In honor of Graduate Student Appreciation week, we’re featuring the hard work each of our graduate students devotes their time to every day as they work to expand their knowledge of youth and community development. FYCS graduate students dedicate themselves to bettering their communities and discovering new ways to support them. Read more to learn about the specific interests and accomplishments of each graduate student.
Ketia Blanc
Ketia is a PhD student in the Youth Development and Family Science (YDFS) program. Her dissertation is focused on exploring motherhood during early childhood while serving in the U.S. military. Some of her research interests include: early childhood studies, cultural cheerleading, and parent-child dynamics.
“Joy comes from the journey and glory comes from the goal.”
Alisa Aston
Alisa joined FYCS in the Fall of 2023.
My current research is exploring the mechanisms of social prescribing activities (arts, nature, and volunteering) on college student mental health.
“Live so that when your children think of integrity, they think of you.”
Jayla Cooper
Jayla embarked on her graduate program journey to deepen her understanding of nonprofit organizations. During this time, she’s acquired valuable skills in grant writing, program design, and even successfully submitted grants for the organizations she works for. She feels this experience has been immensely impactful in her work with youth and families.
“Your legacy is every life you’ve touched.” – Maya Angelou
Yara Mohammed
My current research is based on my job, which is pediatric population with muscular dystrophy. I am interested in immigrant adolescents’ mental health, specifically, factors related to adolescents’ identity development and well-being. I am also interested in parenting, family dynamics, acculturation among immigrant populations, and bridging intergenerational gaps. I will use machine learning to predict vulnerability and protective factors, develop therapeutic and preventive programs, and inform policy.
“Science in service of immigrant families across generations.”
Liz Kane
Liz joined FYCS in Fall 2024.
My research focuses on understanding the structural conditions that allow nonprofits to adapt, sustain, and effectively serve communities. I am particularaly interested in the connection between nonprofit governance and financial performance and sustainability.
“If you get, give. If you learn, teach.”
Kenzie Jacques
Kenzie is attending graduate school in the hope of one day serving in a leadership role within a nonprofit organization. After graduating, she plans to obtain a Graduate Certificate in Student Affairs Administration. She envisions herself in a leadership position within higher education or a community organization.
“Own your journey.”
Josie Bryan
The overarching goal of Josie’s research is to advance understanding of adolescent digital media engagement and mental health outcomes, with a special focus on perceptions of mattering to inform innovative, context-sensitive prevention strategies. Drawing on frameworks such as compensatory internet use theory and ecological systems theory, she uses advances quantitative methodologies, including longitudinal designs and ecological momentary assessments, to identify dynamic, multilevel pathways that reduce risk for depression and suicidality among adolescents.
“I lead with evidence and empathy so the systems around youth can do the same.”
Sara Mobeck
Sara is pursuing graduate studies in FYCS because she is passionate about supporting individuals and youth in overcoming challenges and improving their overall well-being. She is especially interested in interventions that promote resilience, mental health, and positive development. After graduation, Sara hopes to work in human services where she can make a meaningful impact by helping youth and families navigate difficult situations and build healthier futures.
“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Grace Park
Grace is a Spging 2026 graduate with a Master’s of Science in Family, Youth and Community Sciences. Grace is interested in examining the risk and protective factors of parenting practices on youth mental health and well-being across the life course. Specifically, she has investigates parental warmth and harshness, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), positive functioning, and anxiety and depression. Grace is graduating this Spring.
“Through her work, Grace hopes to strengthen parent-child relationships through family-based prevention programs and support healthy long-term development in adolescents and emerging adults.”
Zixiao Yang
Zixiao joined FYCS in Fall 2025. My research centers on youth mental health and child well-being. I am interested in exploring how developmental outcomes are shaped by various environmental factors. Specifically, I apply quantitative methods and machine-learning techniques to evaluate the impact of anti-poverty policies such as tax credits on mitigating community violence exposures and closing developmental gaps.
“All models are wrong, but some are useful.”
Paola Sullivan
Paola Jaramillo Sullivan’s research focuses broadly on youth and emerging adult well-being within complex social and digital environments. Her work examines mental health outcomes (e.g. depression, anxiety, loneliness), social and environmental determinants of well-being (e.g. campus climate, financial stress, belonging, peer support), and protective systems that foster flourishing and resilience across ecological contexts. She also investigates youth narratives of well-being and community resilience, positive digital communication among youth (e.g. digital balance, digital flourishing), community online spaces, and methodological approaches to studying mental health disparities (e.g. machines learning, multilevel modeling, and community based qualitative research).
“Quisieron enterrarnos, pero no sabían que éramos semillas.” (“They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.”)
Stephanie McKinley
Stephanie chose to pursue graduate school to grow as an educator and create stronger, more meaningful learning experiences for students. She is passionate about helping young people understand agriculture and its role in their everyday lives. After graduation, Stephanie hopes to continue building educational programs for youth that inspire curiousity, connection, and real-world understanding.
“Teach them where it comes from, and they’ll understand why it matters.”
Miniya McNair
Miniya joined FYCS in 2025.
My research focuses on sports youth development programs and the best methods to build character and enhance their resilience skills. This includes engaging communities that have historically been kept from participating in less accessible sports like golf or tennis.
