About the Department of Psychology
"Let our collective action tell the story of our Department’s determination and commitment to our students ... and affirm the right of our Department to exist and to develop students to their fullest potential" - (O. Miller, 2010).
Departmental Goals: The Department of Psychology strives to...
- 1.) Define African psychological experiences from an African-centered perspective.
- 2.) In student training, provide experiences to increase self-knowledge and self-acceptance through an examination of our collective past, present and future.
- 3.) Prepare graduates of whom a large majority pursue and complete Ph.D. degrees.
- 4.) Prepare graduates of whom a large majority demonstrate self-acceptance which extends to the acceptance of others and the uplifting of our community.
Our Esteemed Faculty
Faculty & Staff
Yolanda K.H. Bogan, Ph.D.,
Directer of College Research and Assessment, Internship Coordinator
(Office Hours)
RANK: Professor
AREA: Clinical Psychology EDUCATION:
Dr. Bogan received her bachelor’s degree from Emory University. She holds both a master’s and doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Georgia and completed her internship at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She received a certificate in mixed methods research from the University of Michigan.
EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Yolanda K.H. Bogan is a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Supervisor in the State of Florida. She has over thirty years of experience working in outpatient, inpatient, faith-based, and higher education counseling settings. She is Director Emeritus of the FAMU Office of Counseling Services.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Dr. Bogan has been the PI or Co-PI for over $5,000,000 in external funds for Florida A&M University from federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Office of Women’s Health, and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration. She is currently the co-principal investigator of a mixed-methods research project focused on Rural Black Women Veterans funded by the Veterans Administration Office of Rural Health. For thirty years, she has studied, supervised and provided therapy services related to women’s issues including depression, sexual assault, substance abuse and women’s health. She is a black feminist researcher and the former director of the FAMU Women’s Center and FAMU Project Safe. She is a member of the Association of Black Psychologists, the American Psychological Association (Divisions 5 and 45) and an Emeritus member of the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors.
PUBLICATIONS:
- Bogan, Y.K.H., Wells-Wilbon, R. & Porter, R. et al. (2022). #IAmMeToo: Considering African-Centered Strategies for Sexual Assault Survivors. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon & Anthony Estreet (Eds). Trauma and Mental Health Social Work with Urban Populations: African Centered Clinical Interventions. Routledge.
- Bogan, Y. & Ciceron, M. (2022). Improving Cultural Competence with African American Clients, Florida Psychologist, Summer, 24-25.
- Bogan, Y.K.H. (2022). The examination of sexual assault in America for African women and girls in colonial America: history, myths and movements that minimize sexual assault. Huberta Jackson-Lowman (Ed.) Afrikan American Women: Living at the Crossroads of Race, Gender, Class and Culture: Second Edition. Cognella.
- Bogan, Y. (2021). Best practices in culturally competent care. National Alliance of Mental Illness The Advocate, 19(2), 14-15.
- Bogan, Y.K.H. (2019). Review of Screening, Assessment and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 16(6), 691-692. DOI:10.1080/26408066.2019.1676357
- Hinton, T., Bogan, Y., & Li, H. (2018). Spending behaviors, cultural identity, and mindfulness of African American college students: Implications for financial stress and depression. Psychotherapy Bulletin, 53(3), 36-41. https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/spending-cultural-depression/
- Golden, A., Bogan, Y.K.H., Brown, L., Onwukwe, O.W.H. & Stewart, S. (2017). Faculty Mentoring: Applying Social Work/Ecological Theory to Practice at HBCUs. Journal of Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 27(5), 487-497. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2017.1279097
Presentations:
- Bogan, Y.K.H., Hale-Gallardo, J. & Dailey, N.(2023). Enlisting Cultural Humility to Enhance Health Equity Research on Diverse Teams. American Psychological Association (Division of Military Psychology).
- Bogan, Y.K.H. (2023). Culturally Competent Treatment for First Episode Psychosis. University of Washington FEP ECHO Clinic.
- Bogan, Y.K.H. & Brooks, R. (2022). Engagement of Connected Healers and Healing using African-centered approaches for Sexual Assault Trauma. Association of Black Psychology Conference.
- Bogan, Y.K.H. (2021). The Impact of HBCUs on the Learning Environment of African American Midshipmen. American Psychological Association Annual Conference (Division of Military Psychology).
- Bogan, Y. K.H. (2021). The Value of Prevention in the Successful Practice. National Alliance of Mental Illness Annual Conference 2021.
- Bogan, Y.K.H., & Li, H. (March, 2021). Acting and Thinking Differently: Culturally Competent Treatment for Psychosis: Part 2. New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network.
- Bogan, Y.K. H. (February, 2021). Culturally competent treatment for African Americans experiencing psychosis. National Association of African American Studies.
