Hello, I prefer to go by Sara and I use she/her pronouns. I joined the faculty of the Clinical-Community Psychology PhD Program at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2017. I am a Licensed Psychologist committed to bridging clinical, community, and cultural psychology. In addition to my role in our PhD Program, a Co-Direct the Center for Community Engagement and Learning. I also serve as Community Psychology's Representative to the American Psychological Association [APA] on its Council of Representatives and as the Early Career Psychologist on APA's Council Leadership Team. My program of research centers on how communities and systems shape acculturation. I examine how people navigate acculturation in context and its impacts on their multidimensional wellbeing. My work is largely with international migrants, and it also extends to groups whose cultures have been suppressed through systemic efforts, such as colonization. I aim to identify and support the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs that support inclusion of multicultural community members, as opposed to tolerance or mere integration. I collaborate across disciplines and partner with communities to develop research projects. I use diverse, applied, community-engaged qualitative and mixed methods to answer these questions. I believe that research must be given away for the common good and used for action. My research informs my applied work. I care about intervention at multiple, interconnected levels - including national and local policy, community development, group prevention/promotion programming, and individual psychotherapy. I work not only as a researcher, but as an educator, advocate, and therapist. Above all, I believe in collaboration, and I strive to ask questions of concern to communities and to answer the questions in partnership with them. I have the privilege of working with an incredible team to do this work. I hope you enjoy getting to know them!  

My name is Jun (pronounced like the month June). I am a first-generation immigrant from Beijing, China. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Through my cultural immersion, I have come to believe that expressing one’s authentic self, including cultural heritage, should be a fundamental right rather than a privilege. As I raise my own child today, I am reminded of the urgency of this mission. I envision a future where cultural self-expression is celebrated, allowing my child and many others to grow up free from self-doubt and embrace their heritage without hesitation. To achieve this goal, I am pursuing a path in clinical-community psychology.

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I celebrate the unique identities and perspectives of various cultures, believing this diversity is essential for humanity's progress. I recognize that our ability to celebrate and preserve the ideas of cultural groups depends on the longevity and autonomy of their members. My current research interest is in modeling and enhancing the mental well-being of marginalized populations as they adapt to unfamiliar environments, particularly those relocating from rural to urban settings and immigrants facing the challenges of acculturation.

Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new experiences such as hiking, traveling, diving, and skiing. I take pleasure in tasting and cooking delicious foods. Additionally, I love creating artwork through needle felting, using wool and hair harvested from my two fluffy cats.

Hello! I am from rural, northwestern Illinois. Growing up in a rural community gave me an intimate look at the mental health disparities and a passion for clinical psychology in rural areas. I received my B.S. in Developmental Psychology with a minor in Theatre Arts from Liberty University in the fall of 2018. My research interests are primarily related to rural psychology and how research can be turned into evidence-based practices for rural communities. I am also extremely interested in mood and anxiety disorders, particularly risk, protective, and resiliency factors in a rural context. Lastly, supplementary techniques of therapy such as expressive and arts therapies are another area of interest to me. Currently, I am working on my second year research project, which is using Constructivist Grounded Theory to examine and compare the experiences of rural mental health clinicians in Alaska and Illinois and glean their perspectives on what constitutes efficacious rural mental health care. I also worked with RAIS (Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services) over the summer to complete a program needs assessment for them. This consisted of interviewing current staff, volunteers, community partners, and the clients themselves. Both projects have been extremely rewarding thus far. Outside of school, I enjoy anything artistic: theatre, painting, music, makeup, and photo/videography. I also love reading, and my dream is to one day have a dedicated library room in my home. Playing with my dog, Arya, is also a consistent and wonderful form of self-care.

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Research Project: The Experiences of Rural Mental Health Clinicians: Insights from Alaska and Illinois

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Dissertation: Regional Influences on Experiences and Recommendations for Rural Mental Health Improvement from Community and Providers

Hello, my name is Riley August Russell, and my pronouns are they/them. I am pleased to be joining the Crossroads Research Collective. My research interests are in behavioral therapy adaptations for underserved populations, the impact of culture, and utilizing community resources. My Master's thesis was an adaptation of Interpersonal Group therapy for LGBTQIA+ young adults in emerging adulthood with role transition or interpersonal dispute problem areas. Previously, I have worked as a Research Assistant at the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress at the University of Washington, the Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle, the Loss, Trauma and Emotion lab at Teachers College, Columbia University, and as a Research Coordinator at Tufts Medical Center. Since my family growing up was military, I've lived a nomadic lifestyle and enjoy traveling. 