“I want to create an environment where a young athlete is never the “only” in the room.”
Xiaoyang Jin
My current research focuses on adolescent mental health and the ways everyday experiences and environment shape well-being. I am especially interested in differential susceptibility. I also use tools such as natural language processing and GPS-based data to better understand real-time behaviors, mobility, and context in adolescents’ daily lives.
“There are always more solutions than difficulties”
Carley Lutzow
Carley is a Spring 2026 graduate with a Ph.D. in Youth Development and Family Sciences.
My research centers on identifying the key determinants that shape nutrition behaviors among collegiate female cross-country athletes, with the goal of advancing strategies that promote healthy, sustainable eating patterns. My research interests include qualitative and mixed-method approaches, behavior change and theory, program planning and evaluation, and athlete health and well-being.
“From challenge grows perseverance, and from perseverance, the courage to pursue your passion.”
Ekaterina Knudsen
Ekaterina is a Spring 2026 graduate with a Master’s of Science in Family, Youth and Community Sciences
My research focuses on the online sexual victimization (OSV) of adolescents. I am interested in risk factors and pathways for OSV, as well as the lived experiences and resilience of survivors, and the role of parents and caregivers in prevention/intervention efforts.
“My work is a commitment to turn evidence into empathy, and empathy into systems that help youth thrive.”
Dea Sims
Dea feels that the FYCS Online MS program has been a great fit for her. She came to the program specifically to learn best practices for the nonprofit sector, and she feels she truly learned from the best. Dea wishes to thank her professors for supporting her work
“Ancora imparo.” (“I am still learning”) – Michelangelo
Meghan Campbell
Megan’s research interests include making agriculture more accessible for Black youth. She will graduate in Spring 2027.
“Whether this one was that one… or that one was this one or which one was what one… or what one was who.”
Ola Lawal
My research focuses on substance use among adolescents and emerging adults. I am particularly interested in identifying multilevel risk and protective factors that shape substance use behaviors and translating this knowledge into more effective prevention and intervention strategies.
“I hope to use research not only to understand problems but to help create pathways for healing prevention and lasting change.”
Heather Corey
Heather is pursuing her graduate degree to strengthen her ability to lead and grow mission-driven organizations that serve vulnerable children and families. Her academic focus in nonprofit organization development allows her to align real-world leadership experience with evidence-based practices in sustainability, fundraising, and community impact. After graduation, Heather hopes to continue leading innovative programs while helping other nonprofits grow and thrive.
“Serve with purpose, lead with compassion, and never underestimate the power for showing up for those who need it most.”
Chance Dyer
Chance joined the Youth Development and Family Sciences doctoral program in Fall 2025.
My current research focuses on student teachers in undergraduate preparation programs. Specifically, we are focusing on causes of burnout and how public service motivation (PSM) is a protective factor. Additionally, I am looking at this from the perspective of the Family Stress Theory (ABC-X/Double ABC-X Models).
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Melody Council
Melody is in graduate school to intensify the connection between her personal experience and higher education to further her commitment to protecting children and strengthening families.
“The test of progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Eryan Johnson
Eryan joined the Youth Development and Family Sciences doctoral program in Fall 2024.
My research examines identity-based nonprofits and explores the role of human resource management in influencing staff well-being. Grounded in community psychology and public administration frameworks, my research integrates clinical expertise with community-engaged research practices to promote sustainable, healing-centered outcomes. My ultimate aim is to offer practical insights and inform organizational strategies for strengthening workforce sustainability in marginalized-serving organizations.
“If the goal was to increase the love rather than winning or dominating a constant opponent, I think we could actually imagine liberation from constant oppression.”
Karen McGilvery
Karen joined FYCS in Fall 2025.
My current research in the Nonprofit and Advocacy Lab focuses on food safety education, administrative burden in air travel, and screening participants in qualitative methodology for bots or other potential exclusion criteria. My personal research interests include youth development and prosocial interpersonal relationships, and finding ways to enhance skills to build safe, meaningful connections. In this vein, I am interested in the roles of socializing influences like peers, family, and technology, including AI.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Aprile Mueller
Aprile is in graduate school to better understand how to support students’ development and mental health across both academics and athletics. Aprile’s goal is to become a teacher who serves as a positive, guiding presence, and someone students feel safe turning to for support. She aims to develop programs within schools that challenge the stigma around mental health and create lasting systems of support for young people.
“The work is always worth it”
Dairys Montes De Oca
My research focuses on improving how nonprofit and community-based programs support vulnerable populations, especially children and families. I am particularly interested in food insecurity, volunteer training, and how to increase engagement and effectiveness in service delivery. Overall, my work aims to strengthen program outcomes through better training, evaluation, and understanding of participant behavior.
“Impact isn’t just what we give. It’s what continues because we showed others how.”
Isabella Alobele
My research explores extension agent training and the community-based implementation of the taste of culture program. I examine agent readiness to deliver nutrition education and assess how program participation influences health outcomes among adult learners. This work aims to strengthen extension programming that supports preventative health.
“I am committed to translating research into preventative strategies that improve nutrition behaviors and health outcomes.”
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