second year part-time student on the LGBTQIA+ track. She earned a B.S. from MSUM-Moorhead in Exercise and a M.S. from UMASS Boston in Gerontology. In addition, she received her professional certificate as an End-of-Life Doula from UVM Larner College of Medicine. Ann has been working in the health and wellness industry as a personal trainer, yoga teacher and meditation instructor for over twenty years. She is making a career shift and aspiring to be a LMHC. Her interests include the LGBTQIA+ community, the aging population and substance use disorders.

Email: ann_bruck@williamjames.edu

Tonya is a second-year student in the Leadership Psychology PsyD program. She is an award-winning international Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, and Managing Principal of Vigere.

Tonya has almost 30 years of experience in corporate management, digital and traditional media, technology, finance, coaching, leadership development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is committed to collaborating with others to create human-centric solutions that allow individuals and systems to be impactful, transformational leaders and organizations.

Tonya is excited to serve the on the LEAD team as a representative from the OLP program and looks forward to connecting with you!

Email: tonya_echols@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

Student Leaders: Tanjira Spaulding and Xinru Wang
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Catherine Vuky

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.

Student Leaders: Cecilia Brennan and Khristy Thompson
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Margaret Giles

Our group mission/purpose is to provide mentorship and support for students re-entering the academic setting and to facilitate the transition to a new career in counseling. This is an open space to help navigate through any concerns or questions students may have regarding student life and academic success at William James College. Our goal is for all students to have a positive career transition while fostering new connections and friendships within the WJC community.

Student Leaders: McEllen Lawrence and Holly Malette
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Katherine King

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.

Student Leaders: Tru Lotus Goetchius and Alexandra Tursi
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Matthew Carper

The mission of the Mental Health and Chronic Illness Advocacy Network is to promote a sense of community and support for any students who identify as immunocompromised, disabled, and/or struggle with chronic medical concerns. We also invite those who are interested in learning more about how to support individuals who are immunocompromised, living with a disability, and/or struggle with a chronic illness to join our meetings. Our group is meant to provide a safe space for students to come and process feelings surrounding the pandemic and navigating a world with complex medical issues. It is our hope to create a venue for discussion groups, planning of larger events for the WJC community and beyond, hosting guest speakers, and spreading awareness of diseases and disabilities of interest campus wide.

Student Leaders: Ashley Phillips and Iveta Stantcheva
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Matthew Carper

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.

Student Leaders: Jose De Ramon
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Jenny D'Olympia

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.

Student Leaders: Serena Mainiero and Angela Walukevich
Faculty/Staff Adisor(s): Dr. Katherine King

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.

Student Leaders: Leah Arisman, Anya Keomurjian, and Ananya Samuel
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): TBD

Music and 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 and 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.

Student Leaders: Ronit Senior and Shani Jean-Charles
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Sejal Prajapati

The Parent Student Group welcomes parents of all genders, sexual orientations, and family structures, including parents by birth, foster/adoption, stepparents, those who have lost one or more children, and those who are expecting. This group aims to create a community of students that are parents. We discuss the joys and challenges of parenting, share tips, and provide peer support.

Student Leaders: Lainie Ferguson and Graham Johnson
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Kimberly Larson

The Policy and Advocacy Student Coalition aims to establish a community platform to advance the use of evidence-based psychological knowledge in politics, policy, and legislation. A primary focus of this coalition is to educate future psychologists about the intersection of mental health and our state and national systems, including, but not limited to, education, legislation, and the criminal justice system. Additionally, the Policy and Advocacy Student Coalition promotes community discussions about the role of psychologists in influencing these systems to improve the lives of the people that we serve. The Coalition brings together students with the common goal of providing resources and knowledge to support them in advocating for issues that impact the populations we serve, as well as advancing the use of psychological knowledge in accordance with the principles of the American Psychological Association’s ethical standards.

Student Leaders: Stephanie Kowalak and Laura Kehoe
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. David Haddad

The mission of the Positive Psychology club is to introduce the student body to the science of happiness by providing the concepts, practices, and tools that contribute to a flourishing life. Each meeting will introduce students to positive psychology intervention skills. We will explore how these skills can be applied in our own life to increase overall well-being and integrated into the work we do with professional clients.

Student Leaders: Kristen Burke and Akshita Pokharna
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Katherine King and Dr. Sarah VanMattson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WJCRainbowAlliance
Scholarships and Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students: www.publicservicedegrees.org/financial-aid/lgbtqia-students-scholarships-resources

Article on Pronoun Diversity written by Kevin Narine (he/him/his), BA, William James College, and Melina Wald, PhD (she/they), Columbia University Medical Center/Gender Identity Program.

Article on LGBTQ+ BIPOC Mental Health written by Kevin Narine (he/him/his), BA, William James College, and Matthew Eisner (he/him/his), MSEd, William James College

The Rainbow Alliance at William James College is a group of students who want to provide support for one another, engage in LGBTQIA+ advocacy/awareness, and plan events (for either purpose).

Student Leaders: Haley Barrows and Cheyenne Grice
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Modesto Hevia

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

Student Leaders: Shani Jean-Charles, Angela Mendez, Kevin Narine, and Kelly Re
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Sunny Dutra

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.