Student Leadership and Organizations

Emma is a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student at William James College. She recently trained at Tufts University Medical Center Outpatient Psychiatry service. While there, she worked on a multidisciplinary team providing individual psychotherapy and psychological/neuropsychological testing with diverse and underserved patients from across the lifespan. Emma also has prior practicum training at McLean Hospital’s Hill Center and Eliot Survivor Services. Prior to her graduate training, Emma gained experience as a resource specialist in the Acute Psychiatry Service of the ER at MGH, as well as an inpatient Mental Health Specialist and research assistant at McLean Hospital. Her research at the time focused on psychosis and genome sequencing. For her fourth-year practicum, Emma will have the opportunity to train within the Ambulatory Psychology Advanced Practicum Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her past clinical and research experiences influenced and informed her doctoral project research on childhood maltreatment as a driver of functional impairment among adult individuals with bipolar disorder. Emma has been affiliated with ACES Field Education for the past two years, acting as last year's co-lead. She is excited to take on the position of ACES LEAD and represent her peers for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Email: emma_peabody@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 third-year student in the Leadership Psychology 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

Anthony Neptune is a dedicated third-year student in the BS in Psychology and Human Services program at William James College. With over a decade of heartfelt commitment to serving under-resourced children and families, Anthony's experience has shaped his passion for the field. Following his bachelor's degree, he eagerly looks forward to advancing his education with a degree in organizational psychology. As a steadfast advocate for improvement, Anthony is deeply honored to represent his peers in the student government association. He is committed to enhancing students' experiences in the bachelor's program, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. With a heart that genuinely listens and a mindset geared toward action, Anthony stands ready to make a significant impact this year.

Email: anthony_neptune@williamjames.edu 

Sarah Bennett is a third-year student of the MA/CAGS Program in School Psychology. Prior to starting at William James College, she worked as a residential counselor for transitional age youth and as a paraprofessional in a public high school. During the first two years as a practicum student, she was placed in East Bridgewater Central Elementary School and Southeastern Regional Technical High School. For the final year, She will be returning to East Bridgewater as it was such a wonderful experience. Sarah was drawn to William James College because of the hands-on opportunities to learn in the field, and the supportive community. As the School Psychology Department LEAD, she is happy to support any current or future student of William James College. Sarah is looking forward to connecting with you!

Email: sarah_bennett@williamjames.edu

Student Leaders: Shubh Agrawal and  Rebekah Chappell
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: Etianna Etianne, Jodyann Hanson, Nick Rocha, and Maranda Williams

Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Susan Powell

The First-Generation College Student Group at WJC aims to provide a supportive and inclusive space for students who are the first (or among the first) in their families to attend a four-year university. This group is committed to creating a space where first gen students can connect, share challenges and successes, and support one another. We strive to foster an engaging environment where first gen students feel their unique experiences are recognized and valued. The First-Generation College Student Group also welcomes any student who is interested in being an ally and learning more about the first-generation college student experience.

Student Leaders: Arielle Black  and Hannah Mather
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: Rachel Most and Samantha Solomon
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Jason Kaplan, Dr. Claire Fialkov, and Dr. Shira Fishman

The Jewish Student Alliance at WJC aims to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for Jewish students and those interested in being an ally and learning more about the Jewish student experience. This group is committed to creating a space where Jewish students can connect, share common experiences, support one another, and raise awareness of anti-Semitism. The Jewish Student Alliance strives to foster an engaging environment where students can feel recognized and valued and discuss Jewish culture and issues of identity.

Student Leaders: Tru Lotus Goetchius, Anna Port , Alexandra Tursi, and Alexandra Woolley
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: 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: Doralee Lopez and Peyton Cahn
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: Rylan Guthrie and Nicola Hassapis 
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): 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: Nicole Angelakis, Eleanor (Ellie) Deveaux, Jordan French, and Angela Walukevich,
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Katherine King

The Self-Care Group aims to provide a supportive space for students to discuss and validate the difficulties of maintaining and making time for self-care. The group will provide psychoeducation around self-care, including ethical considerations with clinical practice. The group will discuss and provide ideas for self-care activities, how to effectively build self-care into the students’ routines, and provide accountability for self-care goals

Student Leaders: Edye Caine and Natalia Vasquez
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s):  Dr. Sejal Prajapati

The Spirit, Mind, Body Group exists to offer an arena for all students interested in the integration of spirituality and psychology to explore how the critical intersections of spirituality and mental health can increase the overall effectiveness and quality of treatment on the continuum of care. Research demonstrates that spirituality, religion, and alternative means of healing (i.e., Reiki, Hypnosis) positively impact health and wellness across the continuum of care. Together we will work to foster connection and collaboration through a dynamic exchange of ideas among students, faculty, and special guest lecturers. Our group will work to contribute towards a more loving, spiritually aware, and positive society. As students and professionals, our goal is to learn together to ensure a more life-centered approach in the field of psychology.

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

The mission of the sport psychology club is to promote the study and application of clinical and sport psychology within athletic settings.  

Student Leaders: Marina Boulos and Zeina Nahlous
Faculty/Staff Advisor(s): Dr. Yousef AlAjarma and Dr. Hanan Hashem 

The SWANA Student Alliance and Allies at WJC aims to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for SWANA students and those interested in being an ally and learning more about the SWANA student experience. This group is committed to creating a space where SWANA students can connect, share common experiences, and support one another. The SWANA Student Alliance strives to foster an engaging environment where students can feel recognized and valued and discuss SWANA culture and issues of identity. If you are interested in joining this new group, please reach out to one of the faculty advisors: Dr. Hanan Hashem and Dr. Yousef AlAjarma.