Jana Robina Onwong'a

Performance, growth, and wellness-driven behavior and social scientist who supports individuals and organizations. 5+ years of experience working with individuals whose goals are related to personal healing, psychosocial and emotional concerns, and career counseling. Additional experience supporting and consulting with organizations in areas related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, mental wellness, social impact, strategic communications, brand marketing, and strategic transformation.

Manuscripts (3):

• McGillen, G.G., Martinez, L.D., Eddy, C.L., Onwong’a, J.R., Rhames, A., & Park. C.J. (2020). Student Affiliates of Seventeen (SAS) 2020 Report: Transitioning to leadership in a historic year. The Counseling Psychologist, 48(8), 1131-1148. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000020964189
• Onwong’a, J.R., Rhames, A., & McGillen, G. G. (2021). Student Affiliates of Seventeen (SAS) 2021 Report. The Counseling Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000211037557
• Onwong’a, J.R., Slaten, C.D., & McClain, S. (2021). “AmeriKenyan”: Lived acculturation and ethnic identification of Kenyan natives during their youth. https://doi.org/10.1177/00957984211039861

Lectures, Panels, & Presentations

• Onwonga, J.R. (2019, July). “AmeriKenyan”: Lived acculturation and ethnic identification of Kenyan natives during their youth. Paper presentation for SAGE Student Research Award at The Association of Black Psychologists 51st Convention, Orlando, FL.
• Onwonga, J.R., Milord, J., & Washington, D. (2019, May). Racial identity and belonging for students of color. Concurrent Session at the 30th Annual Wakonse Conference on College Teaching, Shelby, MI.
• Onwonga, J.R., Ferguson, J.F., & Milord, J. (2019, April). Break every chain: Deconstructing the African diasporic identities as clinicians. Presented at Counseling Psychology Professional Leadership Seminar at University of Missouri College of Education. Columbia, MO.
• Onwonga, J.R. & Slaten, C.D. (2019, April). Understanding the immigration experience of Kenyan natives in the U.S.A.: Acculturation, identity, and mental health. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting for Division E - Counseling and Human Development Poster Session, Toronto, Canada.
• Onwonga, J.R., Ferguson, J.F., & Milord, J. (2019, February). Break Every Chain: Deconstructing the African diasporic identities in higher education. Roundtable Discussion at the 36th Annual Winter Roundtable Conference in Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY.
• Ferguson, J., Onwonga, J.R., & Sebastian, B., & Faloughi, R., (2018, February). Understanding the Black and White male experience of race-related campus protest. Presented at Counseling Psychology Professional Leadership Seminar, Columbia, MO.
• Onwonga, J.R. (2017, January). Suffering in silence: Mental health stigma in the African American community. Presented for Bi-Directional Cross-Cultural Immersion Program, Taipei, TW.

Community Workshops, Outreach, & Programming

• Onwonga, J.R. & Rhames, A. (2019, September). Mizzou Made Professional Development: Graduate school. Invited panelist for the University of Missouri Athletics, Columbia, MO.
• Boggs, K., Gabbard, J., Milord, J., Onwonga, J.R., & Washington, D. (2019, May). Mental health: Helping students in distress. Concurrent Session at the 30th Annual Wakonse Conference on College Teaching, Shelby, MI.
• Onwonga, J.R. (2019, January). The soul of the story: Allowing our identities to facilitate our healing. Workshop Session at The Social Justice Symposium: “Sense of Belonging”, Columbia, MO.
• Onwonga, J.R. (2018, March). Know your hurt, know yourself: There is more to life. Interactive session about healing and trauma presented at Women’s Leadership Conference: “YOUnity” for Empowerment Breakout Session, Columbia, MO.
• Abdool, K., & Onwonga, J.R. (2017, November). Looking into the mind: Mental health in the Kenyan community. Panel at the Kenyan Community Church 7th Annual Youth Worship Weekend, Minneapolis, MN.

Show Me FIRST Intervention Provider Training (October 2021)

• Provided by: Kristin Hawley, Ph.D.; MU, Department of Psychological Sciences; Director, MU Center for Evidence-Based Youth Mental Health
• Format & Duration: Workshop (virtual), 3.45 CEU hours
• Title: Show Me FIRST: A Common Elements Treatment Approach for Emotional Concerns
• Intermediate-Level Workshop for Mental Health Providers

Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, Provider Accreditation (December 2021)

• Provided by: Dr. Terri Williams; Deputy Head of Training for the U.S. at Triple P America
• Accreditation: Primary Care (Level 3) & Seminar

Suicide Assessment and Intervention (October 2020)

• Provided by: Rhonda Oswalt Reitz, Ph.D.; Missouri Department of Mental Health
• Format & Duration: Workshop (virtual), 7 CEU hours
• Title: Taking the Guesswork out of Suicide Assessment and Intervention

The Complexities of Racial Trauma (August 2020)

• Provided by: The Association of Black Psychologists & The National Association of Black Social Workers
• Format & Duration: Workshop (virtual), 3.5 CEU hours
• Title of Series: The Pandemics of COVID-19: Healing Through Ujima (translation of “Ujima” = collective work & responsibility)

The Association of Black Psychologists Sawubona Healing Circles Training (June 2020)

• Provided by: Tania Lodge, Ph.D.; Minority Behavioral Health Group & Evan Auguste, M.A.; Fordham University
• Format & Duration: Workshop (virtual), 2 hours
• Format & Duration: Workshop (virtual), 2 CEU hours

The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi)

• Social Media Virtual Impact Team (2019-Present)
• Student Circle Communications Chair (2018-2021)
• Student Circle Secretary (2017-2018)

The American Psychological Association (APA) Society of Counseling Psychology (SCP), Student Affiliates of Seventeen (SAS)

• SAS Co-Chair ( 2020-2021)
• SAS Social Justice & Equity Committee Co-Chair (2019-2020)