Presentations
Dating Violence Prevention Among Emerging Adults
Marley Herard and Lillie Macias
Among young adults, past experiences with trauma can influence risk, while media exposure can reinforce unhealthy relationship attitudes (Friedlander et al., 2013). The study used a mixed method, correlational survey design to recruit young adults from across the. United States. A deductive thematic analysis explored media exposure for individuals with healthy vs. unhealthy dating violence attitudes. Even when considering varying levels of adjustment to emerging adulthood, individuals with a history of ACEs may be at heightened risk for dating violence. Findings inform dating violence prevention on college campuses and in community practice with an emphasis on psychoeducation and guidelines for healthy media consumption.
Climate and Social Class: Enriching Collective Action for Sustainable Practices
Gauri D. Birmole and Melissa L. Whitson
This interactive discussion focused on identifying methods that ensure commitment and collaborative action from stakeholders across ecological levels. Discussion questions included: While promoting alternative resources, how can interventions be mindful of existing inequalities and reduce the burden on the public to adapt? What are some ways
commitment can be ensured from governments and private industries? Based on the varying awareness in communities and industries, how should we approach environmental literacy? Apart from literacy, what other resources can be provided for
adapting to these changes? More focused policies and advocacy initiatives can mediate differences in communication between multiple agents of change, generate strategies for community participation, and secure accountability from crucial decision
makers.
Interactive Discussion: Bridging Faculty and Students Perspectives on Accessibility and
Accommodations
Dr. Melissa Whitson and Amanda Mele
For some faculty, the need to accommodate students has drastically increased their workloads. There is a tension between structure (as part of equitable course design and student engagement) vs. logistical requirements that erect barriers to accessibility. How can we make our courses and programs cognitively challenging while also enacting accommodations and requirements that enhance accessibility (Gannon, 2023)? What types of structural changes are needed?
Complementary Interventions for Trauma and Burnout
Dr. Lillianne Macias and Juliana R. Held
Questions posed during this table discussion included: How can mindfulness and bodywork promote healing and inform training for individuals working with trauma? How can we shift the focus on individual responsibility for self-care to group and organizational culture? Participants will be encouraged to share knowledge of culturally responsive and gender affirming practices for the safety, empowerment, inclusion, and trust of all those participating in mindfulness-based activities and body work (Duane et al., 2019)
Symposium: Culturally Responsive Gender-Based Violence Research and Prevention
Practice
Dr. Lillianne Macias, Jasmin Garcia, Marley Herard, Amanda Mele
This symposium highlights trauma-informed methods of engaging Latine and other marginalized populations in research and equity-focused prevention practice. Across the four presentations, students and researchers explore considerations for culturally responsive, participatory research methods and training as part of the university community research partnership.
Interactive Discussion: Post-Traumatic Growth after Natural Disasters: the Role of Social Support
Yasmeen Najjar and Kelsey A. McDonnell
Current students and core lab members guided the following discussion questions: What is the role of the different ecological levels in enhancing social support systems for child victims of natural disasters? What kind of interventions are needed to facilitate post-traumatic growth in children?
Presentation: Gender and Sexism Effects on Juror Sentencing Gun Violence Cases
Hunter Clark and Patrick McGrady
Interactive Discussion: Translating U.S. Practices for Immigrant Youth Mental Health in Austria
Alberta Sinani and Dr. Melissa L. Whitson
Alberta, current student and core lab member encouraged participants to consider how programs within American marginalized communities can be adopted in European cultures, where remedies to social inequalities rely heavily on the welfare state itself and the potential of community work is often overlooked.
Poster Presentation: Preventing the Transmission of Adverse Childhood Experiences through Generations
Kelsey A. McDonnell
19th Biennial Conference of the Society of Community Research and Action (June 2023) (APA Div 27)
A CORE Lab member, Lily Hoerner presented a poster on “Building trauma-informed support networks to promote wellness in correctional communities: A Narrative Review of combining Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs) and peer-facilitated interventions in prisons.”