- Bogan, Y.K. H. (February, 2021). Key initial findings of the impact of HBCUs on the learning environment of African American midshipmen. National Association of African American Studies Annual Conference.
- Bogan, Y.K.H., & Li, H. (December, 2020). Acting and Thinking Differently: Culturally Competent Treatment for Psychosis. New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network.
Interesting Facts:
Dr. Bogan is a fifth generation Floridian who married her college sweetheart. She is a proud mother of three sons. She loves spending time with her family, reading, traveling, chocolate and spending time with her two labradoodles, Darcie and Willow.
Nkechinyelum A. Chioneso, Ph.D.
RANK: Assistant Professor
AREA: Community Psychology
Jermaine Robertson, Ph.D.,
Department Chair
(Office Hours)
RANK: Associate Professor
AREA: Clinical Psychology
EDUCATION:
Dr. Robertson is also a licensed psychologist in the state of Florida, and the current Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi), North Florida chapter president, ABPsi rituals committee co-chair, and ABPsi Southern Regional Representative. Dr Robertson has guided and advised many undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, many of whom are currently in doctorate programs in psychology or who have gone on to receive their doctorate degrees and or are doing intervention, prevention, and healing work in the African Black community.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
Dr. Amber Golden, Ph.D.
RANK: Visiting Professor
AREA: Community Psychology, Family Relations, Program Evaluation
EDUCATION:
After graduating from Howard University’s Department of Psychology (‘94), Dr. Golden went on to earn a Master’s in Community Psychology from Florida A&M University (‘97). She sought to further her training to pursue her deep-seated interest in improving mental health and well-being in the African American community with the incorporation of the arts, particularly dances of the African Diaspora. Dr. Golden returned to school and earned a Doctorate (‘06) from Florida State University in Family Relations with emphases in Marriage and Family Therapy, Measurement and Statistics, and Program Evaluation. Most recently, Dr. Golden completed the terminal degree in Choreography (MFA, 2019) from Jacksonville University. The programmatic focus was on the use of the emerging research method Practice As Research (PAR).
EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Golden began her career as a home-based therapist and transitioned into Program Evaluation for the State of Florida Department of Children and Families Substance Abuse and Mental Health Offices. Dr. Golden taught in Florida A&M University’s Department of Psychology for eight years. She has also worked in corporate Program Evaluation settings where she consulted with nonprofits and government entities to improve policy to address health disparities and increase health equity for communities of color.
Dr. Golden is currently conducting research for the Congressional Black Caucus and the Association of Black Psychologists to assess the needs and impact of COVID-19 on the Black community. She is also a certified facilitator of Emotional Emancipation Circles™ (EEC). EECs are designed to assist people of African descent in beginning and deepening the healing process from the deleterious, intergeneration effects of systemic racism.
ROLE(S):
Dr. Golden is currently a Visiting Professor for the 2020-2021 academic term. She is working with various departmental committees to support the departmental assessment plan and the development of online programs. During her previous terms, she has served on master’s thesis committees and mentored graduate and undergraduate students.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Dr. Golden is deeply interested in expanding access to mental health and wellness information in communities of color. Her current research is on a needs & strengths assessment on the impact of COVID-19 in the Black community. Past research includes spirituality as a moderator of stress and the role of socio-cultural relationships on identity exploration. She is interested in the use of the arts as both an access point for increased self-understanding, but also a method of community engagement in discussing and identifying community level solutions to address various mental health and wellness issues that impact our lives and families.
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
(Office Hours)
RANK: Assistant Professor
AREA: Educational Psychology (with a sub-specialty in Industrial/Organizational Psychology)
EDUCATION:
After completing her undergraduate degree at Jackson State University and MBA from
Strayer University, Dr. Johnson earned a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Educational
Psychology from Howard University. Dr. Johnson also completed a dual doctoral internship
as a researcher at the Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute of the United Negro
College Fund (UNCF) Inc., and the Educational Research Service (ERS) where she co-authored a
book on “What We Know About: Culture and Learning.”
EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Johnson has extensive experience working with corporate companies such as IBM,
Loral, and Lockheed Martin in various positions including Program Management and Small
Business Mentorship. She began her teaching career as an adjunct professor at Howard
University. Since then, Dr. Johnson has taught in various higher education settings.
She has over 15 years of experience teaching in higher education having worked as
a Psychology Professor, Department Chair, Assistant Dean, and Doctoral Dissertation
Chair. Dr. Johnson is very passionate about teaching and learning. She is student-centered
and genuinely focused on giving back to her students and the community.
Dr. Johnson is seeking serious and highly motivated graduate thesis students and active
research assistants.
