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As part of Black History month, the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development connected with some of their recent black alumni and followed their journeys from graduate school to where they are currently. 

We learned more about their graduate journey, reasons for choosing OISE and most importantly their experiences as a black student and professional.

Dr. Melissa R. Hunte
Doctor of Philosophy in Developmental Psychology & Education (DPE PhD, 2024)

What was your graduate journey like?
As a child, I became acutely aware of unfair assessment practices, though, at the time, I couldn’t imagine how profoundly it would influence my academic trajectory. Unlike some students who follow a clearly defined career path, my journey was more exploratory. The interdisciplinary nature of my doctoral program allowed me to develop specialized skills across multiple fields, making me a versatile scholar and opening doors to diverse opportunities in research, evaluation, and AI applications in assessment. Through navigating and refining my academic identity, I discovered my passion for teaching and mentoring students and commitment to fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments.

What was it like being a "black student' in your program and career?
The first two years of my graduate program were the most challenging—I struggled to find a sense of belonging within my department and field. I was often one of the few, if not the only, Black scholars in academic spaces, particularly at conferences. That awareness made me question the structural and systemic barriers that contribute to the lack of representation. Why were there so few of us in these rooms? What explicit and implicit factors were keeping certain groups out?

As my confidence grew, I began to see my uniqueness as an asset. My authenticity became a source of strength, and I realized that my presence in these spaces mattered. My lived experiences, perspective, and story were not just mine to carry—they were tools for advocacy, opening doors, and inspiring the next generation of scholars. I learned to leverage my voice to challenge exclusionary practices, contribute to more equitable academic environments, and mentor students who, like me, may have once felt like they didn’t belong.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a current student?
As with life, my graduate journey had its highs and lows. I was fortunate to be accepted into one of the most prestigious universities in Canada, awarded a Connaught scholarship, and supported by an incredible supervisor and doctoral committee. Despite these achievements, I struggled to find my academic identity.

Who am I as a scholar? Who do I want to become? What do I want to be known for? Is this program even the right fit for me? These were questions I wrestled with, and I know many students experience the same uncertainty. Unfortunately, these internal conflicts aren’t talked about enough, yet they are a natural—and often necessary—part of growth. Figuring out who you are in academia is not just about finding the right answers but learning to sit with the questions long enough to carve out your own path.

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: You belong here. The impostor phenomenon can be one of the hardest battles to fight, but don’t let it silence you or make you shrink yourself. Your perspective, your questions, and your lived experiences matter. The discomfort of uncertainty isn’t a sign that you don’t belong—it’s often a sign that you’re growing. Keep going.

David Kamayagl Dibben
Master of Education in Counselling Psychology (Counselling Psychotherapy field - CP MEd, 2021)
Current position/place of work: Psychotherapist at Pine River Institute

What was your graduate journey like?
I chose the MEd program at OISE as I was driven primarily by a desire to practice psychotherapy. The program prepared me well for this by providing a good balance of theory and practical application leading up to and during my practicum placement. I always wanted to work within publicly funded, community focused mental health organizations and was able to find continued employment in these areas within a couple months of completing the program. Through my work in this field, I continue to be interested in understanding the effective and affordable delivery of mental health services for vulnerable, underserved populations and understanding barriers to accessing care. 

What was it like being a "black student' in your program and in your career?
The experience of being a Black student in my program and career has not been much different from my experience of being a Black man in the world. There are times when I have felt misunderstood or that others dance around with uncertainty as they grapple with my Blackness in predominantly white spaces. This can at times be frustrating, disheartening and ultimately underwhelming. Yet, through developing greater self-awareness, honouring my frustrations and attributing the behaviour of others to incompetence instead of malice, I have been able to navigate these experiences with relative ease. This does not mean it has necessarily been easy or that I simply brush it all aside, but more so, that I have learned what battles are worth fighting.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a current student?
Be kind and patient with yourself!

Dr. Shonna Francis John 
Doctor of Philosophy in School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP), 2005
Current position/place of work: Child Clinical & School Psychologist, Co-Founder, and Co-Director of Halton Psychologists (private practice)

What was your graduate journey like? 
As a graduate student, I worked under the supervision of Dr. Rosemary Tannock at the Hospital for Sick Children. My Masters research focused on the narrative abilities of elementary-aged children with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While my doctoral research investigated the discriminant validity of children diagnosed with various anxiety disorders and typically developing children using working memory measures that varied in cognitive demand and modality.

I selected the SCCP program at the University of Toronto for my graduate studies because it was the only local program that integrated child clinical psychology and school psychology.  Additionally, I had access to an amazing research facility at the Hospital for Sick Children, with ample scholarship, clinical, and research opportunities. In graduate school my ultimate goal was to work as a scientist-scholar-practitioner within a hospital setting. After graduation, I worked as a clinical psychologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Trillium Health Partners, while being an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor for the SCCP program. I currently co-direct a group private practice in Milton, Ontario, named Halton Psychologists.

What was it like being a "black student' in your program and in your career ?
As the only black student in my cohort at graduate school, it was challenging to find fellow black students and mentors to share in the experience. Since I was the first in my family to obtain a doctoral degree in psychology, I had to navigate many aspects of the program through trial and error. I was grateful for the opportunity to work with more experienced graduate students, as well as supportive research and clinical supervisors who guided me through the program and shared valuable opportunities with me (e.g., scholarships, research projects, publications, job opportunities). I was able to overcome the hardships I experienced as a graduate student by developing and maintaining positive and strong relationships with fellow students, supervisors/advisors, and faculty members. Through practicing my faith, and actively engaging with my classmates, seeking mentorship opportunities, fostering respectful and humorous interactions, and maintaining healthy work-life balance, I successfully navigated graduate studies.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a current student?
I advise current psychology graduate students to not “specialize” too early in their clinical training. As a student, expose yourself to a variety of opportunities to work with different client populations and treatment modalities during practicums, internship, and job experiences. Additionally, mentorship from a trusted psychologist is extremely beneficial for professional growth and easing the transition from graduate student to an early career practicing psychologist.