kathrynPhoto Dr. Kathryn Holland (she/her)

I received my B.A. in Applied Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and my Ph.D. in Psychology & Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan. I am now an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Women’s & Gender Studies Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As an interdisciplinary scholar, my research is shaped by concepts and theories in multiple areas of psychology (social psychology, law psychology, community psychology) and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. I am passionate about using multiple research methods—qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method. I am also committed to using research to facilitate social justice and change. For example, by making my research findings accessible to administrators, policymakers, and practitioners and using research to develop more theoretically and empirically informed policies, resources, and programs.

Graduate Students

AllisonPhoto Allison Cipriano

Allison Cipriano received her B.A. in Psychology from Ithaca College and her M.A. in Social Psychology from Ball State University. Allison is now a doctoral student in the Social and Cognitive Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies. Allison researches sexual violence, sexual identity, and sexual health from a social psychological and feminist lens, with a focus on the experiences of women attracted to more than one gender.

 alexphoto Alex Diede 

Alex Diede graduated with honors from Black Hills State University with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in sociology in 2019. Her research interests revolve around gender and sexuality, with particular emphasis on romantic and sexual relationships, sexual assault, domestic violence, gender roles, and attachment theory. As an undergraduate student, she worked in two labs; one studying the effects of an art intervention program on inpatient adolescents, and the other looking at the impact of gratitude and social support on physical pain. During her undergraduate career, she was able to work her way up to lead researcher and gain experience presenting at a national conference. In addition to her research, Alex has also been able to gain practical experience working as the Internship Coordinator for her department. After graduation, she worked for a specialized domestic violence court with responsibilities including performing risk assessments on misdemeanor domestic violence offenders using scales such as ODARA and IRAD as well as coordinating monthly meetings with court officials, victim's advocates, and treatment providers. In the future, she hopes to become a professor of psychology at a small liberal arts university and continue her research career. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, listening to comedy, reading, and spending time with her spouse and two dogs. 

BeccaPhoto Rebecca L. Howard Valdivia 

Becca earned her B.A. in Psychology and English from the University of Oregon (2016), and her M.A. in Psychological Research from California State University at Long Beach (2020). She is interested in how interpersonal, institutional, and societal factors affect sexual assault survivors’ well-being, with a particular focus on social reactions to disclosures and betrayal (i.e., institutional betrayal, cultural betrayal trauma). She is now a doctoral student in the Social and Cognitive Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and pursuing a concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies

OliviaPhoto Olivia Checkalski

Olivia Checkalski (she/her/hers) is a graduate student in the Social Psychology program. In May 2020 she graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. in Psychology and American Culture & Difference, and a minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. In May 2022, she received her M.A. here at UNL, and her thesis explored women's motivations for sending nudes. Her current research interests include questions about self-objectification and self-sexualization, especially as a means of adding nuance to cultural narratives about sexual empowerment. When she isn’t on zoom calls Olivia is likely crafting, watching reality TV that doesn’t align with her values, or ranting about compulsory heterosexuality. 

Undergraduate Students

marianaphoto Mariana Bowring 

Mariana Bowring (she/her) is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan majoring in Psychology and Women/Gender Studies. Her research interests are in feminist psychology with an intersectional lens focusing on women/gender studies, sexuality, anti-racism and gender equity. After graduating, she hopes to continue on to graduate school in Psychology and Women’s Studies and pursue a career in research.

Kiera Photo Kiera Irvin

Kiera Irvin is an undergraduate honors student at the University of Nebraska, majoring in Psychology with a minor in English. Her research interests include domestic violence and sexual assault, the effect of adverse childhood experiences on health and development- specifically abuse and neglect, and the impact of poverty following children into adulthood. After graduation, Kiera plans to attend graduate school in order to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology, aiming to work with children and adolescents with a focus on trauma and impoverishment.

Bella Photo Bella Rodriguez 

Bella Rodriguez is an undergraduate student at the University of Nebraska Lincoln majoring in Psychology and minoring in Spanish and Criminology. She is from Kansas City, Missouri and hopes to live there after her academic career. Her long-term goals involve pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and specializing in criminal psych to advocate for mental health in environments where it is most needed. Some other fun facts about Bella is that she is able to speak English, Spanish, and Italian, she holds a position on UNL’s Panhellenic Council as Vice President of Recruitment, and she loves meeting new people. 

randii photo Randii Reikofski

Randii is an undergraduate student at the University of Nebraska, majoring in psychology with a minor in women's and gender studies. Randii is very passionate about educating both herself and others about all things pertaining to sexual health. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she would like to get her post-graduate degree and work as a therapist. In her free time, Randii loves to watch movies, spend time with friends, and go to concerts/music festivals!

Alexandra Geith

Quinn Sweeny

Post-Bac Students

Maddie photo Maddie Luebe

Maddie Luebe is a current medical student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and a 2022 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During her undergraduate education in Lincoln, Maddie was a member of this lab for 3 years which drove her passion for women's health and victim advocacy. In Omaha, Maddie serves the community through her volunteerism with the Women's Center for Advancement, providing resources and support for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and her leadership in UNMC's Reproductive Health Advocates organization, fighting for trans-rights and abortion access. Maddie plans to continue her advocacy in her career as an OBGYN or an Emergency Medicine physician.

Alumni Lab Members (graduate) 

SarahPhoto Sarah Eagan (assisted with graduate student reporting study)

Sarah Eagan graduated from UNL with a PhD in Social and Cognitive Psychology in 2022 and began an Assistant Professor position at Worcester State University.

zach photo Zach Huit (assisted with student support seeking study)

Zach Huit graduated from UNL with a PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2023.

Alumni Lab Members (undergraduate)

  • Nancy Tran (2023)
  • Ben Danielson (2023)
  • Catherine Loftus (2023)
  • Addison Kinnaman (2023)
  • Anders Bagby (2023)
  • Sarah Danielson (2022-2023)
  • Antoinette Tucker (2022-2023)
  • Sam Wilburn (2022-2023)
  • Kiya Hudson (2022-2023)
  • Kelsie Bartek (2022-2023)
  • Morgan Berg (2020-2022)
  • Maddie Luebe (2020-2022)
  • Chasitey Whitmore (2020-2021)
  • Emily Waitr (2019-2020)
  • Cody Meyer (2019-2020)
  • Elissa Wiener (2019-2020)
  • Anna Stoltenberg (2019-2020)
  • Sage Volk (2017-2020)
  • Maddyson Meuret (2018-2019)
  • Mari Crisler (2018-2019)
  • Allegra Blomengerg (2018-2019)
  • Laura Nelms (2018-2019)
  • Sydney Bork (2017-2019)
  • Kaylee Robinson (2017-2019)
  • Rin Nguyen (2017-2019)
  • Lizeth Fraire (2017-2019)
  • Carolyn Herrera (2017-2018)
  • Jasmine Brown (2017-2018)
  • Melanie Feith (2017-2018)