DESTINY A.

WILLIS
School: University of South Carolina Aiken Home: 3230 Puckett Ferry Road
471 University Parkway, Cross Hill, SC 29332
Aiken, SC 29801 (864) 923-0832
Willisda@usca.edu Dawc723@gmail.com

EDUCATION

University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC Expected December 2019

Masters of Science in Applied Clinical Psychology
(GPA= 3.676/4.0)

Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC May 2017

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with Honors
(overall GPA= 3.71; major GPA=3.750)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Center for Student Achievement, Academic Success Coach 2018-2019

 Meet with students on academic probation to set goals for academic success/progress
 Researched, prepared and orally presented presentations (e.g., college email etiquette, to
drop or not to drop a class, psychological wellness in a college setting)
 Developed and presented information to incoming students about the services offered
through the achievement center during orientation
 Reached out to “at-risk” students via phone/email
 Referred students to other services offered on campus to achieve academic success

Practicum in Clinical/Counseling Psychology, Psychology Trainee 2018-2019

 Provide a variety of psychotherapy to clients (e.g., ACT, DBT, CBT)
 Administered assessments (e.g., SCID) & wrote reports for feedback sessions
 Planned therapy sessions to meet client needs
 Actively attended and participated in clinical supervision

NeuroBehavioral Associates, Psychological Examiner/Psychology Therapist Trainee 2018

 Administered neuropsychological assessments (e.g., WAIS-IV)
 Provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and wrote progress notes
 Planned therapy sessions and attended clinical supervision

University of South Carolina Aiken, Graduate Teaching Assistant 2017-2018

 Developed lesson plans, created weekly quizzes, graded writing assignments, held office
hours to assist students, organized study sessions, proctored exams, taught lab
independently every Friday during the academic semester
 Conducted several brain dissection demonstrations to < 200 students
Curriculum Vitae- Willis 2

Presbyterian College, Peer Tutor 2015-2017

 Developed lesson plans, teaching and guiding students in their academic courses,
particularly in psychology, biology, and religion, assigning tasks to complete, and
developing interactive academic games for tutees to engage in
 Assessed individuals’ specific learning styles to personalize lesson plans

James H. Thomason Library, Circulation Desk Assistant 2014-2017

 Knowledgeable in general library science skills such as computer cataloging, research
article databases, and the Dewey Decimal classification system
 Worked independently and responsibly with minimal supervision
 Opened and closed the library independently
 Cooperated as a team member and performed duties essential to library operations
 Performed peer relations services, maintaining positive interpersonal relationships

Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, Student Laboratory Assistant 2015-2016

 Gained experience operating standard laboratory equipment, adhering to specific
procedures for health and safety guidelines, applying protocols for analyzing data and
conducting experiments, scientific analysis, understanding and applying biological and
chemistry concepts, as well as chemical handling and preparation

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC

Neuroscience Club, Graduate Representative, Psychology Department 2018-2019

 Provide support and assistance for officer board
 Recruit other graduate students for membership
 Organize and supervise events

Psi Chi Graduate Vice President, Psychology Department 2018-2019

 Mentor for undergraduate Psi Chi officers

Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC

Psychology Graduate School Panel, Discussant Guest Fall 2018

 Explained graduate school process/admissions
 Discussed GRE preparation techniques (e.g., Kaplan University free services)

CHAMPS Program Mentor Summer 2017

 Lead summer camp for one month for students grades 7-12
 Taught neuroscience and art course
 Completed workshops (e.g., Darkness to Light program and cardiopulmonary
resuscitation course)
Curriculum Vitae- Willis 3

National Alliance on Mental Illness, Oral Discussion January 2017

 Researched statistics about mental health disorders
 Prepared 30 minute speech
 Presented to local NAMI group about anxiety and depression

Psi Chi President, Psychology Department 2016-2017

 Organized an induction ceremony to initiate new members of PC’s Psi Chi Chapter
 Engaged in public speaking roles during meetings and prepared professional informative
emails
 Planned events and budgeted money
 Communicated with the members through pictures and posts on social media (e.g.
Instagram)
 Served as the student representative for house meetings

Spectrum (Gay-Straight Alliance) Vice-President 2016-2017

 Planned weekly meetings and encouraged open discussion via developing specific topics
and themes to address each meeting
 Communicated with the members and organized events
 Advocated for the LGBTQ+ community and strived to enhance awareness on the
Presbyterian College campus
 Took minutes in place of secretary and led meetings as president in their absences

Women’s Leadership Committee Member 2016-2017

 Encouraged women to develop meaningful leadership skills as they discover their unique
identity within the Presbyterian College community and the world
 Refocused the structure of the annual Women's Leadership Conference to a student-
driven model
 Worked with faculty and other students on the Women's Leadership Committee to
rethink a "Women's Leadership Project" that was hosted for Women's History Month

Quality Enhancement Plan Development Team Summer 2016

 Collaborated with faculty from various fields during meetings
 Developed a student designed minor example specific to my interest in neuropsychology
 Only student at Presbyterian College to serve on this committee

Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority member 2013-2017

 Participated in a variety of volunteer community service and fundraising activities
 Worked with a diverse group of individuals
 Lead and participated in group activities

