Eli is a recent graduate from Ball State University’s Psychological Science and Social Psychology MA programs. A Wisconsin native, Eli completed their BS in Psychology and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Eli’s research interests fall in the broad topics of sexuality and gender identity, especially the experiences of multiply marginalized people. Their master’s thesis explored how plurisexual people in the Midwestern United States define bisexuality and they are currently extending their findings by drawing on a nationwide sample of plurisexual people. In their free time, Eli enjoys playing video games with friends, listening to music, and watching anime. 

Brianna Vanderstelt (she/her) is a second-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology. She is interested in exploring and understanding the diverse lived experiences of marginalized communities with a focus on positive representation, with a special interest in interracial adoption and identity development. Outside of research, Brianna has found a passion for trauma-informed therapeutic work and has a love for community mental health. When she is not busy with school, Brianna enjoys gaming, writing, and collecting fun pins. 

Gabriel Del Greco is currently pursing his M.A. in Social Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He completed his BS in Psychological Science in May 25' at Ball State and looks forward to continuing on to the Counseling Psychology PhD program after his masters. His research interests broadly are on human sexuality, but more specifically on consensual non-monogamy, sexual behaviors/kink, and paraphilic disorders. 

Helen Cao is a second-year master's student in Ball State University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA program. She received her BS in Psychological Science in 2025 also at Ball State, and she is pursuing a career in mental health counseling. Her research interests are centered around but not limited to: LGBTQ+ and/or neurodivergent experiences and identities. Outside of academia, Helen enjoys playing video games, card games, board games, listening to music, and watching anime. 

Zoe Benedict is a first year Social Psychology M.A. Student. She recieved her bacholer's in psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Her research interests are still broad, but she is interested in social identity and well-being of queer indiviudals when interacting with varying social media platforms. She has previous research experience with levity in classroom spaces. In her free time, she enjoys watching Formula 1 and movies, cross-stitching, and playing video games.  

Kelsey Jacobs (she/her) is a second-year Clinical Mental Health Counseling student. She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Millikin University in 2025. Her research interests include violence against women, sex-offender rehabilitation, and women in academia. Kelsey values work rooted in social justice, intersectionality, and collaboration, in research and in the therapeutic space. As a new clinician, she approaches all clients with openness and non-judgement. She hopes to continue this work and further her education in a doctorate program. Kelsey enjoys thrifting, trying new coffee spots, lifting weights, and spending quality time with friends.  

Brady Ream is a first-year M.A. student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Social Psychology dual program.  He completed is B.S. in psychological science with a minor in counseling at Ball State University. Through his work with community-based mental health care interventions, his research interests are broadly centered on exploring community-based wellness, with special emphasis on exploring the common factors theory of individual and group psychotherapy as it relates to community connection and individual wellbeing. Additionally, through his experience as a graduate assistant in the Department of History at Ball State University, Brady is interested in exploring historical perspectives regarding underrepresented and marginalized communities. In his free time, Brady is a bookworm, pianist, barista, and cinephile.   

Alysse Wiggins is a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Ball State University. Her research interests focus on identity, stigma, and mental health among sexual and gender minority populations with a focus on factors that promote resilience and positive self-concept in the face of discrimination and social stress. Alysse also provides therapeutic services at a local community mental health clinic. Originally from Louisiana, she enjoys exposing others to Crystal hot sauce,  showing everyone pictures of her nieces and nephews, and trying to keep her houseplants alive.  

Miguelangel Ortega is a first-year Social Psychology M.A. student. He completed a B.S. in psychological science with minors in communication studies and sociology at Ball State University. His research interests include social expectations, group dynamics, interpersonal communication, and belonging. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing tabletop games, and watching various TV series. 

Samantha is a second-year student in the Social Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA program at Ball State University. Originally from California, she earned her BA in Psychology with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Broadly, her research interests focus on intersecting identities, and how social and cultural factors influence body image concerns and eating behaviors. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology, as her goal is to become both a therapist and professor engaged in research. 

Gwendolyn Howell is a second year Social Psychology M.A. student. She received her B.S. in Psychological Science with a minor in Biology from Ball State University. Her academic interests include social justice, implicit bias, negative impact of positive stereotypes, critical race theory, social cognitive theory, and critical discourse analysis. In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction, watching women’s sports, and rewatching comfort TV shows and movies.

