Principal Investigator
Dr. Charity Brown Griffin
Dr. Charity Brown Griffin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Winston-Salem State University. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a M.A. and Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of South Carolina. After completing her graduate training, Dr. Griffin served children and families through her practice as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and she is also Licensed as a Psychologist by the North Carolina Psychology Board.
Undergraduate Members
Cedrina Lisenby
School Experiences in Context (SEC) Project Team
Cedrina Lisenby is a senior psychology major and Psychology honors program student at Winston-Salem State University from Wadesboro, North Carolina. She is currently exploring all of her options in psychology to narrow down a career choice. However, her ultimate goal is to start her own practice as a counseling psychologist. She has a variety of research interests but wants to look at research in the field of clinical psychology such as the causes and symptoms of psychological disorders, as well as interventions. Other research interests include social psychology as related to individual well-being, attitudes, social judgement and decision-making.
Aliah Johnson
School Experiences in Context (SEC) Project Team
Aliah Johnson is a senior psychology major (elementary education minor) and psychology honors program student at Winston-Salem State University. She is from Leland, North Carolina and the oldest of three children. She chose to major in psychology after having the desire to pursue pediatric/ child psychology. Aliah has a variety of research interests, including children, marriage, and Black women. Aliah plans to attend graduate school after completing her undergraduate degree. In her free time Aliah enjoys reading romantic books and writing poetry.
Semaj Capers
School Experiences in Context (SEC) Project Team
Semaj Capers is a senior psychology major at Winston-Salem State University from Greensboro, North Carolina. He is the oldest of four children. After taking AP Psychology in his junior year of high school, his interest in the subject increased. Semaj specifically loves behavior and development. He is the recipient of the inaugural WSSU Social Justice Fellowship and working on a research project exploring critical consciousness and school belonging. Upon graduating from WSSU, he plans to attend a graduate school program for either Criminal or School psychology.
Ladarian Eaton
YouthRISE Summer Program Team
Ladarian Eaton is a senior psychology major at Winston-Salem State University from Henderson, NC. He first became interested in psychology through family experiences with mental health. His current research interests include the connection between media violence and video games. After completing undergraduate and graduate studies, he hopes to pursue a graduate degree in school psychology. He later wants to open his own LGBTQ Center for youth and young adults to provide support for these individuals. In his free time he enjoys planting and DIY projects.
Tyler Chisolm
YouthRISE Summer Program Team
Tyler Chisolm is a junior psychology major at Winston-Salem State University from Henderson, NC. He has an older sister, but is a first generation college student. Tyler chose to change his major to psychology because he is interested in the study of behavior and how the brain functions. He became more interested in psychological research when taking Dr. Griffin’s Introduction to Psychological Sciences class during his sophomore year. Tyler has a huge interest in human factors psychology and user experience and plans to attend graduate school to pursue his PhD in this field.
Ja'Nya Badgett
RAce in School (RAiS) Project
Charlie McMann has an incredible dedication to the work they do as Project Supervisor. They are a recent addition to the team, but they are already making invaluable contributions toward our research goals.
Tyler Hughes
RAce in School (RAiS) Project
As our experienced Research Adviser, Jordan Parker is a fundamental part of what makes Minority Academic Achievement and Development Lab such a successful Research Lab. They are truly an invaluable member of our hardworking team.
Taylor Quill
Post-Doctoral Fellow
The reputation of Taylor Quill precedes them, as they came to us with an impressive background. They have since become a valued Post-Doctoral Fellow on our team, adding important insights into our work.
Lab Alumni
Members That Have Graduated
Niiya McKenzie-Walker
2019 Graduate
Niiya McKenzie-Walker is currently employed as a teacher/registered behavioral technician at the Applied Behavior Center (ABC School) for Autism of NC.
Mona Roach
2018 Graduate
Mona Roach is currently a graduate student in the School Counseling Master's program at North Carolina A&T State University.
Kris Ward
Project Supervisor
Kris Ward has an incredible dedication to the work they do as Project Supervisor. They are a recent addition to the team, but they are already making invaluable contributions toward our research goals.