Coffee and Conversation

The Psychology Department's Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice (DISJ) Committee will be hosting an event Tuesday, October 28th from 4-5 PM in the Psychology Community Room (MP 322). This Coffee and Conversation will be hosted by a panel of doctoral students and focus on navigating the grad school application process and graduate programs. Check out the panelists' bios below and share this event with anyone interested in applying to graduate school!

Danielle Black is a 5th year clinical and community psychology PhD student at UMBC. She obtained her M.A. in Clinical and Community Psychology from UMBC and her B.A. in psychology from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Danie is deeply passionate about the liberation of marginalized people and believes that we are deserving of joy, of rest, of pleasure, and of being our whole selves. This passion extends across her roles as a clinician, student, researcher, teacher, and artist. Danie has worked in a variety of clinical settings and has treated clients experiencing challenges with anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, ADHD, childhood trauma, identity issues, bipolar disorder, and grief. Her research focuses on exploring Black women's wellness, resistance to oppression, intergenerational relationships, and community sustainability using qualitative methods. Danie is also in her second year of teaching Psychology and Culture as a teaching fellow at UMBC. Outside of work, Danie enjoys making art, spending time with friends and family, gardening, and puzzles. 

Rebecca Nguyen is a clinical psychology and behavioral medicine PhD student at UMBC. Her research focuses on how trauma impacts family relationships including intergenerational trauma transmission, posttraumatic growth, relationship satisfaction, and trauma disclosure in families. Her research has been published in trauma-focused journals and featured at national and international psychological conferences. Clinically, Rebecca provides psychological therapy and assessment for adult clients with histories of child abuse and interpersonal trauma, complex medical presentations, and serious mental illness. Before coming to UMBC, Rebecca completed her B.S. in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience at the University of Richmond and a Pre-Clinical Psychology post-baccalaureate certificate at Northwestern University. As a first generation college student, proud Vietnamese-American, and daughter of refugees, Rebecca is very passionate about individual mentorship and supporting students from diverse backgrounds. Rebecca enjoys participating in a national mentoring service, "Project SHORT," running around Baltimore City, and playing the flute.

Diand C. Placide is an Applied Developmental Psychology Doctoral Student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her research focuses on motivation, culture, education policy, and academic development. She currently serves as this year's 2025-2026 DISJ fellow and UMBC's College of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences senator. As an applied researcher, her goals are to work in spaces (government, educational systems, community organizations) where she can advocate for equitable education and apply findings from research to policy, interventions, and other services that improve education for all students. Diane has earned her B.S in psychology from Towson University and a Master of Education in School Psychology and Counseling Services from Howard University. Her personal interests include listening to and attending music events, shopping, being around loved ones and laughing in between.