ROLE(S):
Dr. Johnson joined the Department of Psychology at FAMU in Fall 2019. She is excited
about working with the students, faculty, community stakeholders and actively serving
the Department of Psychology.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Dr. Johnson’s research interests are synergistic with her teaching pedagogy. She is
actively involved in research on classroom dynamics and the classroom learning environment,
primarily from the student’s voice. Her research interests include factors which influence
the classroom learning environment and classroom dynamics such as: culture and learning,
online and face-to-face learning, sleep deprivation and learning, stress and learning,
group dynamics, student learning preferences, innovative teaching strategies, teacher
characteristics, and social media and learning.
PUBLICATIONS:
- Singleton, G. & Johnson, L. (2025). Warrior Woman: An Examination of the Relationship Between the Superwoman Schema, Emotion Regulation, and PTSD Symptoms in African American Women. Siyabonana. Journal of Africana Studies Special Issue: African-centered Psychology: Places and Spaces We’ve Been and Future Possibilities.
- Clinkscales, C., Johnson, L., Huang, H. & Li, H. (2025). Treated as an Adult: Parentification. Psychological Health, Academic Motivation, Stress, and Coping among African American Young Adults. International Journal of AfriKan/ Black Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies (IJABPIS). ISBN 9798385174485.
- Johnson, L. (2024). Social Media Use (SMU) Intensity and Wellbeing. National Social Science Technology Journal (12)1, 144-173.
- Singleton, G., Li, H., Johnson, L., & Singleton, N. (2022). COVID-19 Related Anxiety: How do Coping and Optimism Relate to Substance Use in African American Young Adults? Journal of Community Psychology, 51(6), p.2390-2407. doi: 10.1002/jcop.22863
- Johnson, L., Tani, N., & Robertson, J. (2021). A Comparison of HBCU Students’ Academic Performance and Perceptions of Course Modalities. Face-to-Face vs. Hybrid vs. Online. National Social Science Technology Journal, 9(1), p.4-18.
- Johnson, L. (2022). Face-to-Face Teaching in a Pandemic World: What Successful Educators Know. Spring 2022 NSSA Conference Proceedings.
- Clinkscales, C., Johnson, L., Huang, H., & Li, H. (2022). The Relationship between Parentification, Psychological Health, Stress, and Academic Motivation among African American Young Adults. Proceedings of the Summer 2022 Online Conference of the International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research.
- Johnson, L. (2022). COVID-19: Classroom Attendance and Academic Achievement. EDULEARN22 Proceedings. 14th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Palma, Spain. doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2022
- Johnson, L. (2020). Remembering our Past and looking to the Future. Misguided Magazine: The Magazine for Millennials. (Spring 2020 Edition, March, April and May).
- Johnson, L. (December, 2018). Perceptions of the Characteristics of Effective Teachers in Higher Education: The Students’ Voice. In N. Gallavan and L. Putnam (Eds.), ATE Yearbook XXVI Building upon Inspirations and Aspirations with Hope, Courage, and Strength (pp.7-23). Lanham, MD, Roman & Littlefield Publishers.
- PRESENTATIONS:
- Johnson, L. M. (2026). AI: Pros, Cons and Best Practices. Pellissippi State Virtual Distance Learning Conference.
- Johnson, L. M., Chioneso, N., Li, H., & Collins, J. (2026). First Generation Freshman College Students: Academic Success and Retention. National Social Science Association (NSSA) National Conference. Las Vegas, NV.
- Johnson, L. M. (2026). Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use and College Students: A continuation of the Implications of AI for Classroom Learning. National Social Science Association (NSSA) National Conference. Las Vegas, NV.
- Chioneso, N., Johnson, L., Collins, J., & Li, H. (2026). Boldly RISE: Building an Innovative First-Year Program. National Social Science Association (NSSA) National Conference. Las Vegas, NV.
- Johnson, L. M. (June 25, 2025). Social Media Use (SMU), Well-being, and Academic Performance. Pellissippi State Virtual Distance Learning Conference.
- Johnson, L. M. (March 24, 2025). Social Media Addiction, Sleep and Academic Performance. Interventions to promote Better Academic and Health Outcomes. National Social Science Association (NSSA) National Conference. Las Vegas, NV.
- Johnson, L. M.(March 10, 2025). Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use and Students: Implications for Classroom Learning. Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
- Johnson, L. M.(March 25, 2024). Social Media Use Intensity and Well-being. Annual Spring National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference. Las Vegas, NV
- Johnson, L. M. (March 28, 2024). The influence of Social Media on the Classroom Learner in Contemporary Society. Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA
- Johnson, L. M. (October 2023). Social Media Intensity and Wellbeing. Virtual Fall 2023 National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference.
