Oceann Stanley Gittens (4th year) received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Western Carolina University. Her professional interests center around increasing the access of equitable mental health services in schools. She is particularly passionate about promoting wellness in both students and their educators through school- and class-wide interventions. Her thesis sought to improve self-regulation skills in preschoolers through a class-wide meditation intervention and, for her dissertation, Oceann is currently investigating a brief mindfulness-based intervention to improve wellbeing, and thus reduce burnout, in educators. Outside of the program, Oceann enjoys practicing yoga, exploring new cities, and hiking with her husband and their pup, Hudson.

Thesis: Mindfulness meditation and personality effects on self-regulation in preschoolers

Dissertation: Examining a brief mindfulness intervention on educator well-being

What I like about the program? I like how small and welcoming it is! It’s like a little family of people encouraging you to do your best ❤️

Parker Levins is a fourth-year school psychology student under Dr. Long’s mentorship. After receiving her B.A. in Psychology from Auburn University and studying such topics as staff/student interactions and communal effects on student wellbeing, Parker is now interested in how caregivers/educators make decisions, as well as how the research-to-practice gap within psychology can be mitigated (i.e., how evidence-based practices can be more widely utilized by caregivers and educators). Parker is also interested in educational policy as it relates to child well-being, as well as suicide prevention efforts for young students. Outside of school, Parker enjoys cooking, exploring new restaurants around town, and hanging out with friends.

Favorite part of the program:

I love how welcoming and collaborative it is! The support and encouragement provided in this program is unmatched! 

Ar'Reon Watson (he, him, his) is a third-year School Psychology Ph.D. student under Dr. Anna Long's mentorship. He received his B.A. with high honors in Psychology with a concentration in Legal Studies from Kenyon College in 2018. Prior to arriving at LSU, he provided research and evaluation support for a federally funded place-based prevention program designed to promote the well-being of families with young children in under-resourced neighborhoods in Washington, DC. His research interests are situated in understanding how cultural and contextual factors shape risk and resilience among Black children and families across multiple ecological contexts (e.g., school, community, and home settings). He is also interested in equitable and culturally responsive approaches to the implementation and evaluation of preventive interventions. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, meditating, interior designing, writing poetry, and running.

Favorite Grad School Memory: Competing in a beach volleyball league with a small team of school psych students. Shout out to “See these blocks?” (yes, this is our team name. If you know, you know)!!

Mary Snellings Inabnett is a third-year school psychology student on Dr. Long’s team. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Tulane University in 2020. Prior to enrolling at LSU, Mary Snellings completed an AmeriCorps fellowship with Saga Education, providing an in-school math intervention to students in Chicago. Her research interests include implementing trauma-informed practices and promoting education equity. Outside of school, she enjoys exercising, reading, and traveling. 

Favorite Part of LSU School Psych: Getting to work in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Julianne Hymel is a second-year school psychology student on Dr. Long's team. Before joining LSU, she received her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from TCU in 2022. Prior to grad school, Julianne spent her time as a grief support group facilitator for young teens and as a research assistant exploring contributors to mental health symptoms among children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. Her current research is primarily focused on the implementation of culturally responsive teaching practices and its positive effects on student outcomes. Outside of school, Julianne enjoys trying out new recipes in the kitchen, going dancing, and of course cheering on the LSU Tigers.

Favorite Part of LSU School Psych:

How incredibly supportive and collaborative our students and advisors are! Everyone is looking out for you to succeed!

Kita is a first-year student on Dr. Long's team. She received her undergraduate degree is psychology with minors in Spanish and Africana studies from NC State University. Her current research interests include designing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral supports in schools with students who display problem behaviors using a cultural-ecological framework. Prior to attending LSU, Kita served as an AmeriCorps member working with the NC State College Advising Corps to provide postsecondary education access and advising to high school students from a rural, low socioeconomic background. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, live music, going on nature walks, and spending time with friends. Kita is excited to build positive, long-lasting relationships with her faculty advisor, her cohort, and the CRISP Lab teammates. 

Delaney is a first-year student in the CRISP Lab. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from LSU, while working as a Supplemental Instruction Leader and undergrad RA. Prior to starting LSU's School Psychology PhD program, Delaney worked as a research associate for the CRISP Lab assisting Dr. Long and her students with their research projects. Currently, she is broadly interested in teachers' discipline practices, as well as help seeking in an academic context. During her free time, she enjoys taking her dog to the park and roller skating. 

Favorite part of LSU School Psych: 

The students and faculty in this program are wonderful!! Everyone is so supportive and more than willing to provide guidance.

Meet Md. Omar Faruk, a Clinical Psychologist from Bangladesh currently pursuing a Ph.D. in School Psychology under the guidance of Dr. Anna Long. He holds a B.S. in Psychology (2015), an M.S. (2017), and an M.Phil. (2022), all from the University of Dhaka. With over 5 years of clinical experience, he specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy to treat mental health issues affecting both adults and children. In addition to his clinical practice, he is an active researcher in social psychology. His research focuses on reducing prejudice based on race and gender, as well as the stigma surrounding mental illness among indigenous populations in school settings. He is also interested in refugee mental health and exploring ways to bridge the gap between host communities and refugees in terms of mental health interventions.

Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys exploring the world through travel, crafting short stories, and indulging in literature, cinema, and music.