Kaylen Vine, a 6th-year doctoral student in the department of Psychology, has recently been honored with the prestigious Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship. The Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship was awarded to seven Marquette doctoral students this year and recognizes their commitment to becoming socially responsible leaders both within the university and beyond.
Vine’s research focuses on the experiences of racial/ethnic minority populations, delving into themes of identity, mental health disparities, and structural oppression in the context of trauma. Motivated by a strong belief that health equity means everyone should have the opportunity to achieve optimal health, Vine’s work highlights systemic barriers and uncovers culturally relevant strengths that influence mental health and engagement with care. Through her research, she aims to illuminate the systemic barriers that racial and ethnic minority populations face in accessing mental health care, while identifying culturally relevant strengths that enhance resilience and well-being. She hopes to translate these findings into practical strategies to improve mental health services, ensuring they are accessible and responsive to the unique needs of marginalized communities. Her work primarily focuses on serving adult patient populations often with comorbid medical and mental health challenges.
Vine credits the Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship with providing her dedicated time to focus on her work, which she notes is crucial for advancing her research. The fellowship also supports her development as a leader in her field. She participates in leadership training programs and workshops designed to cultivate skills such as project management, team collaboration, and effective communication. These experiences enhance her professional growth and equip her to mentor others to learn how to advocate for systemic change in mental health care. Vine was motivated to apply for the fellowship by her desire to deepen the impacts of her research and to connect with a community of scholars committed to social justice. For other doctoral students considering this opportunity, Vine advises others to “clearly articulate their research goals and the potential societal impact of their work in their application. Building relationships with mentors and peers who can provide guidance and support throughout the application process can be invaluable.”
Outside of her research, Vine says she’s busy being, “THAT girl” who loves playing volleyball, gaming, hitting the gym, experimenting with fun and healthy recipes, or belting out tunes at karaoke!”
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