Sigma Sigma Sigma Sisterhood Chair 2014-2016

 Organized and planned events under time constraints while maintaining a budget
 Gave several oral presentations on a variety of lecture topics, including interpersonal
conflict within the chapter
 Served the longest in this chair position during my collegiate career
Curriculum Vitae- Willis 4

AWARDS AND HONORS

Meritorious Graduate Standing 2018
Who’s Who Among Students Award 2017
Psi Chi Member of the Week 2017
Dean’s List 2016(fall)
Provost’s List 2014 (spring), 2014 (fall), 2015 (spring), 2015 (fall), 2016 (spring)
President’s List 2013 (fall)
Psi Chi: The International Honor Society of Psychology member since 2015
Order of Omega Honor Society member since 2016
Featured in PC Pride newsletter as well as several local 2015
newspapers about accomplishments in Dr. Askew’s laboratory
Won Best Presentation Award at Big South Undergraduate 2015
Research Symposium

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

University of South Carolina Aiken, Psychology Department, Aiken, SC

The Relationship of Impulsivity and Alpha Band Activity During an Attention Task: An EEG
Study (2019-present), Masters Graduate Thesis
 Literature review and developed research methods
 Proposal defense to thesis committee
 Submitted and obtained IRB approval
 EEG data collection

Electroencephalogram (EEG) Lab (2017-present), Dr. Laura Swain’s laboratory

 Giving informed consent to participants
 Preparing the EEG equipment onto the participant (fitting participant for a cap,
applying electrode gel to participants scalp through a fitted cap and applying face
electrodes)
 Working the electronic equipment (BrainVision PyCorder Software and Brainwave
Analyzer)
 Weekly meetings with lab and lab mentor

Presbyterian College, Psychology Department, Clinton, SC

Multisensory Investigations (2016), Dr. Kate Anderson’s laboratory

 Employed the use of MATLAB
 Conducted a literature review of multisensory processes, particularly vision and
audition
 Assisted in computer program code writing
 Gave assessments to participants
Curriculum Vitae- Willis 5

Collaborative Honors Research (2016), “The Effects of Social Conflict on Anxiety and
Avoidance”, Dr. Evelyn Hunter’s laboratory
 Employed the use of Qualtrics to survey college students
 Conducted a literature review on Anxiety and Avoidance
 Completed a submission form for IRB approval
 Familiarized myself with scales used for Anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory) and
Avoidance (General and Specific Avoidance Questionnaire)

Independent Honors Research (2015-16), “Retention of Conflict-induced Avoidance

Behavior in Male Syrian Hamsters”, Dr. Alicia Askew’s laboratory
 Experience in proposal writing, data collection, research methods, laboratory animal
care and handling, mentoring other students in laboratory protocol, creating protocols,
literature review, conducting experiments independently, and creating presentations
and posters for oral presentation.
 Conducted the experiment using the lab’s Conflict Alleyway with little to no
supervision
o This data collection investigated social conflict behavior in Syrian hamsters.
The apparatus used could serve as an animal model for physiological
disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Research Assistant Mentor (2015), Dr. Alicia Askew’s laboratory

 Mentored and advised other research students in Dr. Askew’s laboratory for summer
fellows program
 Researched data collection, research methods, laboratory animal care and handling
while studying male Syrian hamsters as animal behavior models for physiological and
behavioral aspects of human disorders
 Developed leadership skills and independence in a laboratory setting
 Spent 120 hours conducting research, providing animal care, and training other
students in lab and presentation skills
o Assisted in the data collection for Persistence of Avoidance Behavior in
Defeated Male Syrian Hamsters poster by Ashlyn Bordelon

Volunteer Research Data Collector (2015), Dr. Brooke Spatta’s research

 Administered assessments to adolescents (6th-10th grate) in a summer program for
research collection and read aloud in-depth questionnaires for this group to complete
o This study assessed self-esteem and peer evaluations for self-perception. The
psychologists Susan Harter and Brooke Spatta made these questionnaires.

Research Assistant Intern (2015), “Effect of Defeat Frequency on Learned Avoidance in Syrian
Hamsters”, Dr. Alicia Askew’s laboratory
 Conducted data collection, exemplified knowledge of research methods, read
articles, developed poster and oral presentations while studying male Syrian
hamsters as animal behavior models for physiological and behavioral aspects of
human disorders
 Aided in laboratory animal care and handling upon completing required training
Curriculum Vitae- Willis 6

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

Conference Presentations

University of South Carolina Aiken

Willis, D. The Relationship of Impulsivity and Alpha Band Activity During an Attention Task: An
EEG Study. Accepted for poster presentation at the September 2019 Society for
Psychophysiological Research Conference.

Burton, J., Willis, D., Husid D., Culpepper L., and Swain, L, Ph.D. (2018, April). The Influence
of Depressive Symptoms on FRN Amplitude: An EEG Study. South Carolina Psychological
Association (SCPA) Annual Convention, Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina.
*Won Second Place SCPA Graduate Award

Presbyterian College

Willis, D. (2016, April) Retention of Conflict-induced Avoidance Behavior in Male Syrian

Hamsters. Symposium for Young Neuroscientist and Professors of the SouthEast (SYNAPSE)
Conference, Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC.

