EDUCATION

Ph.D.          Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC

M.A.           Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC

B.A.            Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Prairie View A & M University, Department of Psychology, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training, June 2021 to present

University of Houston-Downtown, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Interim Associate Dean, 2020 to 2021

University of Houston-Downtown, Department of Social Sciences, Associate Professor, 2015 to 2021

University of Houston-Downtown, Department of Social Sciences, Assistant Chair, 2014 to 2020

University of Houston-Downtown, Department of Social Sciences, Assistant Professor, 2009 to 2015

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill/Central Regional Hospital, Department of Psychology/Child and Adolescent Services, Chapel Hill, Butner, NC, Clinical Assistant Professor, 2007 to 2009

Houston Independent School District, Psychological Services, Postdoctoral Resident, 2006 to 2007

PUBLICATIONS

Books

DeFreitas, S. C.(2020).  African American psychology: A positive psychology perspective.  Springer Publishing Company.

Edited Volumes

Chism, J., DeFreitas, S. C., Robertson, V. & Ryden, D. (Eds.) (2021).  Critical Race Studies Across Disciplines: Resisting Racism through Scholactivism.  Lexington Books.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

DeFreitas, S. C., Crone, T., De Leon, M., & Ajayi, A. (2018). Perceived and personal mental health stigma in Latino and African American college students.   Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00049

Trevino, N. & DeFreitas, S. C. (2014). The relationship between intrinsic motivation and academic achievement for first generation Latino college students.  Social Psychology of Education, 17(2), 293-606. doi: 10.1007/s11218-013-9245-3.

DeFreitas, S. C. & Rinn, A. (2013). Academic achievement of first generation college students: The role of academic self-concept.  Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. 13(1), 57-67.

DeFreitas, S. C. (2012).  Differences between African American and European American first-year college students in the relationship between self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and academic achievement.  Social Psychology of Education, 15(1), 109-123. doi:10.1007/s11218-011-9172-0

DeFreitas, S. C. & Bravo, A. (2012).  The influence of involvement with faculty and mentoring on the self-efficacy and academic achievement of African American and Latino college students.  Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12(4), 1-11.

Stewart, C., Moore, T., Crone, T. S. & DeFreitas, S. C. & Rhatigan, D. (2012).  Who gets blamed for intimate partner violence? The relative contributions of perpetrator sex category, victim confrontation, and observer attitudes.  Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 27(18), 3739 – 3754.doi:10.1177/0886260512447571

Kurtz-Costes, B., DeFreitas, S. C., Kinlaw, R. C. & Halle, T. (2011).  Gender and racial preference in Black and White preschool girls. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 29, 270-287. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-835X.2010.02018.x.

Hill, N. E. & Craft, S. A. (2003).  Parent-school involvement, school behavior, and children’s school performance: Mediated relations and the role of ethnicity.  Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 74-83.  DOI: 10.1037/0022-0663.95.1.74

Book Chapters

DeFreitas, S. C.(2022). Mental health stigma in the Latinx population:  Treatment implications and future directions.  In R. Castilla-Puentes & T. Falcone (Eds.), Mental health for Hispanic communities: A guide for practitioners (pp. 17-31).Springer International Publishing.

DeFreitas, S. C. & Cross, T. (2022). Facilitating undergraduate preparation for thriving in a diverse society: Cultural humility as a teaching tool. In W. T. Hoston, L. B. Foster & F. G. Cambrice (Eds.), The Crucial Conversation: Teaching Race and Racism in the Postsecondary Context. (pp. 25-44).Springer Publishing Company.

Book Reviews

DeFreitas, S. C. (2016). Make me!  Understanding and engaging student resistance in school Book Review.  Teachers College Record. http://www.tcrecord.org ID Number: 21673.

Other Publications

DeFreitas, S. C., Dillard, N., Frost, L., & Wyman, P. (2021). TAA DEI Survey Analysis Report. Textbook and Academic Authors Association.