- Johnson, L. M.(October 2023). Lessons Learned: Teaching and Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Black Doctoral Network Conference, Atlanta, GA.
- Johnson, L. M.(2023, June 20). First Generation College Students: Inspiring future generations. Fourth Annual Pellissippi State Virtual Distance Learning Conference.
- Johnson, L. M. (2023, April 3). Biting the Bullet: Stress and Cognitive Functioning in the Academy. National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference. Las Vegas, NV.
- Johnson, L. M. (2023, March 27). Effective Teaching Strategies for Face-to-Face and Online Learning. Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL.
- Clinkscales, C., Johnson, L., Huang, H. & Li, H. (2022, October 4). The Relationship between Parentification, Psychological Health, Stress, and Academic Motivation among African American Young Adults. Summer Online Conference of the International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research.
- Singleton, G., Johnson, L., Li, H., Kennedy, C., Singleton, N., & Clinkscales, C. (2022, July 21). COVD-19: Stress and Academic Success among African American Young Adults. 53rd Annual International Meeting of the Association of Black Psychologists.
- Johnson, L. M. (2022, June 22). Online Teaching and Face-to-Face Teaching: What successful educators know. Third Annual Pellissippi State Virtual Distance Learning Conference. https://pframp.wixsite.com/pscc-de/session-4
- Johnson, L. M. (2022, June 20). First Generation College Students: Augmenting Student Success. Virtual Summer 2022 National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference.
- Johnson, L. M. (2022, March 15). Face-to-Face Teaching in a Pandemic World: What Successful Educators Know. National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
- Johnson, L. M. (2021, October 29). Culture and Learning: Suggestions for Learners and Educators to Instill Positive Outcomes and Resiliency. 2021 Virtual Black Doctoral Network Conference.
- Johnson, L. M., Tani, N,. & Robertson, J. (2021, July 22). Face-to-Face vs. Hybrid vs. Online: A comparison of Students’ Academic Performance of Course Modalities. Virtual Annual Association of Black Psychologists Annual Conference.
- Johnson, L. M. (2021, July 20). Excellent Education for All: What Successful Educators Know. Virtual Summer 2021 National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference.
- Johnson, L. M. (2021, March 23). Attendance in Remote Classes during COVID-19. Virtual Spring 2021 National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference.
- Johnson, L. M. (2021, March 18). Culture and Learning. 39th Annual Imhotep Conference. Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL.
- Johnson, L.M., & Tani, N. (2021). Face-to-Face vs. Hybrid vs. Online: A comparison of HBCU Students’ Academic Performance and Perceptions of Course Modalities. American Teacher Educators (ATE) Annual Conference.
- https://whova.com/portal/webapp/atean_202102/Agenda/1480753
- Johnson, L. M. (2020, August 10). Accommodating Diverse Learning Styles in the Online Learning Environment during COVID-19. American Teacher Educators (ATE) Summer Conference, Washington, DC. https://whova.com/portal/webapp/aote_202006/Agenda/1125758
- Johnson, L. M. (2020, August 3). Remote Learning: Effective Teaching Practices during COVID-19. National Social Science Association (NSSA) Summer Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
- Johnson, L. M. (2020, February). Online and Face-to-Face Teaching: Emerging Themes for Teaching and the Classroom Learning Environment. American Teacher Educators (ATE) Annual Conference, Atlantic City, N.J.
- Johnson, L. M. (2019). Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: Online and Face-to-Face Teaching in the Classroom Learning Environment. Florida Educational Research Association (FERA). St. Petersburg, FL.
- Johnson, L.M. (2019). Classroom Dynamics: The Classroom as Workplace. American Teacher Educators (ATE) Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA.
INTERESTING FACTS:
Dr. Johnson’s hobbies are reading, shopping, and traveling (especially traveling abroad).
Assistant Director of Center for Ethnic Psychological Research and Application
RANK: Associate Professor
AREA: School Psychology
EDUCATION:
Dr. Li received her undergraduate degree in English and graduate degree in Applied Linguistics in China. She earned her Ph.D. degree in School Psychology from The University of Arizona in 2003.
EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Li is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Nationally Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer. She was the Director of Multicultural Research of the Commonwealth Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School.
