Research inspires collaboration, mentorship
Raven Pierce ’23, M.Ed. ‘26, and Associate Professor of School Psychology Janise Parker are making waves in the research community for their collaborative research on higher education.
Pierce and Parker employ an interdisciplinary approach to illustrate the inspiring and affirming impacts of creating thriving, welcoming community spaces for all higher education professionals to connect with one another.
Pierce, who is pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling also serves as graduate assistant for the William & Mary Scholars Undergraduate Research Experience (WMSURE), a program dedicated to increasing the number of students engaged in faculty-mentored research.
Graduating from the university in 2023 with a degree in psychology, Pierce was actively involved in WMSURE during her undergraduate years. Now she works to inspire the next generation of scholars by fostering a welcoming community for all through the peer mentorship program and by sharing her passion for artistic creativity.
“I’m very thankful for the role because I’m able to offer the organization my gifts with art, such as by creating the mural on our window,” she said. “But my main role is the peer mentorship piece, helping to create a safe space for students and being that link between the program staff, students, and student fellows.”
During her time as a WMSURE scholar, Pierce met Dr. Parker, who served as a faculty fellow for the program. Parker has conducted extensive research on the resilient influence of spirituality in the face of challenges in higher education.
After Pierce approached Parker about her interest in research, the two sought a way to combine their specializations to develop a deeply engaging collaborative initiative.
The process of conducting this project was deeply influential for both Pierce and Parker, empowering them to grow in personal ways as well as academic. Pierce explained how Parker was a supportive force for her when she became aware of her pregnancy during the time of the study. Throughout the course of Pierce’s pregnancy and birth of her daughter, Parker encouraged her to continue with her research.
“I didn’t know if I was still going to be able to do my project,” Pierce said. “I had told Dr. Parker about the situation, and she was immediately so understanding and embraced everything with open arms. I learned so much about myself and her, and we grew a stronger bond through the process.”
The wide-ranging impacts of this research may have important implications on the future of mental health initiatives for higher education professionals, inspiring colleagues at peer institutions across the nation.