Bordelon, A., and Willis, D. (2016, April). Persistence and Retention of Conflict Induced
Avoidance Behavior in Defeated Male Syrian Hamsters. Accepted for poster presentation at the
April 2016 Carolinas Psychology Conference.

Fulenwider, H., Willis, D. (2015, April). Effect of Defeat Frequency on Learned Avoidance in
Syrian Hamsters. Poster presented at the 7th Annual Big South Undergraduate Research
Symposium, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC.
*Won a BigSURS presentation award

Oral Presentations

Bordelon, A., and Willis, D. (2017, April). The Effects of Social Conflict on Anxiety
and Avoidance. Presbyterian College Honors Day Symposium, Clinton, SC.

Willis, D. (2017, April). Persistence of Avoidance Responses in Male Syrian Hamsters.

Presbyterian College Honors Day Symposium, Clinton, SC.

Bordelon, A., and Willis, D. (2016, December). The Effects of Social Conflict on Anxiety
and Avoidance. Presbyterian College Honors Defense Presentation, Clinton, SC.

Bordelon, A., and Willis, D. (2016, September). The Effects of Social Conflict on Anxiety
and Avoidance. Presbyterian College Honors Proposal Presentation, Clinton, SC.
Curriculum Vitae- Willis 7

Willis, D. (2015, September). Retention of Conflict-induced Avoidance Behavior in Male Syrian

Hamsters. Presbyterian College Honors Proposal Presentation, Clinton, SC.

Fulenwider, H. & Willis, D. (2015, April). Effect of Defeat Frequency on Learned

Avoidance in Syrian hamsters. Presbyterian College Honors Day Symposium, Clinton, SC.

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

University of South Carolina Aiken

PSYC A600 Ethical and Professional Issues in the Practice of Psychology Grade: A
PSYC A620 Psychopathology Grade: B
PSYC A640 Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling Grade: B+
PSYC A701 Theories and Techniques of Psychotherapy I Grade: A
PSYC A625 Statistics and Research Methods Grade: A
PSYC A680 Assessment I Grade: B
PSYC A702 Theories and Techniques of Psychotherapy II Grade: A
PSYC A780 Assessment II Grade: B
PSYC A798 Thesis Preparation Grade: Satisfactory
PSYC A790 Practicum in Clinical/Counseling Psychology Grade: A
PSYC A650 Learning, Cognition, and Behavior Grade: B
PSYC A760 Neuroscience Grade: B
PSYC A790 Practicum in Clinical/Counseling Psychology Grade: A
PSYC A630 Career and Lifestyle Development Grade: A
PSYC A610 Developmental Psychology Grade: A
PSYC A791 Advanced Practicum in Clinical/Counseling Psychology Grade: A
PSYC A725 Group Therapy and Counseling Grade: A
PSYC A700 Assessment and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Grade: A
PSYC A791 Advanced Practicum in Clinical/Counseling Psychology Grade: A
PSYC A799 Thesis Grade: Satisfactory

Presbyterian College
PSYC 205 Experimental Study of Behavior Grade: A
PSYC 458 Neuroscience in Pop Culture Grade: A
PSYC 442 Multisensory Investigations Grade: Satisfactory
PSYC 398 Collaborative Honors Research (2016) Grade: Honors
PSYC 301 Abnormal Psychology Grade: A-
PSYC 316 Systems and Theories of Psychology Grade: A
PSYC 320 Research Statistics Grade: B+
PSYC 407 Sensation and Perception Grade: B+
PSYC 398 Independent Honors Research (2015-6) Grade: Honors
BIOL 112 Organismal Biology Grade: A
PSYC 307 Test and Measurements Grade: B
PSYC 398 Psychology Capstone Grade: Satisfactory
PSYC 452 Avoidance Learning in Hamsters (Independent Honors Proposal) Grade: A
PSYC 318 Physiological Psychology Grade: B
COLS 2000 Vocation, Leadership, Service Grade: A
Curriculum Vitae- Willis 8

BIOL 105 Biological Concepts & Lab Grade: B

PSYC 444 Research Assistant Intern Grade: Satisfactory
SEAC 201 Public Speaking Grade: A
PSYC 361 Drugs and Behavior Grade: A-
PSYC 201 Introductory Psychology Grade: A

REFERENCES

Sheneika Lofton – Supervisor

Coordinator of Academic Coaching and Counseling
Center for Student Achievement
University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC 29801
Phone: (803) 641-3297
Email: sheneikal@usca.edu

Meredith Elzy, Ph. D. –Professor / Supervisor

Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: (813) 486-6381
Email: melzy@ut.edu

Beverly Blalock – Supervisor

Head of Circulation
Thomason Library
Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC 29325
Phone (864) 833-8299
Email: bblalock@presby.edu

Alicia Askew, Ph. D. – Laboratory Supervisor / Research Mentor / Academic Advisor

Dean of Academic Programs
Office of the Provost
Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC 29325
Phone: (864) 833-8215
Email: jaaskew@presby.edu