DeFreitas, S. C. (2021). What is critical race theory and why it should matter to academic authors. The Academic Author, 3, 5-6. Textbook and Academic Authors Association. https://taaa.memberclicks.net/assets/newsletters/The%20Academic%20Author%2C%20Summer%202021.pdf

DeFreitas, S. C. (2012). Outcome Expectations Measure. PsycTESTS, doi:10.1037/t41032-000

AWARDS and HONORS

2023                Mellon Center for Faculty Excellence Faculty Support Award

2021-2022 Texas Academic Leadership Academy Fellow

2021              Textbook and Academic Authors Association Most Promising Textbook Award

2021           American Psychological Association Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology

Participant Leader

2019-2020  College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Fellow, UHD

2019-2020  Faculty Development Grant, UHD

2019-2020  Center for Teaching and Learning Teaching, UHD

2017-2018   Penn State Academic Leadership Academy                                       

2017           Funded Faculty Developmental Leave, UHD

2016           Organizational Research Committee Grant, UHD

2016          Center for Teaching and Learning Online Teaching Certification Grant, UHD

2015-2016  Center for Teaching and Learning Teaching Circle, UHD

2015            Faculty Development Grant, UHD

2014           Faculty Development Grant, UHD

2014            Service Learning Mini-Grant, UHD

2013            Organizational Research Committee Grant, UHD

2013           Faculty Development Grant, UHD

2012           Faculty Development Grant, UHD

2010           Organizational Research Committee Grant, UHD

INVITED TALKS

Anderson, K., DeFreitas, S., & King, D. (October 28, 2021). Inclusive Excellence, the Way Forward: Creating diverse organizations [Panel Discussion]. President’s Lecture Series on Justice, Equity and Inclusion. UHD. Houston, TX.

DeFreitas, S. C. ( July 2021). Presidential Symposium. International Positive Psychology Association World Congress. Online.

Harris, F., DeFreitas, S. C. & Robertson V. (April 27, 2021). Holding Space: A Conversation on Collective Trauma amid Viral Racist Violence [Video]. UHD Center for Critical Race Studies.

DeFreitas, S. C. (January 2021).  Cultural competency in assessment with students of color.  Spring ISD Staff Development Workshop. Spring, Texas.

DeFreitas, S. C. (December 2020).  Understanding mental health stigma and cultural mistrust of medical professionals among African Americans.  Online presentation for Grand Rounds for Baylor College of Medicine.  Houston, TX.

DeFreitas, S. C. (April 2019).  Working with marginalized and multicultural students: Assessment issues.  Spring ISD Staff Development Workshop. Spring, Texas.

DeFreitas, S. C. (October 2012). What should you do if your university does not support grant writing? Oral presentation for Sisters of the Academy at the SOTA Intensive Grantsmanship Workshop.  Baltimore, MD.

DeFreitas, S. C. (October 2010).  Psychologist on call:  Working with children in a mental health inpatient clinic.  Carnegie Vanguard High School Speaker Series.  Houston ISD: Houston, TX.

CONFERENCE ACTIVITY

Oral presentations

DeFreitas, S. C. (June 2022). Self-care for academic authors: Why you need it and how to do it [Virtual oral presentation]. Textbook and Academic Authoring Conference. Online.

DeFreitas, S. C. ( June 2021).  How to include diversity and culture in your textbook and other academic writing. Virtual Textbook and Academic Authoring Conference. Online.

DeFreitas, S. C., Guillory, C., Wilson, A, & Harris, F. (March 2020).  After the mountaintop: Radical self-care practices as resistance for Black women in the academy.  National Council for Black Studies. Atlanta, GA.

DeFreitas, S. C. & Montgomery, J. K. (July 2019). Inundating therapy with culture:  How to improve outcomes for African American clients.  Oral presentation for the Association of Black Psychologists International Convention. Orlando, FL.

DeFreitas, S. C. & Turner, E. (July 2017). The role of perceived racism and psychological stress on  academic self-efficacy in African American college students. Oral presentation for the Association of Black Psychologists International Convention.  Houston, TX.

DeFreitas, S. C., Griffin, J. & De Leon, M. (November 2013). Mental health stigma in Hispanic and African American college students. Oral presentation for Texas Psychological Association Annual Meeting.  Houston, TX.

DeFreitas, S. C. (January 2013).  Lessons Learned in Mentoring at an Hispanic Serving Institution.  Oral presentation at the National Multicultural Conference and Summit.  Houston, TX.

DeFreitas, S. C. (November 2010).  Increasing psychological help seeking in college students.  Oral presentation for Texas Psychological Association Annual Meeting.  Dallas, TX.

CAMPUS TALKS (selected)

DeFreitas, S. C., Jackson, C. & Robertson, V. (September 24, 2020). Center for Critical Race Studies Faculty Spotlight Interview-Dr. Stacie DeFreitas on her book African American Psychology:  A positive psychology perspective.

DeFreitas, S. C. (February 2020).  African American Psychology: Examinations for a Positive Perspective.  CHSS Black History Month Presentation. Houston, Texas.

