Institution: Northern Arizona University
Graduate Program: Ph.D., Combined Counseling/School Psychology
Education: B.A., Psychology, University of North Dakota; M.A., Counseling Psychology, University of North Dakota
Mentor: Dr. Y. Evie Garcia, Northern Arizona University; Dr. Chesleigh Keene, Northern Arizona University
Described by her adviser as having “a remarkable history of perseverance despite an unusual number of educational barriers,” Melissa Wheeler is on her way to becoming an interdisciplinary researcher and professor with a Ph.D. in combined counseling and school psychology at Northern Arizona University.
Wheeler was propelled toward her doctorate by a professor once telling her that “statistically, you are not supposed to be here,” so she pursued not only a master’s degree in counseling psychology but is now a fourth-year doctoral candidate.
Wheeler began her post-secondary experience at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, where she earned an associate of arts degree and began to realize her potential in academia. Wheeler says a summer internship at the University of Washington with the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) after her college graduation in 2012 “exposed me to the possibility of a career in academic research examining culturally relevant, sustainable prevention in Native American communities."
Wheeler credits the “eye-opening” NIDA internship with reinforcing the passion for research that she was already developing and inspiring her to apply for other training and research opportunities.
“Though the odds were stacked against me . . . I became the first in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and next year a doctorate,” she tells Diverse.
Her dissertation project examines a culturally appropriate substance use treatment among Native American populations. Wheeler will also assist in conducting a NIDA grant-funded study that focuses on culturally centered health care titled “Factors and Training Approaches that Enhance the Integration of American Indian Culture into Tele Behavioral Substance Use/Substance Abuse Disorders Treatment.” Wheeler notes that her dissertation will expand from this study and examine cultural treatment practices, identify effective treatment approaches, and identify factors that support culturally sensitive substance use treatment and mental health care.
