Majors: Psychology and Child Development
Minor: Spanish
Biography:
Abril Ayanna Correa is a third-year student pursuing a degree in Psychology (BS) and a degree in Child Development (BS) with a minor in Spanish and an academic certificate in Diversity and Inclusion. She was born and raised in Jerome, Idaho to immigrant parents and as the oldest of three, she led out to set an example for her siblings and family as a first-generation student. Her family has always been a source of motivation and empowerment for her education, and she has always worked hard on excelling as a student. As a first-year student at the University of Idaho, she formed part of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s List for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, and again as a second-year student in Spring 2022. A key piece in helping her find all these opportunities and resources as a first-year first-generation student at U of I was the university’s College Assistance Migrant Program. In search of a home away from home that aligned with her core beliefs, she became a sister of Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc., a multicultural sorority, that promotes Unity, Honesty, Integrity, and Leadership. Abril currently serves as the Vice President, Co-Historian, and Council Delegate of her sorority alongside being the Public Relations Chair for the Multicultural Greek Council.
Currently, Abril works for the Idaho Center on Disabilities and Human Development with IdahoSTARS. She also had the opportunity to participate as a research assistant working under Dr. Annie Roe. Her research supported the state-wide project titled “Early Beef Consumption in Idaho: Perceptions, Practices, and Relationship to Child Cognition”. Her aspiration to obtain a Ph.D. motivated her to join the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. Her independent research project titled “Self-Image of Adult Children of Alcoholics” was done under the mentorship of Dr. Shiyi Chen. Her research interest on the impacts of childhood trauma on adult life come due to her experience as a daughter of an alcoholic. Although her father was able to overcome his addiction and embrace his sobriety, she knows that not many children of alcoholics have the same luck to see their loved ones overcome addiction and find closure to the trauma inflicted upon them. Dr. Chen has been an amazing mentor and Abril still works closely with Dr. Chen as she forms part of her Graduate Student’s Lab Meetings. She presented her research in the MKN McNair Heartland Research Conference and hopes to present at the APA 2023 Conference in Washington D.C. this summer.
Abril intends to graduate from the University of Idaho in May of 2024 and attend graduate school to obtain her Master’s and Ph.D. as a Clinical Child Psychologist specializing in Developmental Trauma. As a result of her life events, she wants to specialize in developmental trauma and conduct research on ways that the education system can be improved to prevent chronic trauma, develop early identification protocols, and create early intervention programs. She wants to aid children in unstable circumstances and support them by addressing any traumatic circumstances occurring within their household. She hopes that, through these efforts, children’s abilities as individuals will be strengthened to be the best version of themselves.
