Currently, I am employed as the Research Assistant for The Consultation Center at Yale, the Graduate Assistant under Dr. Petro at the University of Hartford, and an adjunct instructor at the University of New Haven. I am available to interpret upon request.
My work is dedicated to feminist, gender and ethnic studies, disability justice, and embodied narratives related to body-image and trauma. Previously, I worked as a sign language interpreter wherein I specialized in postsecondary education and mental health and have been active in the Deaf community since 2012. My goal is to integrate my experiences and training into a social justice-centered approach to clinical community psychological services.
Clinical Experience
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
University of New Haven
Community Wellness Advocate (2022-2023)
Supervisor: Sam Kent, M.A., LPC – Clinician II
- Promoted and recruited participants for peer-led support groups on campus
- Engaged in regular individual supervision meetings to gain and improve clinical skills
- Participated in group supervision with all CAPS supervisors and peer Community Wellness Advocates for collective growth and learning
Initiated Body Talks: Conversation Series
- Established Body Talks, a unique weekly peer-led support group, as a creative and personally driven initiative that provided a safe space for participants to engage in candid discussions about body-neutrality and body-image-related trauma. This innovative series was introduced to CAPS supervisors and offered as a platform for empowering conversations on these important topics among campus community members.
Clinically-Related Employment
The Consultation Center at Yale (TCC)
Research Assistant II (2023-present)
Supervisors: Joy Kaufman, Ph.D. and Amy Griffin, M.A.
- General research support services:
- Oversee project data collection for interdisciplinary and capacity-building evaluations within a mental health facility serving the local community
- Take a lead role in report writing and spearhead data visualization and product designs
- Present workshops and demonstrations of specialized skills to Yale faculty and TCC affiliates
- Actively engage in disseminating research findings to community members, ensuring accessibility and relevance of evaluation results
- CONNECT Initiative (Dr. Kaufman):
- Manage and report quantitative data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) SPARS website
- Ensure data accuracy and GPRA Modernization Act compliance for the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) grant
- Utilize National Outcome Measures (NOMs) to establish consistent metrics across SAMHSA programs
- Evaluate training programs for Connect to Care Program Care Coordinators, assessing program effectiveness
- Conduct comprehensive reviews of training satisfaction and provide feedback in evaluation reports to enhance training program
- CONNECT is a collaborative effort to provide effective and equitable care to children with severe behavioral and mental health needs and was established in response to the Sandy Hook tragedy. It now offers wraparound support from early intervention to behavioral health recovery, involving state and local agencies, service providers, and partners like CHDI, FAVOR, DCF, and more. The Consultation Center, Inc. contributes to monitoring and evaluating the CONNECT initiative
- Evaluation for emme coalition (Ms. Griffin)
- Work centers on identifying strengths, challenges, and organizational contributions
- Co-evaluator and lead report writer for the evaluation of the emme program
- Assess the effectiveness of the program’s reproductive and relationship health education and support for women and young women in Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Collaboration with OPTIMUS Healthcare and Fairfield County’s Community Foundation (FCCF)
- Examine program expansion, staff development, and the significance of community connections for the overarching goal of program sustainability
- Social Equity and Inclusion (SEI) Workgroup – Community Engagement and Partnerships (CEP) Subcommittee member
- Collaborate with the SEI Workgroup develop internal newsletters equipped with on-brand data visualizations and resources
- Coordinate with TCC-backed volunteer events and establish community-based partnerships to strengthen organizational ties
- Plan fundraisers to help build evaluation capacity through community fairs and pro-bono trainings
- Develop a directory of staff pro-bono activities to contribute to community outreach and solicit diverse voices on SEI topics
National Resource Center of Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
Research Consultant II (Summer 2023)
Supervisors: Oyesola Oluwafunmilayo Ayeni, Ph.D.