ROLE(S):
Dr. Li is a key faculty in the Department, teaching core undergraduate (Research Design and Methods, Introduction to Psychology) and graduate courses (Psychoeducational Assessment and Individual Personality Assessment), and serving as graduate student thesis advisor. She now serves as the Assistant Director of Center for Ethnic Psychological Research and Application to conduct training and service within the Department of Psychology and the local communities. Dr. Li has been an undergraduate and graduate program committee member, working with her valuable colleagues on important issues related to program development. On behalf of the Department of Psychology, she has been a member of the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Grievance Committee since 2012, the College Tenure and Promotion Committee member since 2018, and the Florida A&M University Institutional Review Board member since 2016. She will serve as a member of the Faculty Senate for two years from 2019 to 2021.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Dr. Li has received federal and foundation grants to conduct research on psychosocial factors related to mental health, such as culture-specific beliefs about causes of mental illness, stigma, and barriers to services, among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Li has also been receiving federal funding to study risk factors and symptoms of youth at clinical high risk for psychotic disorders. She was on sabbatical at Harvard Medical School Fall 2017, furthering her study and research on the clinical high risk population. Dr. Li serves on the Editorial Board of Asian Journal of Psychiatry and Editorial Advisory Board of Psychology in the Schools. She has also served as Research Committee Chair of Florida Association of School Psychologists and a program reviewer of National Association of School Psychologists. Dr. Li actively conducts psychoeducational trainings on youth mental health in local communities. She served as an expert on youth mental health on the local ABC-TV news after the Newtown, Connecticut school shooting incident. Dr. Li is the author or co-author of peer-reviewed journal articles, book, book chapters, translated books, and conference presentations.
This academic year, Dr. LI is willing to accept one to two thesis students; She is willing to serve on theses committees as a departmental or as an outside member.
PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
- Li, H., Shapiro, D.I., & Seidman, L.J. (Edited. 2019). Handbook of Attenuated Psychosis Syndromes Across Cultures: International Perspectives on Early Identification and Intervention. Springer Publishing Company.
- Zhang, T.H., Tang, X.C., Li, H., Woodberry, K., Kline, E…Wang, J. (2019). Clinical subtypes That predict conversion to psychosis: A canonical correlation analysis study from the ShangHai At Risk for Psychosis (SHARP) Program. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.
- Rowe, M., Robinson, J.C., Singleton, G. L., & Li, H (contact author). (2018). Risk factors of attenuated psychosis syndrome in African American young adults: Ethnic identity and adverse childhood experiences. International Journal of Psychology and Psychoanalysis, 4:022. DOI: 10.23937/2572-4037.1510022
- Li, H., Zhang, T.H., Xu, L., Tang, Y., Cui, L., Wei, Y., Woodberry, K…Seidman, L., Wang, J. (2017). Clinical profile and predictors of outcomes in outpatients at clinical high risk for psychosis: An examination of conversion rate change. Schizophrenia Research. pii: S0920-9964(17)30727-2. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.11.029.
- Li, C., & Li, H. (2017). Acculturative stress and resilience perceived by Chinese immigrant children and parents: Implication for multicultural consultation. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, DOI: 10.1080/10474412.2016.1275648.
Dr. Li loves suspense novels and movies. Table tennis and badminton are her favorite sports.
Gwendolyn Singleton, Ph.D.
Director of Center for Ethnic Psychological Research and Application
(Office Hours)
RANK: Professor
AREAS: Neuropsychology
EDUCATION:
Dr. Singleton received her Ph.D. in Neuropsychology from Howard University. In August
2011, Dr. Singleton was elected as the Chairperson of the Department of Psychology
at FAMU, becoming the first FAMU alumnus elected to this position.
EXPERIENCE:
At FAMU, Dr. Singleton served as the Chair of the Institutional Review Board and as
a Faculty Senator. She serves on a host of other university committees, as the faculty
advisor and mentor for several student organizations, and in community services initiatives.
ROLE(S):
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Singleton also serves as the Director
of the Center for Ethnic Psychological Research and Applications (CEPRA).
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Dr. Singleton has been engaged in ongoing research that examines (1) the efficacy
of cognitive and behavior-based interventions in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression,
(2) the relationships among stress, blood pressure, cortisol, and interleukin-6 (IL-6),
(3) the impact of stress management intervention on the recovery response to neuropsychological
rehabilitation, and (4) the relationships among perceived stress, perceived racism,
cultural identity, stress biomarkers (cortisol and IL-6) and health outcomes. Dr.
Singleton’s research aims are to contribute to the broadening and enhancement of the
field’s comprehension of the utility of self-management practices and its’ psychological
and physiological benefits; as well as, to increase knowledge relative to the individual
and summative influences of subjective, physiological, and hormonal responses to stress.
This research will facilitate additional research in the area of psychoneuroimmunology,
in that it allows the study of the effects of psychological events on nervous system
functions, and its effects on immune system functions. Additionally, Dr. Singleton’s
research not only bridges several uncommonly connected areas of research: neuropsychology,
psychoneuroimmunology, and alternative/behavioral medicine, but also contributes to
the reduction the disparities in the incidence, severity and recovery from stress-related
diseases in African Americans.
