Our Team
Tennisha N. Riley, PhD.
Dr. Riley is a Developmental Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences at the University of Florida. She received her Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University in developmental psychology with a focus on adolescent health and emotional well-being. As the principal investigator of the BEInG research team, her research focuses on the emotional development of Black youth. Dr. Riley has two primary areas of interest: (1) how emotions and emotion regulation are influenced by Black youth experiences and context, such as family, peers, and schools. (2) How processes of emotion regulation might underly negative health behaviors and/or prosocial behaviors during adolescence. Prior to completing her doctoral studies, Dr. Riley worked as a multisystemic family therapist. Much of her research interests in adolescence, families, and intervention are the result of her experiences as a therapist.
Jazlyn Rowan, M.A.
Jazlyn Rowan [she/her] is a fourth-year School Psychology graduate student with a minor in Counseling at Indiana University, Bloomington. Originally from Louisville, KY, Jazlyn has developed a motivation for infinite intelligence while educating the community surrounding her. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a focus on political science and civic leadership. Jazlyn has accumulated experience with Indiana’s Children Policy and Law Initiative and is involved in research representing her interest areas of social justice advocacy, the school-to-prison pipeline, and policies, practices, and procedures impacting the life trajectories of Black and Brown students. Jazlyn looks forward to growing professionally and acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to continue to work towards her life purpose with guidance and leadership from her mentors at Indiana University and beyond.
Ja’Toria Palmer, M.A.
Ja'Toria Palmer [she/her], is a third-year Ph.D. student in the School Psychology Program at Indiana University-Bloomington. Ja'Toria's research interests include disproportionality in Special Education and the development of evidence-based academic and behavioral interventions that are individualized and supportive of minoritized/marginalized youth within schools. Her future aspirations include merging her knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis and School Psychology in working with children and families to provide culturally responsive assessment & intervention.
BEInG Research Team Alumni
[Indiana University, 2020]
Kendall is currently a doctoral student at the University of Iowa in Sociology/Criminology.
Gracy Hniang, B.S.
[Indiana University, 2022]
Gracy is currently a PhD graduate student in School Psychology at Ball State University.
Payton Hewlett, B.S.
[Indiana University, 2022]
Eric Agyemang-Dua, M.S.Ed
[Indiana University, 2024]
Eric is currently a PhD graduate student in Counseling Psychology at Wayne State University.
Wisdom Ibikunle, B.S.
[Indiana University, 2024]