Meet the Team

Renae D. Mayes, PhD, NCC – Principal Investigator (University of Arizona)

Dr. Renae D. Mayes is an associate professor in the Department of Disability & Psychoeducational Studies at the University of Arizona where she prepares masters and doctoral level students to be counselors and counselor educators. She is a licensed school counselor and national certified counselor with experience in K-12 schools along with specialized educational settings. Dr. Mayes’s research agenda centers around the creation of Black joy and homeplace for Black students including, Black boys, girls, and gifted Black students with dis/abilities. Mayes’ research details the experience of students and families navigating schools, while also providing recommendations for dismantling systems of oppression through policy and antiracist practice. Further, Dr. Mayes has extended this research to include implications for leadership, advocacy, and collaboration for school counselors and school administrators.

Dr. Mayes provides broad leadership, vision, and oversight for Black Youth Mental Health Initiative, (BYMHI); overseeing the budget, selection of advisory council members; policy assessment, intervention, and evaluation; approving BYMHI program designs; and facilitating relationships with  RPS and other partners. Dr. Mayes co-leads weekly BYMHI team meetings, co-leads the Advisory Council, co-leads the policy assessment process utilizing the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, supports the development and implementation of professional development opportunities, and dissemination of BYMHI program efforts and results.
 

Lauren C. Mims, PhD – Co-Principal Investigator (New York University)

Dr. Lauren C. Mims is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Dr. Mims was formerly Assistant Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans during the Obama Administration, where she focused her efforts on student programming, policymaking, strategic planning, and management of projects and priorities. She was a member of the White House Council on Women and Girls, the U.S. Department of Education Policy Committee, the U.S. Department of Education Socioeconomic Diversity Working Group, as well as a member of First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach Higher Working Group.

Dr. Mims' research examines how school environments influence how African American youth learn and develop their identities. Broadly, the ultimate goal of Dr. Mims' research is to “freedom dream” (Kelley, 2002) with Black children and their families, and then use that brilliance to guide the development of new research, policies, practices, and narratives. Working closely with PI Mayes, Dr. Mims assists in the planning and execution of all facets of the grant including research design, recruitment, data collection, interpretation of results, curriculum development, and dissemination. Dr. Mims’ primary leadership include

1. leading qualitative data collection and analysis
2. co-leading engagement with members of the school district, community, and advisory council
3. developing and implementing a professional development summit and sustained community of practice for educators.

Paul C. Harris, PhD, NCC, NCSC – Creative Thought Partner

Dr. Harris is an educational consultant who formerly served as a tenured associate professor and professional school counselor in K-20 schools. He earned his B.S.Ed. in Health & Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Medicine and his M.Ed. in School Counseling from the University of Virginia. He worked as a high school counselor for several years prior to completing his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Maryland, where the program's emphasis was on promoting systemic equity, access, and justice in schools through counseling. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University. His area of focus includes 1) Promoting the academic, emotional, and career development of K-20 students and adults, with emphasis on Black communities; 2) Facilitating the identity development process of Black male student-athletes; and 3) Cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations. He has experience in policy and program development in P-12 schools along with a record of building strategic partners in schools, communities, and higher education.

Dr. Harris serves as the consultant supporting all aspects of BYMHI through collaboration with the PI, Co-PI, and RPS Liaison. In particular, Dr. Harris is based in Richmond, VA, and attends regular BYMHI activities, co-leads Advisory Council meetings, and support the policy assessment process utilizing the PRECEDE/PROCEED model. Additionally, Dr. Harris supports the BYMHI program design along with development of professional development and training opportunities for social workers, school psychologists, school counselors, etc. including modules for the online repository.

Mandy Dhahan, MA - Graduate Assistant

Mandy Dhahan is Licensed school counselor whose research interests include serving the whole child and understanding what interventions, strategies, and supports embody resilience and inclusion. Under the mentorship of Dr. Mayes, Ms. Dhahan is a member of the Black Youth Mental Health Initiative research team as a graduate assistant and student at the University of Arizona. Ms. Dhahan offers her dedication to working with students and school communities by leading with compassion and honoring cultural diversity.