This academic year, Dr. Singleton is willing to accept one thesis student. She is
willing to serve on thesis committees as a departmental or as an outside committee
member.
PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
- Lewis, C., Li, H., Singleton, G., Zollicoffer, A. (Under review). The Influence of Psychosocial Experiences on Risk for Psychosis in African American Young Adults: Implications for Early Intervention. Early Intervention in Psychiatry.
- Li, H., Lewis, C., Chi, H., Singleton, G., Williams, N. (Under Review). Mobile Health Applications for Mental Illnesses: An Asian Context. Asian J Psychiatry.
- Owens, B. & Singleton, G. (2018). Ethnic-racial socialization, cultural identity, and perceived stress are related to mental and physical health in African Americans. Psychotherapy Bulletin, 53(1), 27-35.
- Singleton, G., Robertson, J., & Robinson, J. (2018). Core concepts in general psychology: Culture, society, life (3rd ed.). Dubuque, IA: Great River Technologies.
Dr. Singleton is an avid runner, kickboxer, and a stellar ballroom dancer! Recently, she and her husband celebrated their son's matriculation into college.
Neico Sa Ra-Slater, Ph.D.
(Office Hours)
RANK: Visiting Professor
AREA: Community Psychology, Educational Leadership
EDUCATION:
Dr. Neico Slater-Sa-Ra is a proud graduate of the Community Psychology program (2004)
at Florida A&M University. After completing her master’s degree, she went on to study Educational Leadership
at Florida A&M University. Throughout her Master’s and Doctoral studies, Dr. Slater-Sa-Ra worked as a Professor
and Psychologist.
EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Slater-Sa-Ra has extensive clinical field experience. As a practicing Psychologist and independent contractor, Dr. Sa-Ra has worked as a
specialist for treatment of major mental health disorders for over 15 years. Additionally, Dr. Sa-Ra has trained counselors and therapist in crisis intervention,
established, implemented and evaluated programs in early childhood education, Umoja
Kazi Parenting Training, and Hugging the Cactus Pre-Marital Development. Dr. Sa-Ra participates in academic and community organizations inclusive of the Association
of Black Psychologists (ABPsi), North Florida chapter, KONSANBA, Abusua Kuo and Hope
Through COPE. Dr. Slater-Sa-Ra is nationally known for her ‘on the groundwork’ with Black girls
and women’s development through age grade rites of passage. Dr. Slater-Sa-Ra is a registered Mental Health Counseling Intern, works with CEPRAH
as the community liaison, and is trained in Mental Health Counseling First Aid.
ROLE(S):
Dr. Slater-Sa-Ra joined the faculty in the Psychology department at Florida A&M University
(2020) where she is currently a Visiting Associate Professor. Dr. Sa-Ra has worked with undergraduates to improve retention and encourage enrollment
in graduate school.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Dr. Slater-Sa-Ra’s research interests are in analysis of the explicit and implicit
intentionality of curriculum, culturally relevant pedagogy and African-centered education.
She is conducting research on rites of passage, the psychology of Black education,
African spirituality as a therapeutic treatment modality, African-Centered School
Leadership and the psychology of Black hair. Understanding the intersection of education, leadership, race and psychology undergirds
her passions in research, writing, publishing and community work.
This academic year, Dr. Slater-Sa-Ra is willing to serve on theses committees as a
departmental or as an outside member.
INTERESTINGFACTS:
Neico Slater-Sa-Ra is a proud wife of 24 years, a mother of 4 children and new grandmother
(Yeye) of a beautiful little girl.
Novell E. Tani, Ph.D.,
Graduate Program Coordinator
RANK: Assistant Professor
AREAS: Developmental Psychology (with Social/Education emphasis)
EDUCATION:
Novell Tani received his bachelor’s in psychology from Florida A&M University. Dr.
Tani also earned a master’s degree in Applied Social Sciences from FAMU (emphasis
in History) while simultaneously earning a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology
from Florida State University (FSU). Dr. Tani holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology
from FSU.
EXPERIENCE:
Novell has taught in various higher educational settings. As such, he strives to utilize
atypical instruction approaches to spark intrinsic learning drives within students.
He believes that education is a directed, collaborative, individual, and continual
process. Novell emphasizes the importance of lecture preparation via prior reading
and comprehension of course related materials, in-depth critical analysis via discussion,
cross-disciplinary inquiry and debate of content materials. He also encourages student-driven
discourse, prompted with apprentice research, student teaching and cooperative analysis
of materials related to psychology and minority populations. He has served as a research
assistant at the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR), and currently does consulting
with educators in primary and tertiary educational institutions. Novell enjoys aiding
the development of undergraduate and graduate students research. He is seeking diligent
graduate/thesis students and active research assistants.
