Archives: People

Keshani Perera

Title: (she/her/hers)
CAPS- Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree BSc in Psychology- Missouri University of Science and Technology
Graduate Degree MA in Counseling Psychology and Psy.D in Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology– William Paterson University of New Jersey
Terminal Degree Psy.D in Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology– William Paterson University of New Jersey
Ask me about…. Psychology Research
Immigration Issues
Pre/post-immigration trauma
Intergenerational trauma
Acculturation
Undocumented Issues/ Asylum Evaluation/ Finding affordable asylum related resources
Bicultural Identity Integration
Mental Health Stigma
Multicultural Issues
Pursing grad school
Pursuing a career in psychology
Other Identities Female, South Asian, Sri Lankan, Immigrant, [past] International Student, Christian, Frist language is Sinhala, country of origin is Sri Lanka, former professional athlete.

Ann Michelle Garner

Title: (she/her/hers)
Assistant Director

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree B.A. Government, University of Virginia
Graduate Degree MA Interdisciplinary Studies (Counseling), George Mason University
Ask me about….. Graduate school applications, internship and job searching, networking, finding a mentor
Interests and Hobbies acoustic guitar, ice skating, reading, photography

Amy Snyder

Title: (she/her/hers)
Director of Staff Experience
University Life

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree Bachelor of Science; Communications with a specialization in Public Relations; Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Graduate Degree M.Ed. Counseling and Educational Leadership (student affairs); Clemson University
 Other identities beyond being first Gen. Dual citizenship: United Kingdom
Interests and Hobbies Reading, cooking, binge watching British shows

Amanda Jenkins

Title: (she/her/hers)
Administrative Assistant
Student and Academic Affairs

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree BA in Education from Berea College
Graduate Degree MA in Education from Eastern Kentucky University
Other Identities Proud Appalachian
Interests and Hobbies Reading paranormal fantasy, going to concerts and travel

Amanda Davis

Title: (she/her/hers)
Clinical Practice Specialist

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree BA in International Relations – University of Southern California (USC)
BS in Teaching – Drake University
Ask me about….. paying your own way
Interests and Hobbies reading, hiking, spending time with family, art

Vicki Kirsch

Title: (she/her/hers)
Associate Clinical Professor
Department of Social Work

Groups: I AM FIRST Faculty

Undergraduate Degree BA, Georgetown University
Graduate Degree MA, University of Chicago; MSW, Boston University
Terminal Degree Ph.D., Emory University
Ask me about…. Social Work, Psychotherapy, Trauma and Recovery.
Other Identities Jewish
Interests and Hobbies Horses; all creatures great and small; outdoors; poetry.

Victoria J Stone

Title: (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor Clinical Coordinator
Counseling Program

Groups: I AM FIRST Faculty

Undergraduate Degree BA, Sociology. California University of PA (now Cal Penn West)
Graduate Degree MEd. School Counseling, California University of PA (now Cal Penn West)
Terminal Degree Ph.D., Counselor Education, and Supervision, Virginia Tech
Ask me about…. The School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs at Mason

Rosemarie Zagarri

Title: Professor of History

Groups: I AM FIRST Faculty

Undergraduate Degree Northwestern University, B.A.
Graduate Degree Yale University, M.A.
Terminal Degree Yale University, Ph.D.
Ask me about…. Value of Humanities majors and History scholarship
Other Identities Catholic, lower middle class white, Italian descent, woman
Interests and Hobbies novels, church, gardening, hiking

Melissa L Villodas

Title: (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor

Groups: I AM FIRST Faculty

Undergraduate Degree Nyack College – B.A. English Writing
Graduate Degree New York University – Master of Social Work (MSW)
Terminal Degree University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill – PhD
Other Identities Black US-born Latina
Interests and Hobbies Dancing

Steven Barnes

Title: (he/him)
Associate Professor of History
Director of Program
Russian & Eurasian Studies

Groups: I AM FIRST Faculty

Undergraduate Degree B.A. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from Harvard
Graduate Degree M.A. in Russian History from Stanford
Terminal Degree Ph.D. in Russian History from Stanford
Ask me about…. Russian and Eurasian Studies, Russian language, History, or pretty much anything about experiences as a first-gen, rural-town-moved-to-the-city college student
Interests and Hobbies Reading, NFL football, recreational cycling, TV/movies