Holmes Scholars
Philippa ChinPhilippa is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education program. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and a national certified counselor (NCC). She is the Director at the Flanagan Counselor Educational Clinic and the Doctoral Co-Director for the New Horizons Family Counseling Center. Philippa earned her M.Ed. in Couples, Marriage and Family Counseling at William & Mary and acquired her undergraduate degree from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. She currently works as a mental health therapist at a rural private practice providing family, couples, co-parenting, substance abuse rehabilitation, and individual therapy. Philippa has conducted research and presented at international and national conferences on ethnic and racial identity development, international counseling, and counselor education issues. Additionally, Philippa offers service to the field as a member of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Research Committee and a committee member of the African American Graduate Women Affinity Virtual Group. |
Darla EdwardsFrom teacher, to principal, to educational consultant, Darla Edwards has over two decades of distinguished service in education. Befitting someone who has dedicated her life to improving the learning of others, Darla has continually sought to expand her own. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s in Educational Leadership (University of Lynchburg) and an educational specialist degree (Liberty University). Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree at William and Mary. Ms. Edwards’ expertise has been widely recognized, including by the governor of Virginia, who appointed her to serve on Virginia’s Board of Education, where she has become integral to developing policies in support of Virginia’s school children. Moreover, as a member of the University of Lynchburg Board of Trustees, Darla always has her finger on the pulse of higher education trends and initiatives. |
Tai ExuméTai is a second-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education program at William & Mary. Tai is from California where they worked with students and families experiencing housing instability. Prior to beginning their doctoral program, they graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound, and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of San Diego. Tai is an LPC-Resident in Virginia that currently works with college students, adolescents, and their families. Mx. Exumé has been part of the collegiate athletics community for eight years first as NCAA athlete and then a coach. Their research interests include integrated mental health care, unique supports for LGBTQ+ youth, and BIPOC youth, as well as mental health of historically underrepresented and marginalized athletes. |
Lavare HenryHenry is a second-year doctoral student in the Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership Program concentrating in K-12 Educational Leadership. Henry hails from Kingston, Jamaica where he worked as an Assistant Principal at Campion College. He holds a BSc and MSc in Computer Science, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in IT Education from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus Jamaica. He also holds an MSc in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Planning from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. Henry’s research interests include value added by high schools, evaluation of school’s intervention programs for at-risk students, and evaluation of authentic assessments practices. |
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Paola G. MendizábalPaola is a Ph.D. student in the Educational Planning, Policy and Leadership (EPPL) program at William & Mary, concentrating in Curriculum & Learning Design. She is also a Graduate Research Assistant in the Office of Teacher Education. Paola has been an educator for eight years, with most of her experience in dual language bilingual education (DLBE). In her most recent school district, she assisted with the implementation of a dual language immersion program and collaborated with other dual language teachers to create a Spanish and English biliteracy curriculum. Her research focus is DLBE and the potential of these programs to increase academic achievement of all participating students and especially those who have been historically marginalized. |
Aishwarya NambiarAishwarya is a second-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education program at William & Mary. Prior to starting her doctoral program, she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom, and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. Aishwarya is a Licensed Resident in Counseling and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). She is currently a Graduate Assistant for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion office at the School of Education and is a Student Member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) International Committee. Her clinical experiences consist of working in both in-patient and out-patient settings serving a diverse population. Aishwarya's research interests include colorism, women of color, international students, and third-culture kids. |
Shené V. OwensShené is a Ph.D. student in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration. She currently serves as the Associate Director for the Center for Student Diversity at William & Mary, providing academic, social, and transition support for undergraduate and graduate students from underserved and/or underrepresented populations. Originally from Teaneck, New Jersey, Shené is active in her communities both in Virginia and the Tri-State area (NY/NJ), serving as a mentor to teens and young adults, leading self-care and/or self-esteem workshops, participating in community service efforts, and raising awareness to various causes. She lives by the West African term “Sankofa”, which teaches us that we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward. Shené is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. and holds both a B.A. in English Arts and M.A. in Counseling (College Student Development) from Hampton University. |
Senttra Snowden-GreggSenttra Snowden-Gregg is a first year doctoral student in the Counselor Education & Supervision program at William & Mary. Senttra earned her undergraduate degree from Meredith College in English Literature and Secondary Education. She spent the first few years of her career in education primarily as a high school English teacher. Senttra received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in 2021. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and an LPC—Resident in Virginia. Senttra’s research interests center on the understanding of intergenerational trauma for Black people in America, specifically understanding the way in which trauma has been passed through generations and families creating PTSD for an entire community. |