ROLE(S):
Novell serves the department in several capacities; his responsibilities range from
teaching, serving on academic committees, advising, chairing master’s theses, conducting
research, managing the departmental website, and overseeing the department’s Psychology
Club.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
A product of a single mother in a low socio-economic household, Novell has dedicated
his research efforts to examine how African-American males face adversities from social
and cultural influences. His studies examine teachers’ perceptions of students from
varying demographic backgrounds and the possible effects of perception on students’
academic development.
Additional research interests include: Self-Efficacy/Self-Motivation and impact on
academic achievement, Predictors of Academic Self-Esteem variants, Cultural and experiential
components that impact the sexuality development of LGBTQ individuals, & Racial Identity
and Conscious, Capital Identity Projection, and Scholastic Identity Development.
This academic year, Dr. Tani is not accepting thesis students.
PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
- Gatlin, B., Hwang, J.K., Tani, N.E., Powell, K.B., Wood, T.S., Yang, D., Zargar, E., Connor, C.M. (2021). Using Assessment to Improve the Precision of Teachers’ Perception of Students’ Academic Competence. The Elementary School Journal. https://doi.org/10.1086/714083
- Davis, C., Tani, N.E., Bush, K. & Fields, A. (2021). Reading Outside of the Box: The Possibilities of Letterbox Lesson Implementation. The Florida Journal of Educational Research.
- Tani, N. E., Davis, C. H. & *Christion, A. (2021). Using a cross-disciplinary teaching approach to attenuate the void: Building educators and researchers at a historically Black college/university (HBCU). In Davis, C. H., Hilton, A., Hamrick, R. & Brooks, F. E. (in press). The beauty and the burden of being a Black professor (Vol. 24). Emerald Publishing: United Kingdom.
- *Williams, S.C., & Tani, N.E. (2021). Capital Identity Projection and Academic Performance among Historically Black College/University (HBCU) Students. Florida Educational Research Association Journal.
- Tani, N. E., *Williams, S.C., II, *Parrish, R., *Ferguson, C., *Burrows, D., & *Reed, A. (2021). “I am because we are…” Not just mentoring, but a collaborative approach to faculty and student development. In Davis, C. H., Hilton, A., Hamrick, R. & Brooks, F. E. (in press). The beauty and the burden of being a Black professor (Vol. 24). Emerald Publishing: United Kingdom.
- Little, C.W., Clark, J.C., Tani, N.E., & Connor, C.M. (2018). Improving writing skills through technology-based instruction: a meta-analysis. Review of Education, 6(2), 183-201. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3114
INTERESTING FACTS:
Novell enjoys music, Sci-Fi, jogging, Chinese food, and circular, intellectual conversations
surrounding existentialism.
Brittany M. Griffin, Ph.D.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Area/Specialty: Dr. Brittany’s professional interests include: Afrikan-centered pedagogy, racial and social justice advocacy, issues surrounding equity, humanizing marginalized identities via culturally specific and sociopolitical understandings of mental health, particularly, for individuals of Afrikan ancestry, and positively contributing to the discipline of Afrikan-centered/Black Psychology. She is a strong advocate of work-life balance and believes in questioning and challenging antiquated and oppressive systems that cause harm, particularly, to individuals of Afrikan ancestry.
Educational Background: Dr. Brittany is a proud two-time graduate of the illustrious Florida A&M University. She earned her bachelors of science (B.S.) in Psychology, with a minor in philosophy and religion, in 2007, and her masters of science (M.S.) in Community Psychology in 2016. Dr. Brittany completed her predoctoral internship at Duke University's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology from The University of Akron in 2021.
Experience: After serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant throughout her doctoral training, Dr. Brittany began teaching as an Adjunct Instructor within the FAMU psychology department during the Fall 2021 semester. She accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor position within the department in April 2022 and began teaching full-time during the Fall 2022 semester.
Research Interest: Dr. Brittany’s dissertation built upon her thesis by exploring the multilevel relationship between the cultural misorientation, racism-related stress, and overall well-being of Black students in relation to the level of cultural misorientation, or adherence to an Afrikan Worldview (AWV), of their Black psychology professor. She plans to further explore these constructs to better understand the vicariousness of an AWV and its benefits in all settings (e.g., personal/professional relationships, therapeutic, holistic teaching model). Dr. Brittany also seeks to further research the prevalence of Afrikan-centered frameworks within higher education, and aid in the continued infusion of this approach into course curriculum.
Publications: Auguste, E., & Griffin, B. M. Towards an Eternity: Celebrating The Association of Black Psychologists’ 50th Anniversary. Psychology from the Margins: Vol. 2
Griffin, B. M. (2017). Medasi pa ABPsi and FAMU Psychology Department. Psych Discourse, 51(2) 40.
