Chidinma Okeke

Recent University of Maryland Psychology Graduate pursuing opportunities in clinical or research settings, dedicated to serving marginalized communities.

• Dean's List Recognition, University of Maryland
• PREP Summer Research Grant, $1,000, University of Maryland, July 2024

• R Studio

• Okeke, C. S. (2025, March 15). A Qualitative Analysis of How Violence Influences Social-Psychological Wellbeing and Safety Among Street-Identified Black Women and Girls. [Oral Presentation]. The 26th National Conference for McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research.
• Okeke, C. S. (2024, July 1). A Qualitative Analysis of How Violence Influences Social-Psychological Wellbeing and Safety Among Street-Identified Black Women and Girls. [Oral Presentation]. University of Maryland Ronald E. McNair Summer Research Institute
• Okeke, C. S. (2024, July 3). A Qualitative Analysis of How Violence Influences Social-Psychological Wellbeing and Safety Among Street-Identified Black Women and Girls. [Poster presentation]. University of Maryland Ronald E. McNair Summer Research Institute
• Okeke, C. S. (2024, April 7). An Inquiry of Social Psychological Well-being and Trauma Among Street-Identified Black Women in a Violent, Small City. [Poster presentation ]. 2024 Trio Student Access and Success Conference at North Carolina Central University
• Okeke, C. S. (2024, March 16). An Inquiry of Social Psychological Well-being and Trauma Among Street-Identified Black Women in a Violent, Small City. [Oral Presentation].The 25th National Conference for McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research.
• Okeke, C. S. (2024, March 15). An Inquiry of Social Psychological Well-being and Trauma Among Street-Identified Black Women in a Violent, Small City. [Poster presentation]. The 25th National Conference for McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research.
• Okeke, C. S. (2023, July 6). An Inquiry of Social Psychological Well-being and Trauma Among Street-Identified Black Women in a Violent, Small City. [Oral Presentation]. University of Maryland Ronald E. McNair Summer Research Institute
• Okeke, C. S. (2023, July 7). An Inquiry of Social Psychological Well-being and Trauma Among Street-Identified Black Women in a Violent, Small City. [Poster Presentation]. University of Maryland Ronald E. McNair Summer Research Institute

University of Maryland                                                                       College Park, MD

Lavender Lab  05/2023 - 10/2024

Faculty Mentor/Principal Investigator: Ethan Mereish, PhD

Project Title: Intersectional Minority Stress, Structural Oppression, and Alcohol Use and Misuse among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents of Color

• Enroll and monitor participants in research study, managing communication and survey retention.
• Recruit adolescents nationwide through social media and community outreach efforts.
• Prepare recruitment materials and collaborate with community partners for participant outreach.
• Conduct literature reviews to support longitudinal retention and community-based research.
• Assist with data cleaning, codebook updates, and analysis to ensure data integrity.
• Create infographics and workshops to share research findings with community members

University of Maryland College Park, MD

Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Summer 2024

Faculty Mentor/Principal Investigator: Brooklynn Hitchens, PhD

Project Title: A Qualitative Analysis of How Violence Influences Social-Psychological Wellbeing and Safety Among Street-Identified Black Women and Girls.

• Participate in a 6-week intensive research program to prepare for doctoral studies
• Awarded a $2,800 stipend
• Expand on research from the previous summer, focusing on different themes, such as trauma and safety, relating to to the adverse experiences of Black women from low income, high crime areas
• Complete a Graduate School Preparation Seminar and Research Writing Course

McNair Independent Research

Summer #2 (05/2024 - 07/2024)

Project Title: A Qualitative Analysis of How Violence Influences Social-Psychological Wellbeing and Safety Among Street-Identified Black Women and Girls

Abstract:  The present research is an expansion on the previous study  (An Inquiry of Social Psychological Well-being and Trauma Among Street- Identified Black Women in a Violent, Small City). Inductive coding and analysis were conducted on 25 out of 50 (n=25) qualitative interviews. This process involved carefully reading and listening to the interviews, while examining commonalities and themes related to social psychological well-being, violence, trauma, and safety. These findings further highlight the complexities of being a black woman from a low socioeconomic background, and underscores the urgency of dismantling harmful stereotypes and ideologies behind Black women’s trauma.

University of Maryland College Park, MD

Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Summer 2023

Faculty Mentor/Principal Investigator: Brooklyn Hitchens, PhD

Project Title: An Inquiry of Social Psychological Well-being and Trauma Among Street-Identified Black Women in a Violent, Small City.

• Participate in a 6-week intensive research program to prepare for doctoral studies
• Awarded a $2,800 stipend
• Analyze the causes and implications of increased violence towards Black women and girls in two low-income Wilmington, DE neighborhoods.
• Conduct a thematic analysis focusing on social-psychological well being and trauma
• Complete a 2-credit research methods course and Graduate School Preparation Seminar

Summer #1 (05/2023 - 07/2023)

Project Title: An Inquiry of Social Psychological Well-being and Trauma Among Street- Identified Black Women in a Violent, Small City

Abstract:  Research urgently bridges the gap between existing Street Life studies and black women's experiences with mental health and violence. Street Participatory Action Research (Street PAR), developed by Yasser Payne, involves the community in the research process. This study, a secondary analysis of Dr. Brooklynn Hitchens' project, focuses on gun-related loss among street-identified black women and girls. Through Street PAR, this analysis specifically centers on black women. Ten interviews revealed common themes like co-victimization and troubled upbringing, highlighting the complex challenges faced by black women in low socioeconomic environments and emphasizing the need to challenge harmful stereotypes surrounding their trauma.