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Michael Poulakis, doctoral students publish article in JIASS

April 13, 2018 in Applause

Michael Poulakis

Michael Poulakis, assistant professor in the College of Applied Behavioral Sciences, was second author for an article published with fellow University of Indianapolis alumni and current doctorate students.

“African-American students’ perceptions of influential factors for attendance in doctoral psychology” was published at JIASS, Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences. The first author is Dr. Jeff Vergo, PsyD. The other authors are Dr. Mixalis Poulakis, PsyD (94, 98,02), TJ Lesher, MA, Samreen Khondker, MSc, Pansorn Benyasut, BA and Sebastian Del Corral Winder, BA.

Abstract: This study explores African-American undergraduate students’ perceptions of factors influencing their decision to attend doctoral programs in psychology. The study found that issues related to African-American representation and research as well as the presence of financial aid are highly relevant in students’ evaluation of which doctoral programs they would prefer to attend. This information will pave the way for further studies focusing on how to increase the number of African-American students in doctoral programs around the country.

Dr. Vergo (2010,MA 2016 PsyD) graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in Clinical Psychology. He currently works at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Healthcare Center in North Chicago where he treats veterans in their residential PTSD program. His research interests include minority mental health, providing psychological care to traditionally underserved populations, and graduate training in psychology.

Dr. Mixalis Poulakis, Psy.D. (1994, BA, 1998, MA, 2002 PsyD) is an assistant professor at the University of Indianapolis, School of Psychological Sciences. Dr. Poulakis graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in Clinical Psychology. His research interests lie in the areas of Multiculturalism, Addictions, South Asian Psychology, and LGBT issues.

TJ Lesher (2016, MA) graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a MA degree in Clinical Psychology. She is currently a doctoral candidate for the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Indianapolis. Her research interests include addictions, law enforcement, and offender populations.

Samreen Khondker, M.Sc. graduated from Middlesex University London with a Masters degree in Applied Psychology. She is a currently a doctoral candidate for the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Indianapolis. Her research interests include multicultural psychology, neuropsychology and psychometric testing.

Pansorn Benyasut, B.A. is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Indianapolis. She is currently working on her dissertation on the barriers of help seeking in Thai international students in the United States. Her research interests include multicultural issues in counseling, coping and resilience, and psychotherapeutic processes and outcomes.

Sebastián Del Corral Winder, B.A. is a doctoral candidate for the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Indianapolis. He immigrated to the United States from Chile in 2013. His research interests include multiculturalism in mental health, therapeutic alliance, and trauma in children.