Marcella-Alysia Argüello is a second year Social Psychology M.A. student. She received her undergraduate degree at Miami University where she double majored in Psychology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Her research interests include intersectional-multicultural studies, gender in a social context (e.g., machismo and marianismo), and marginalized populations such as Latinos and immigrants.  She chose BSU because she appreciated its emphasis on inclusive research.

In the future, she hopes to pursue research to expand knowledge within the field to provide sustainable, generalizable findings that could lead to interventions and increased resources for underserved communities. In  her free time, she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and collecting physical media like CDs, movies, and art.

Kailon Ford is a recent graduate of  the Social Psychology master's program. She is currently working for a university as a data analyst, with the aim of gaining admittance to a doctoral program to continue her academic work on Black women's experiences with perceptions of professionalism in the workplace.

Chelsei is a second-year student in the Dual Social Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters program here at Ball State. Her current research interests are intersectionality, STEM education, mentorship, social mobility and experiences of POC (mostly focused on Black people) in predominantly white spaces.  

Faelyn Cowan is a second-year student in the Dual Social Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters program here at Ball State. Faelyn comes to Ball State University from Florida, after completing a BA in Psychology and an MA in Women ’ s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of South Florida–where their research focused on how LGBTQ+ people make and manage community spaces, and the implications for those spaces in LGBTQ+ mental health care. 

A formerly feral tomcat, Reggie was rescued from a rough future as a barn mouse hunter and is now living his best indoor life (with the occasional hang in his cat tent outside). Despite only having four teeth, he’s a champion cuddler who loves to bunny-kick, deliver (mostly gentle) bites, and stir up trouble for his sister, Priscilla. Equal parts mischievous and affectionate, Reggie has a big personality in a small, scrappy package - and he knows it

Ricki is a 7-year-old orange tabby who hates everyone but Marcella. Her favorite things include crunching on Cheetos, sunbathing, and getting belly rubs—but only at her convenience— even if that means meowing loudly at 4 am for attention. Ricki also tends to hide and not want to be found so she’s on 24/7-hour house arrest for Marcella’s ease of mind (aka there’s an Air Tag attached to her bedazzled collar). Additional names for Ricki include Rick, Rickers, Princessa Linda Bella Mi Amor, My Shayla, and Perro dog

Priscilla is the 11-year-old grande dame of the household, living out her golden years with equal parts dignity and mischief. Her raspy, “pack-a-day” meow perfectly mirrors her personality: gravelly, dramatic, and impossible to ignore. She thrives on being pet while she eats (and will sometimes fake a few bites just to keep the affection coming). Though dignified most of the time, she occasionally indulges her mischievous side with a good carpet scoot, reminding everyone that even seasoned cats still know how to cause a little trouble.

Mochi is a 4-year-old tortoiseshell; a quintessential scaredy cat if she doesn’t know you, and incredibly loving if she does. She enjoys belly rubs, chasing strings, and birdwatching from the comfort of her own bed - cardinals are her favorite. She is a quinter fears include the left side of Gwen’s computer, vet offices (where she will inevitably end up wedged in the highest corner possible) and strangers.

Monza is a rambunctious orange kitten who immediately stole Zoe’s heart. Some of his favorite things to do are birdwatching from his perch, playing fetch with one of his many toys, and cuddling with anyone willing to give him attention. He is currently working on his second treat puzzle, as the first one Zoe bought was easily solved in less than four days. 

Violet is a spunky 6-year-old tuxedo who is fondly known as "Violent Violet" as her favorite hobbies include aggressively chasing little red dots, knocking over cups, and crazy 2 am zoomies. Born and raised on a farm, Violet has gone from living in a house with dogs and cats to living on her own, and she has made it clear that she will not go back to living with other furry roommates. In her free time, she enjoys hiding in cabinets and cupboards, looking out the window from her cat tower, and lazing on her favorite pillow. She is in her peaceful era! 

Aspen is what we would call a scrunchie bandit. Hair ties are not safe in her household...one minute it is on the counter, the next it is under the couch, never to be seen again. When she is not clocked in as a cat burglar, Aspen is a very sweet and cuddly kitten who loves to play with toys (not scrunchies) with Sam.

Henry is a kitten who knows what he wants and will vocalize this. He often pushes in front of his sister when it is time to eat or when Sam is giving them treats. Henry loves to play with his sister, but unfortunately for Sam, he is not afraid to zoom across her face in the middle of the night and jolt her awake.