Staff

Matt Tolbert

Anne Pondi

My name is Anne Pondi, I started out with an associates as a Physical therapist assistant but continued on with school to get a BA in Psychology. My research interests include anthropology and culture, and how these factors affect the psychology of different people groups. I am hoping to go on to join a Masters program that will allow me to continue practicing research skills, to be able to eventually contribute to the body of knowledge in Psychology.

Isabela Cinco

Hi! My name is Bela Cinco, and I am an undergraduate senior pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Industrial Organizational Psychology. I have previously served as an Assistant Dean at Hawaiian Mission Academy, and have enjoyed working with the adolescent population, working to foster a safe place as they attend school away from home. My passion for working with this demographic has led to my case manager work with court ordered family visitations in which has been impactful for both myself and the families I have worked with. I enjoy going on runs, playing intramurals, and hanging out with friends whether it be thrifting, watching a movie or going on a walk. As a recent transfer to Southern, I have found comfort in getting involved with various clubs on campus as well as Residence Life. Being involved has allowed me to stay busy when not in class and has helped with forming connections. My research interests relate to the stigma of mental health and seeking mental health help within Asian American communities and specifically Asian American college students. My interests are in regard to how generational trauma, and cultural, social, and familiar stigma of mental health may be impacting the current generation of Asian Americans as well as the factor of being a 1st generation immigrant and how that might be impactful to seeking mental health help.

Evelyn Pineda

My name is Evelyn Pineda; I am a senior undergraduate majoring in psychology at Southern Adventist University. During my time at Southern, I have volunteered at YMCA Language Immersion Early Learning Center in downtown Chattanooga. This preschool focuses on using a curriculum that teaches kids both English and Spanish. I enjoyed the opportunity to see children develop language learning skills in a bilingual environment. Through this experience, I have a newfound interest in working with kids to develop intellectual and motor skills in a healthy environment. In my free time I enjoy reading, searching for new music, and spending quality time with friends and family. My research interests focus on the effects of parental pressure on choosing a career path, imposter syndrome in first generation college students, and the stress-alleviating properties of music.

Lilly Bennethum

My name is Lilly Bennethum and I am an undergraduate senior pursuing a degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. I have worked with organizations focused on helping survivors of domestic violence through both shelter and outreach services. I have felt a deep sense of purpose working with this population and it has fostered a more nuanced understanding of the importance of support programs for individuals in need that incorporate both mental health and practical services. When I’m not working or in class, I enjoy spending time with friends, trail running, and cooking vegan meals. During my time at Southern, I have come to understand that finding a balance between school, self care, and devotional time is crucial for a healthy mind and body that is ready to serve others. My research interests currently pertain to the experiences of first and second generation immigrants in the United States and the challenges they face in a society geared towards Western standards of emotional and general intelligence. Additionally, I am interested in topics related to general cultural differences in familial and romantic relationships, as well as emotional expression and interpretation.

Seth Hare

My name is Seth Hare, and I am an undergraduate research assistant from Southern Adventist University. I am finishing my bachelors degree in psychology next may, and applying to Medical School in the fall. I spent the 2023-2024 school year working at SAU as a resident assistant in Talge Hall. I loved working with my fellow RA’s and deans to tackle the challenges we faced last year. I am very optimistic about my position as a CLIR lab research assistant because I thrive working in groups and interacting with others as well as effectively helping when and where I am needed. My research interests are broad as I take a keen interest in a wide variety of things. That being said, my time in Research Design and Stats last year included research on specific morning routines as they relate to academic success in undergraduate students at SAU.