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This academic semester is atypical and bittersweet for many graduating students. As students were finishing up their last semester of studies and preparing for their next steps, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Suddenly, apart from the typical stressors of school, students faced additional difficulties and questions on how to complete their sought-after degrees amid the global crisis. As universities moved from in-person to online learning, many students faced hidden challenges. Several of our students completed their degrees in the midst of having loved ones who are essential workers, and some students are essential workers themselves. Some students knew of individuals who had contracted COVID-19, and some students had loved ones pass away due to the illness. Some students had family living in other states, and the thought of seeing them again in person may have even seemed unbearably unrealistic for the foreseeable future. Some students faced the anxieties of living alone during a pandemic with limited social support. Many of the students in our community are first-generation students and have looked forward to the day they received their earned degree with much hope and anticipation. At a time in which these students would engage in celebration, there is still so much uncertainty.

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Many plans for graduation celebrations have been interrupted, with some universities hosting virtual graduations, and others postponing their graduation ceremonies for a later time. Graduating during a pandemic is not typical and many students are left to endure the loss of not experiencing this typical rite of passage. In an attempt to highlight these students and their deserved accomplishments, the APA Division 45 student committee would like to celebrate our peers who have completed their degree(s). While we are sure this list is not fully exhaustive, each student on this list has allowed us to share their name, institution, and earned degree. We would also like to celebrate the accomplishment of the students who are not listed here. On behalf of APA Division 45, we praise you and all your accomplishments. Your efforts are not unseen. #empowered 45

Congratulations

Analia Albuja

Doctorate, Social Psychology
Rutgers University

Sonam Angmo

Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology
University of St Thomas

Keisha April

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
Drexel University

Malini Basdeo

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
University of Hartford

Eleanor Baylon

Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology
Fuller Graduate School of Psychology

Deidre P. Begay

Doctorate, Counseling Psychology
Western Michigan University

Audrey Brickley

Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology with Family Psychology Concentration
University of St Thomas

Maria Helena Buitrago Cohoon

Master of Arts, Counseling
University of St. Thomas

Tonneka Caddell

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
Azusa Pacific University

Taymy Caso

Doctorate, Counseling Psychology PhD
New York University

Maria Cueto

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
Azusa Pacific University

Christina Douyon

Doctorate, Counseling Psychology
Boston College

Faafetai Faaleava

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology, PsyD
Alliant International University

Erica Ficklin

Master of Science, Combined Clinical and Counseling Psychology
Utah State University

Jill Fish

Doctorate, Counseling Psychology
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Elmer Guardado

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology Psy.D.
University of La Verne

Linda Guzman

Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology Ph.D.
The University of Arkansas

Jacqueline Herrera

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
Azusa Pacific University

Lauren Hickman

Master of Arts, Counseling
University of St. Thomas

Tuyet-Mai (Mai) Hoang

Doctorate, Counseling Psychology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Loretta Hsueh

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Devon Isaacs

Master of Science, Combined Clinical/Counseling
Utah State University

Brian Keum

Doctorate, Counseling Psychology
University of Maryland-College Park

Samantha LaMartine

Doctorate, Psy.D Clinical Psychology
University of La Verne

Andi Lee

Master of Science, Clinical-Community
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Sabrina Liu

Doctorate, Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology
University of California, Santa Barbara

Dawn Loyola

Doctorate, Higher Education Leadership
Maryville University

Sallie Mack

Master of Science, Combined Clinical/Counseling
Utah State University

Hayden Mbroh

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Whitney McCoy

Doctorate, Educational Psychology
North Carolina State University

Kristina Mendez

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
Palo Alto University

Katie Mendoza

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
Azusa Pacific University

Alanna Mullen

Master of Science, Industrial-Organizational Psychology
DePaul University

Samantha Nau

Master of Arts, Clinical-Community
DePaul University

Mikayla Nelson

Master of Science, Counseling Psychology
University of St Thomas

Mary Odafe

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
University of Houston

Alyssa Parisien

Doctorate, Counseling Psychology
University of St. Thomas

Cat Pierre-Louis

Master of Arts, Clinical (Community track)
DePaul University

Ericka Ramirez-Solis

Doctorate, PhD in Clinical Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology-Alliant International University- Los Angeles

Ashley Rodriguez

Doctorate, School psychology PhD
Fordham University

Joanna Servin

Doctorate, Clinical Psychology
Palo Alto University

Elizabeth Snyder

Doctorate, School
Michigan State University

Terrill Taylor

Master of Arts, Counseling
University of North Dakota

Rebeca Zapata

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
University of Arkansas

Focus Spring 2020

• A Message to Graduating Students
• Division 45 Task Force on Covid-19 Anti-Asian Discrimination and Xenophobia
• From the Editor’s Desk
• Graduate Student Representative Column
• I Can’t Breathe: Resuscitating Black America
• In Memory of Jean Lau Chin, Ed.D.: A Champion for Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Social Justice
• President-Elect Column: Disease Threat, Racism, and Immigration
• President’s Column
• Report of Chair of the Council of Past Presidents