DeFreitas, S. C. (November 2009).  Getting into graduate school.  Oral presentation given for Psi Chi at the University of Houston-Downtown.   Houston, TX.

DeFreitas, S. C. & Bachman, C. (October 2009).  NSF Grant Workshop overview.  Oral presentation given to Social Sciences faculty at the University of Houston-Downtown. Houston, TX.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Department of Psychology, Prairie View A & M University-graduate level (all In person)

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

Dissertation

Ethics

Multicultural Psychology

Professional Issues in Psychology

Psychological Assessment I

Psychological Assessment II

Psychopathology

Thesis

Department of Social Sciences, University of Houston-Downtown

Abnormal Psychology, In person, Hybrid & Online

African American Psychology, Online & Hybrid

Counseling and Psychotherapy, In person & Online

Educational Psychology, Online

First-Year Seminar, In person

Introduction to Clinical Psychology, In person & Online

Introduction to Psychology, In person, Hybrid, & Online

Psychological Assessment, Online

Research Methods, In person & Online

Special Projects in Psychology/Social Sciences (Independent Research), In person & Online

Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Abnormal Psychology, In person

Independent Research, In person

MEDIA COVERAGE

Cheung, C. (March, 16, 2021). Women’s History Month: 8 Houston Leaders making a difference today. Blog. Understanding Houston. https://www.understandinghouston.org/blog/womens-history-month-8-houston-leaders-making-a-difference-today

Community of Scholars. (December 28, 2020). 1,000 inspiring Black scientists in America. Cell Mentor. http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/1000-inspiring-black-scientists-in-america

Lloyd, M. E. (July 28, 2020).  ASK037 EDI-01 How can I better approach diversity and inclusion in the classroom? Psych Sessions:  Conversations about teaching n’ stuff. https://psychsessionspodcast.libsyn.com/ask037-edi_01-how-can-i-better-approach-diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-classroom

Mentor, J. (July 5, 2020).  Q&A: Racism, Disparities, and the Health of the Nation.  MedpageToday.com. https://www.medpagetoday.com/nursing/nursing/87403

Mentor. J. (June 29, 2020). The health of a nation.  Minority Nurse.com.  https://minoritynurse.com/the-health-of-a-nation/

Rice, L. (May 7, 2020).  This professor didn’t see enough positive reflections of African Americans in academic literature – So she wrote a book.  Texas Standard. https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/this-professor-didnt-see-enough-positive-reflections-of-african-americans-in-academic-literature-so-she-wrote-a-book/?_ga=2.118908233.1322594142.1594128275-1755260141.1593812185

Taylor, S. E. (April 20, 2020).  UHD Professor’s New Book Spotlights African American Psychology: New Text Celebrates Community’s Strengths, Dispels Myths. UHD NEWS.  https://news.uhd.edu/new-book-new-perspective-on-african-american-community/

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Peer reviewed Manuscript reviewer

2021                International Journal of STEM Education

2021/2020       Journal of American College Health

2021/2016       Psychological Services

2020  Community Mental Health Journal

2020  Current Psychology

2019  Journal of Counseling Psychology

2019  SAGE Open

2019/2018  Sociological Quarterly

2017  Sociological Spectrum

2016  Africa Education Review

2016  Learning and Individual Differences

2013  Educational Psychology: An International Journal of Experimental Educational

Psychology

Book manuscript reviewer                                                                                 

2018  Psychology of Africa and the African Diaspora – Braswell

2017  My Psychology First Edition – Pomerantz                                

2016  Contemporary Feminist Research from Theory to Practice – Leavy and Harris       

2016  Research Methods:  A Practical Guide for Understanding and Applying Research – Rosengreen et al.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Texas Mental Health Equity Mentorship Network Career Panel –November 2020

Houston VA Multicultural/Diversity Subcommittee’s Career Panel participant – November 2017

Board Member of Wellsprings Village, Inc.- 2014 to 2016,  Assisted with decision making and fundraising for Wellsprings, Inc., an organization that provides transitional housing for homeless women.

RELATED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

2018-2019          Association of College and University Educators Course in Effective Teaching

Practices Certificate       

2016                    Online Learning Consortium Certificate in Online Teaching     

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

2020 to present     Textbook and Academic Authors Association-Committee for Diversity, Equity,

and Inclusion

2020 to present     American Psychological Association

2011 to 2018 &

2020 to present     Sisters of the Academy

2012 to 2017        Association of Psychological Science

2008 to 2011        National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology