Melissa is the first individual in her family to graduate with a bachelor's degree. She is a Psychology major with political science and Japanese minors graduating with honors. Melissa was awarded a UCCS Undergraduate Research Academy grant for Psychology researching ecological momentary assessment and how to implement it in a new intervention study assisting trauma-exposed individuals to create better sleep habits and improve their mental health with Dr. Steve Bistricky. In addition, she received a UCCS Undergraduate Research Academy grant for Political Science researching public perception of ballistic missile defense systems. Melissa received a  UCCS Undergraduate Research Travel Award to co-present two posters at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 2023 conference, is a member of Psi Chi, obtained a Trauma Training Program Certificate from the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, and received a Research Assistantship through the QUAD (local student project organization) concluding with an oral presentation of research findings at the National Security Strategic Studies Partnership conference (N3SP). She has been active in research in Dr. Bistricky’s laboratory at UCCS.  After graduation, Melissa plans to gain additional clinical and research experience for a couple of years to improve chances of being accepted to a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program, with a particular concentration on mind-body connections.

Shannon is a Psychology major with a minor in Human Services. She is a Chancellors Award recipient as well as a first-generation student. Currently Shannon is a research assistant in both the Cognitive Development Lab and the Pathways from Early experience to Regulation and Child Health (PERCH) lab. She is currently the Vice President for the International honor society in Psychology (Psi Chi). After graduation she plans to pursue a masters/ doctoral career in Adolescent trauma assessment and treatment.