The Psychology Department is pleased to acknowledge six alumni who have made noteworthy contributions to the field. The Under 10 group all graduated since 2013 and each honoree has continued to learn, grow and use their degree to advance the field and their communities in significant ways. We look forward to learning about the remarkable things these talented young scholars will accomplish in the future.
Our NC Distinguished Alum award recognizes an alum who has made a notable contribution to North Carolina. While we have many alumni who give back to NC in meaningful ways, we are especially proud of the work that Dr. Kelly Graves has done through her establishment of the Kellin Foundation.
Our first Distinguished Alum award recognizes the 25-year career contributions of Dr. Michael de Arellano whose research and clinical work has successfully addressed health disparities in underserved communities and made significant contributions to trauma- informed care for youth.
We are pleased to present our third annual list of extraordinary alumni and look forward to honoring more alumni next year!
Under 10 Alumni Award
Kenzie Davis (BA 2016)
Kenzie Davis works for a private practice in Cary, NC as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She carries a caseload of 20- 30 clients weekly consisting of individuals and couples. This population varies in racial makeup and age (14 to 66). Kenzie brings a unique approach to the therapy room building meaningful client relationships and facilitating confidence and power for her clients to grow.
In addition, Kenzie is working hard to grow her own business, Valley To Mountain Guidance Services. Her mission is to provide a safe haven to the community by offering traditional and alternative therapy techniques. Kenzie’s goal is to give back to her small town in hopes of improving mental health and overall well-being.
Lastly, Kenzie is a NC Notary Public and an Ordained Minister through Universal Life Church. In January 2024, Kenzie was featured in Shoutout North Carolina, an online magazine highlighting her achievements and accolades.
Kelly Harper (PhD 2019)
Kelly Harper (she/they) is an investigator and clinical psychologist at the National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, at VA Boston Healthcare System and an assistant professor at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Their research examines trauma, discrimination, and PTSD with the aim of improving treatment for minoritized communities with a focus on LGBTQ+ Veterans. Dr. Harper has 31 peer-reviewed publications and grant funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. They are currently PI on a 5-year grant to test a brief intervention to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms for LGBQ+ Veterans.
Candace Lapan (PhD 2016)
Dr. Candace Lapan is a Developmental Psychologist and Associate Professor at Wingate University. Her research examines the development of children’s academic self-perceptions and social biases. Informed by her postdoctoral training at the University of Virginia, she investigates the impact of service-learning and community engagement (SLCE) practices on student achievement. As the Wingate University SLCE Coordinator, she trains faculty to conduct SLCE courses and community engaged scholarship. She is an active social justice advocate, helping to establish the Wingate University DEI Council, teaching SLCE courses on LGBTQ+ issues, and publishing work on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in higher education.
Catherine Majestic (PhD 2016)
Catherine Majestic received her PhD in Clinical Psychology under the mentorship of Dr. Kari Eddington. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University where she specializes in health psychology with a focus on trauma, grief, and symptom management in the context of cancer and chronic health. Extending clinical practice into research, Dr. Majestic is a lead clinical interventionist in the Cancer Symptoms Management and Support Research Program. This grant-funded research focuses on the development and implementation of interventions to reduce emotional distress, and pain and symptom management for cancer patients and family members across the Southeast.
The NC Distinguised Alum
Holly Miskey (PhD 2013)
Holly Miskey completed her PhD with Rosemery Nelson Gray and is a board-certified neuropsychologist with the Salisbury VA Medical Center, where she is also the co-director of the Psychology Training program and the MIRECC Advanced Psychology Fellowship. She co-facilitates the MIRECC Advanced Neuropsychology seminar series for postdocs which has grown from 5 Salisbury VA trainees to over 30 postdocs, interns, and neuropsychology staff from VA medical centers and academic institutions nationwide. She sought to support local universities by developing training agreements with UNCG for psychology practicum placements and Wake Forest School of Medicine for postdoctoral slots. Dr. Miskey has been actively involved with the International Neuropsychological Society (INS) since 2016, acting as a Program Committee member for three conferences and as Program Co-Chair in 2022, planning the 50th annual, international conference. While serving as Chair of the INS Science Committee, she spearheaded development of Special Interest Groups and an award program to offset cost for students, trainees, and early career neuropsychologists from low- and middle-income countries traveling to the conference. After her tenure, she joined the INS Education Committee where she is in her second term. She is engaged in research with the Salisbury VA MIRECC including publications, conference presentations, and grant activities related to Veteran mental health, cognitive functioning, physical wellbeing, and TBI.
Distinguished Alum
Wendy Ward (PhD 1996)
Wendy L. Ward, Ph.D., ABPP, is a Professor with tenure at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine. She is also an APA Fellow with 30 years of professional experience. Dr. Ward serves in two institution-level positions (across 13 campuses and five colleges and the Graduate School at UAMS) as the Associate Provost for Faculty and Director of Interprofessional Faculty Development. Her career began in collaborative, team-based care initially with obese youth, leading to her overseeing a program integrating psychology services into 38 subspecialty clinics at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She later developed and/or supported a variety of faculty affairs/development programs at the departmental, college, and now institutional level including recruitment, onboarding, faculty development, mentoring, promotion, professional wellness, leadership development, retirement transitioning, and emeriti engagement. Her research interests are in the following areas: faculty development, faculty affairs, professional wellness, integrated behavioral health, executive coaching, interprofessional education, pediatric obesity, and pediatric sleep disorders.
