Amanda Flowers

Dr. Amanda Flowers, who was among the first cohort of Kent State University (KSU) Ronald E. McNair Scholars, graduated Cum Laude in May 2001, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Dr. Flowers list of outstanding achievements during her academic career at KSU include, Department of Pan-African Studies Freshman Award, four Ebony Achievement Awards, Globe Metallurgical Challenge Scholarship, Honors College member, four KSU African American Student Scholarship Fund Awards, KSU Student Ambassador, Mortar Board National Honor Society (Vice President, 2000-2001), Pi Gamma Mu National Honor Society, Presidents and Deans Lists, Recognition of Deans List from the Ohio House of Representatives, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Certificate of Excellence, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Research Achievement Award, Senior Recognition Award, and two Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges Awards.

Shortly after graduating from KSU, Dr. Flowers attended graduate school at the University of Cincinnati (UC) where she received a Master of Arts degree in December 2003, and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in August 2006, both in Clinical Psychology.

Throughout her graduate endeavors, Dr. Flowers was a member of the Association of Black Psychologists and she was awarded the UC Yates Fellowship for first-year graduate students, a UC Graduate Scholarship for her remaining years as a graduate student, National Deans List Awards, The Chancellors List Award, and she was the First KSU Ronald E. McNair Scholar to receive a doctorate degree. At the same time, Dr. Flowers participated in numerous research projects that have led to presentations at more than twelve professional conferences throughout the United States, as well as co-authorships on five articles that are in the process of being submitted for publication in professional journals.

Through Dr. Flowers tenure to become a Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, she gained a passion for promoting diversity in the mental health field. In February 2007, Dr. Flowers was awarded a two year Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to complete a postdoctoral research fellowship at The Ohio State University (OSU).

Dr. Flowers is currently completing this fellowship and collaborates on research projects at OSU, The OSU Medical Center, and the Columbus Childrens Hospital Research Institute. Her research focuses on the influence of demographic and cultural factors on the assessment and treatment of child and adolescent psychosocial functioning. Throughout the two year fellowship, Dr. Flowers will have the opportunity to explore these issues among a variety of mental health domains (e.g., depression, bipolar spectrum disorders, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, conduct disorder, substance use disorders, and autism) and she anticipates publishing at least seven journal articles from this research. Upon completing her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Flowers anticipates continuing her career of researching issues that promote diversity in the mental health field.

D'Andra Mull

Dr. D'Andra Mull is a member of the inaugural class of the Kent State University Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program. While an undergraduate at Kent State, Ms. Mull served as Executive Director of the Undergraduate Student Senate, a KSU Student Ambassador, and President of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. She was also voted the 2001 Kent State University Homecoming Queen.

D'Andra completed her undergraduate degree at KSU in 2002, and has continued full steam ahead in her academic pursuits. She moved on to complete her Masters of Arts in Eduacation at Michigan State University in 2004, and this past June, became the second KSU McNair Scholar to fulfill the mission of the program by earning her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in Higher Education.

In the OSU Higher Education program, D'Andra holds the distinction of being the youngest person to graduate with the doctorate, while also being the first student ever to complete the program in three years. Upon her graduation, Dr. Mull was asked to join the faculty in the College of Education and Human Ecology as an an Adjunct Assistant Professor specializing in retention, student development theory, and paradigms of diversity. Additionally, she serves as Special Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs where she is responsible for policy, professional, and program development for staff, is the Chair of the OSU Council on Diversity, and also manages the Division's undergraduate and graduate continuing education programs.