Melissa

Spencer

Academic Title

Assistant Professor of Practice, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Research Interests
  • African American Mental Health
  • African American College Student Mental Health
  • Human Sexuality
  • Food Insecurity in College Athletes
  • Multicultural Issues in Counseling
  • Racial Trauma
  • Cyberbullying
Research Summary

My primary research interests include racial trauma and mental health stigma surrounding African Americans and African American college students. I am interested in the way the medical professions historical mistreatment of African Americans influences the consumption of mental health services. My other interests include food insecurity in collegiate athletes, community outreach of mental health services, and cyberbullying.

Education
  • Ph.D., Ph.D., The University of Mississippi
  • M.S., Jackson State University
  • B.S., Belhaven College
Areas of Expertise
  • Applied Behavioral Analysis
  • Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
  • Community Mental Health
  • NGRI
  • Emergency Psychiatry
  • Substance Use
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health
  • Play Therapy
Recent Publications

Spencer, M., et al. (2021). African American College Students First Experiences in Counseling.[Doctoral dissertation, The University of Mississippi]. ProQuest. https://www.etdadmin.com/b4bb4052-c1a3-4bff-a10b-2aa8ca7be014