- General research support services:
- Managed and executed community-based research and evaluation projects
- Coordinated logistics for the Linguistic Justice Workgroup, an assembly of practitioners and researchers dedicated to language justice for their communities
- Organized and managed quantitative and qualitative data
- Conducted technical assistance and training (TTA) duties
- Facilitated effective communication between community partners
- Black Immigrant and Refugee Housing Project
- Led and coordinated all aspects of project, collaboration with community experts and survivor participants, and authorship of evaluation report
- Project aimed at developing policy recommendations to improve the housing options for Black immigrant and refugee survivors of gender-based violence
- Conducted key informant interviews with participants across multiple agencies
Esperanza United – National resource center on domestic violence
Graduate Assistant (2021-2023)
Supervisors: Lillie Macias, Ph.D., Grant: HHS-90EV0431
- General research support services:
- Project coordinator and research leader for multiple mixed-methods studies
- Trained undergraduate assistants in research procedures
- Performed comprehensive literature reviews
- Conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses
- Collaborated on co-authorship of peer-reviewed articles
- Restorative Approaches for Partner Violence
- A mixed-method study involving qualitative interviews with restorative justice experts with the aim of fostering collaborative police-community and marginalized youth-educational leader relations
- Uncovered key themes highlighting relationship-building, rehabilitation, and humanization in restorative practices
- Findings offered actionable insights for addressing domestic violence complexities within the realm of restorative justice
Fairfield University College Corps
Lead Facilitator (Summer 2021)
Supervisors: Terri Williams, Ph.D.
- General research support services:
- Developed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging training materials
- Led individual and group training sessions with the aim of assisting K-12 students in their post-COVID-19 transition back to educational environments
- Created and distributed original training materials to enrich training sessions
Teaching Experience
University of New Haven
Adjunct Faculty (2023-present)
Department of Psychology
- Teaching Approach: Includes a self-designed Care Praxis with an emphasis on inclusion, accessibility, and decolonizing practices within academia.
- Courses taught: Introduction to Sociology – Includes developing course syllabi, creating assignments and assessments, conducting all course meetings, and providing guidance and feedback to undergraduate students’ submitted material.
Academic Assistantships
University of Hartford
Graduate Assistant (2023-present)
Supervisors: Jennifer Petro, GIPP Program Director, Ph.D.
- Support Program Director with program-related research, updates, and initiatives
- Develop original needs assessments to gather student feedback on GIPP website to identify areas needed for program success and accessibility
- Maintain and update program materials, documentation, and resources for accuracy and relevance according to program policies and procedures
- Engage in regular meetings to discuss program goals and disseminating updates
University of New Haven
Dean of Students Graduate Assistant (2021-2023)
Supervisors: Dean Ophelie Rowe-Allen, Ed.D. and Dean Ric Baker, Ed.D. (Dean of Students Office)
- Managed university-wide data, enhancing organization and accessibility across departments and on behalf of various staff
- Designed and implemented inclusive marketing initiatives to promote antiracist and improved campus culture
- Conducted office administrative duties to ensure efficient operations
- Supported the Title IX coordinator in training and investigation data management
- Assisted department staff in various student-related projects and tasks
Specialized Skills
| Language Skills | Data Analysis Tools | Software Proficiency |
| American Sign Language (ASL) – Fluent | SPSS | Qualtrics |
| Spanish – Conversationally Proficient | Excel | Microsoft Suite |
| NVivo | Adobe Suite | |
| Delve | Canva – Data Visualizations | |
| SPARS | Word Press – Web Design |
Volunteer Interpreting
Please contact me for access needs.
Scheherazade Project
Organize recruitment of volunteers and caption project videos for public access. Initial goal of the project was to encourage voters in the 2020 Presidential election and to feature womxn and nonbinary artist’s work on social media platforms. The continued work of the project is to continue featuring diverse artists and educating folks on social change.
Find the project website here.
AdeRisa Productions
Manage interpreting services for film rehearsals, production, and post-production events. On-site language and culture consultant for projects and events.
Find film lists, awards, and contact info here.