Additionally, CP Coordinator Dr. Whitson chaired a symposium on “Using Participatory Action Research as an Undergraduate Teaching Strategy: 4 Examples and Lessons Learned,” which included presentations by Dr. Whitson and Dr. Lillie Macias,
CP alumnus Kaylyn A. Garcia (Taylor) and her colleague Sara Grace Frary from University of South Carolina, Drs. Yuki Okubo and Michele Schlehofer from Salisbury University, and Dr. Noemi Enchautegui-De-Jesus of American University (pic below of Kaylyn and Sarah Grace presenting). Overall it was a great week at the conference and we are so proud of our CORE Lab members, alumni, and faculty.
Recent alum Azza Hussein and Dr. Lillie Macias presented as part of a symposium on “Trauma-informed Listening Sessions and Photovoice with Marginalized Communities: Applications for Community Practice.” Program alumnus Krista Grajo and Dr. Macias also presented a talk titled “Cultural considerations for fatality reviews and intimate partner homicide prevention.”
Right after that Julia joined Dr. Lillie Macias, current student Hunter Clark, and Nancy Nava from Esperanza United to present a symposium on “Fostering Restorative Practice and Programs for Men in the Field of Gender-based Violence.”
Recent Alum and member of the CORE Lab (Community-Oriented Research and Evaluation) Julia LeFrancois, M.A. who gave an amazing presentation with Dr. Macias and Mary Lippa on “Examining Gender-based Violence through the Lens of Disability Justice.”
Student presenters were members of the CORE Lab (Community, Oriented Research and Evaluation). Students who presented included: Julia Guarniere Lily Hoerner Hunter Clark and Cassie Landry
Alumni who presented included: Kaylyn A. Garcia (Taylor) Mayah Williams, MA Azza Hussein and Krista Grajo.
Julia Guarniere presented her poster: “Community-Based Intervention Mitigating Malnutrition in Elder Care Facilities.”
Cassie Landry presented a poster on her honors thesis: “The Role of Gender and Self-Silencing in the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Juvenile Delinquency.”
Dr. Macias received the award for Outstanding Contributions in Mentorship for Racial Justice Award which was presented by new alumnus Julia LeFrancois, M.A.
American Evaluation Conference (2022)
Leveraging Technology to Center Marginalized Communities in Evaluation Practice (Dr. Lillie Macias, Krista Grajo, Rasheeda O’Connor, Jordyn Beschel, Julia LeFrancois, & Nancy Nava )
Winter Roundtable (2022)
Leveraging Infographics in Research Communication to Address Health Disparities (Rasheeda O’Connor, Krista Grajo, Jordyn Beschel, & Dr. Lillie Macias)
Empowering BIPOC Youth Through a Virtual Photovoice Program (Jordyn Beschel, Krista Grajo, & Dr. Lillie Macias)
Storytelling Research as a Liberatory Methodology for BIPOC Communities (Julia LeFrancois & Dr. Mellisa Whitson)
Barriers to Wellbeing and Sources of Resilience among Immigrant Communities (Krista Grajo & Azza Hussein)
Activating Non-Clinical Micro-system Supports in Recovery (Peter van Buren)
Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) 2021
ACES: Associations with Substance Use, Coping, and Mental Health Services in College Students (Patrick O’Neil)
Individual and Collective Healing Through Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapies (Jordyn Beschel, Krista Grajo, & Rasheeda O’Connor)
LGBTQ Youth Suicidality: Trends, Risk Factors, and Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Rebekah Stafford, Olufunke Benson, & Danielle)
Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) 2018
Community-Research Partnerships to Eliminate Domestic Violence in Underserved Communities
Trauma: The Trauma Model (Carsin Conner, Aida Morales, Rachel Caffey, & Erinn Webb)
Music Haven 101: The Benefits of an Afterschool Music Program for Low-Income, Urban Elementary School Students
Publications
Benson, O. M., & Whitson, M. L. (2022). The protective role of sense of community and access to resources on college student stress and Covid-19-Related Daily Life Disruptions. Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22817
Macias, R.L., Nava, N., Delgadillo, D., Beschel, J., & Kuperminc, G. (2022). Finding voice in a year of collective trauma: findings from a national photovoice project. American Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12630
Macias, R.L., LeBron, A., Taylor, K, & Silva, M. (2020). Después de la Tormenta: Collective trauma and community response following hurricane Maria. Journal of Community