Griffin, B. M., & Freeze-Ekundayo, O. A. (2016). How we gon win if we ain’t right within? Expanding emotional emancipation circles at Florida A&M University. Psych Discourse, 50(2) 6.
Presentations: Singleton, G., Slater Sa-Ra, N., Griffin, B. M., Alderman, A., Mixon, V., & Jean-Baptiste, K. (2022, July) Strength Happens through Unity: An Exploration of the Relationship between the Superwoman Schema, PTSD, and Emotional Regulation among Black Women. Continuing Education Symposium presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 53rd International Virtual Convention.
Goulbourne, T., Oliphant, V., Brown, H., Smalling, S., Graham, E., Robertson, J., Griffin, B. M., & Queener, J. The Spirit of Sankofa: Jengaship’s role in ensuring the success Afrikan/Black students at PWI’s. Continuing Education Symposium presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 53rd International Virtual Convention.
(2019, November) Kobi Kambon and Jegnaship: Africentric approaches to developing Black students. Panel discussant at the 10th National African/Black Psychology Conference, Tallahassee, FL.
Griffin, B. M., LeBrun, J. & Robertson, J. (2019, July) Bill Cosby, R. Kelly and the ‘me too.’ Movement: Can We Talk? Continuing Education Symposium presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 51st International Convention, Orlando, FL.
Robertson, J., & Griffin, B. M. (2019, July) Cultural Misorientation as a Threat to Afrifuturism, Psychological Liberation and Spiritual Illumination. Continuing Education Symposium presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 51st International Convention, Orlando, FL.
Griffin, B. M., LeBrun, J. & Brown, K. (2019, March) Bill Cosby, R. Kelly and the #MeToo Movement: Can We Talk & Process? Symposium presented at the 27th Annual Imhotep Interdisciplinary Student Research Conference at Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL.
Gonzalez, A., Alshabani, N., Brown, T., Graham, E., Griffin, B. M., Martin-Fernandez, J., Prowell, J., Rogers, B., Soto, & S., Sheng, S. (2019, February). Taking Social Justice Outside of the Classroom: A Consultation Project for Racial Justice. Workshop presented at the 36th Annual Winter Roundtable. Teachers College, Columbia University New York, New York
Queener, J., Griffin, B. M., Graham, E. L., & Bethea, A., (2018, June). Race, Racism and Clinical Supervision. Paper presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 50th International Convention, Oakland, CA.
Woodyard, O.T., Griffin, B. M., Vision, M., & Drake, D., (2018, June). Envisioning the Next 50 Years through the Next Generation. Panel discussion at The Association of Black Psychologists 50th International Convention, Oakland, CA.
Sims, B. C., Griffin, B. M., Slater-Sa-Ra, N. (2018, June). Afrikan Education in the Digital Era: Lessons from Baba Asa. Paper presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 50th International Convention, Oakland, CA.
Griffin, B. M., & LeBrun, J. (2017, July). Honoring Our Roots and Strengthening Our Future. Paper presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 49th International Convention, Houston, TX.
Queener, J., Griffin, B. M., Graham, E. L., & Bethea, A., (2017, July). Racial Dynamics and Clinical Supervision. Paper presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 49th International Convention, Houston, TX.
Linder, H., Whitten, L., Barner, P., Smith, A., Robertson, J., Williams, C. & Griffin, B. M., (2017, July). Can African Centered Ethics Shape the Future of Black Psychology? Plenary session presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 49th International Convention, Houston, TX.
Griffin, B. M., & LeBrun, J. (2016, November). Black Psychology, Learning Styles and Life Satisfaction of American Afrikans: A Tribute to the Life Work of Dr. Robert L. Williams. Paper presented at the Seventh National African/Black Psychology Conference, Tallahassee, FL.
Griffin, B. M., & Robertson, J. T. (2016, August). Exploring the Relationship between Cultural Misorientation, Perceived Stress and Life Satisfaction. Results poster presented at The Association of Black Psychologists 48th International Convention, Arlington, VA.
Griffin, B. M., & Robertson, J. T. (2016, March). Exploring the Relationship between Cultural Misorientation, Perceived Stress and Life Satisfaction. Proposal poster presented at the Graduate Studies and Research Poster Competition, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL.
Griffin, B. M., & Robertson, J. T. (2016, February). The Impact of Cultural Misorientation and Stress on Life Satisfaction. Proposal poster presented at the National Association of African American Studies 24th Joint National Conference, Baton Rouge, LA.
Interesting Fact: Dr. Brittany belongs in the House of Hufflepuff.