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Research Project: PhotoGAIS: A Photovoice Project Examining Gender & Sexual Orientation Minorities (GSM) in Anchorage’s Intergenerational Sense of Community (SOC)

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Waqaa! Wiinga atqa Tiera Uqiilaq Schroeder. Yupiugua kassaugua-llu. Aanaka Mary Barnes, aatairutka Baze Schroeder. Maurluugka Meg Schroeder, Daisy Barnes-llu. Apa’urluugka Hudy Schroeder, Harry Barnes Sr-llu. Anglillruunga Curyugmi, elitua Yugtun.

Hi! I am Tiera Uqiilaq Schroeder. I am Yup’k and White. My mom is Mary Barnes and my late dad is Baze Schroeder. My grandmothers are Meg Schroeder and Daisy Barnes. My grandfathers are Hudy Schroeder and Harry Barnes Sr. I grew up in Curyung (Dillingham), and I'm learning Yugtun.

Upon graduating from high school all I knew was that I wanted to do something with my life that would allow me to give back to my community in Bristol Bay and Alaska Native people. My love for psychology and the hope that I would be able contribute in a meaningful way flourished during undergrad – ultimately, I felt compelled to continue my education by pursuing this PhD as I felt that it would better prepare me to be a competent, culturally sensitive provider and collaborator. My research interests broadly pertain to prevention and intervention of substance misuse and suicidality in Alaska Native populations. I am also interested in community-based participatory methods from an Indigenous perspective. Outside of academic pursuits I enjoy being home in Dillingham spending time with family, friends, and nature, subsisting, traveling, eating (not necessarily cooking), and practicing my Native language, Yugtun.

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Research Project: Alaska Native Cultural Identity Development as Experienced by Elder Facilitators and Students in a University Setting

Hello! My name is Sofia, and I use she/her pronouns. I was born and raised in Metro Detroit and received my undergraduate degree in psychology from DePaul University in Chicago. I worked as a research coordinator at DePaul where we examined the efficacy, dissemination, and sustainability of a cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression implemented in Chicago Public Schools. This research allowed me to see first-hand how community-based and culturally sensitive interventions are vital for individuals in historically underserved communities to gain access to mental health resources. These experiences then shaped my continued interest in developing and implementing community-based interventions for individuals who face systemic oppression. Additionally, I have worked on sexual health research at various institutions in Chicago, and I am passionate about promoting inclusive and positive sexual education programming. I am currently working on a research project to better understand how teenagers in Alaska conceptualize their sexual health. I also serve on the bargaining committee for University of Alaska graduate student workers, representing graduate student workers at University of Alaska Anchorage and working to improve conditions for graduate student workers across the University of Alaska system. Throughout my career, I strive to be involved in research, clinical practice, teaching, mentorship, organizing, and advocacy. In my free time, I like to dance, cook, hike, and spend time with my friends and two cats, Moon and Gemini.

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Research Project: Sexual Health in Alaska: The Missing Adolescent Perspective

Sharnel Vale-Jones, Yaagál, is Lingít (Alaska Native) from Yakutat, belonging to Kwaashk’IKwáan (Raven, Humpy Salmon) and Dis hítdaxáyáxat (Moon house). She is also the daughter of Teikweidí (Eagle, Brown Bear) and granddaughter of the Kaagwaantaan (Eagle, Beaver). She holds an M.S. in Clinical Psychology and recently completed the fourth year of her Clinical-Community Psychology Ph.D. program. Sharnel has dedicated nine years of her career to serving Alaska Native people in various capacities at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, including networking, improvement science, rural energy efficiency, and tobacco prevention. Since Fall 2020, she has provided community mental health services to adults, children, and families through telehealth and in-person sessions.

Navigating Western worldviews as a Lingít/European American individual, Sharnel is passionate about merging the two perspectives and weaving Indigenous knowledge into Western research practice. She firmly believes engaging in culturally responsive research is crucial for decolonizing knowledge production, which in turn will foster a more profound understanding of Indigenous perspectives and experiences. By embracing both Indigenous and Western research methods, she seeks to promote a more inclusive and equitable path toward the well-being and resilience of Indigenous peoples.

Sharnel's research interests lie in intergenerational trauma and resiliency strategies for Alaska Native (AN) and Indigenous people. Throughout her career, she aims to collaborate with Alaska tribal health organizations on research projects identifying culturally relevant resiliency strategies for AN individuals, ultimately breaking the cycles of trauma for families.

Outside of her professional life, Sharnel treasures her time with her family in Anchorage, enjoying activities like traveling, playing outdoors, or simply relaxing at home. She is also an avid basketball player and seizes every opportunity to hit the court.

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Research Project: The Social Validity of Qualitative Data Collection Methods with Alaska Native People: Comparing Focus Groups and Talking Circles

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Dissertation: Lingít Legacy of Resilience: Exploring the Role of Traditional Child-rearing Practices Using Critical Indigenous Research and Transformative Grounded Theories