Ivette Merced

Ivette is a doctoral student in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies. Born in Puerto Rico, she and her family settled in California. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in Psychology at the University of Southern California, with minors in Forensics and Criminal Justice, and earned a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University. While at Columbia, she served as a research assistant in a psychiatric hospital on a large National Institute of Health study of substance abuse. She also interned at the United Nations, where she worked with the American Psychological Association to promote collaborations in the areas of mental health, immigration, refugees, families, aging, and ageism. After being elected to participate in the Federal Education Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., Ivette graduated from Chapman University with a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree in School Psychology. Her doctoral research will focus on mental health services and assessments for children and adolescents, with an emphasis on finding solutions that are culturally responsive, especially for refugee and immigrant populations. In addition to her professional interests, she is an avid swimmer, cyclist, hiker, and backpacker.