Endarkened Futures Lab

Bella Mason is studying Clinical/Community Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Criminology, Law & Society, aspiring to become a clinical psychologist. In the community, she works as a Childcare Specialist and Crisis Coordinator at the Crisis Nursery. On Campus, she currently is a Counseling Center Paraprofessional serving on the Queers & Allies Outreach Team and the Suicide Prevention Outreach Team. Further, she is a Research Assistant in the Health Equity & Action Lab with research specifically tailored to ethno-racial and sexual minority parent-child dyads. Her current project examines factors shaping perceived personalization of digital parenting recommendations. Additionally, she acts as a Women’s Resources Center Programming Intern focused on financial feminism, sexual violence prevention, and gender equity through a collective liberation framework. She is the Vice President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus, Communications & Community Outreach Co-Chair for Sociology Honors Society - Alpha Kappa Delta, and Evening Receptionist at the Psychological Services Center. Previously, she has served as a Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology Intern at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Conformity, Attitudes, Threats and Stereotype Lab research assistant, and Diversity and Social Justice Education I-Connect facilitator and peer educator.

Akbiyke Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, is studying Clinical Psychology with a minor in Social Work, aspiring to become a therapist. A Dean's List honoree and Equity & Inclusion Leadership Certificate Fellow, she has focused her research and advocacy on women's rights and student leadership within The Healing Project. On campus, she is interning with the Student Engagement Center's Marketing and Communications team and serves as an SAA Ambassador. Dedicated to clinical work, Akbiyke interned in Residential Admissions at Cunningham Children's Home and currently interns at The Autism Program at the Family Resilience Center. 

My name is Alexis Schoenherr, and I am currently obtaining my master's in social work. I am very passionate about social justice, which led me to the path of social work. I have participated in clinical work at Cunningham Children's Home and research with STRONGKids2. I am passionate about community work and plan to stay in the Champaign-Urbana area to help provide resources, education, and services to our community and those nearby. Academically, I am very interested in learning about women, LGBTQ+ communities, and critical race theory. These interests and experiences inform a holistic approach to my education and practice.