Tangela Montgomery (she/her)
Assistant Professor
COUNSELING, SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Specialty/Research Focus
My research focuses on the psychosocial wellness of communities minoritized by race, sexual orientation, and gender identity (i.e., queer people of color or QPOC), & increasing retention rates of students of color in graduate psychology programs.
Professional Summary:
My experiences as a Black bisexual ciswoman raised in the Southern US inform how I conceptualize my research, teaching, and service. I use both quantitative and qualitative methodologies within a critical-constructive theoretical framework to explore the intersection of race, gender, and sexual orientation. Specifically, I study the mental health of queer people of color (QPOC) to understand better the resiliency and oppression faced by these communities. Additionally, my work also aims to increase retention rates of students of color in graduate psychology programs, addressing issues related to intersectionality, mental health, and academic success. Finally, I am a proud alumna of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program.
Education and Training:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Massachusetts Boston, Counseling Psychology (2018)
- Masters of Science (MS), University of Wisconsin Madison, Community Counseling (2012)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA), St. John's University, Psychology & Women's Studies (2010)
Awards and Honors:
- Early Career Psychologist Leadership and Advocacy Award; APA Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (Div. 44),; 2019-08-08;
- Invited Attendee & Guest of President Barack Obama; The White House LGBT Pride Month Reception; 2016-06-10;
Recent Publications:
Book:
- Lamb, S., Roberts, T., & Plocha, A. (2016). Girls of color, sexuality, and sex education. NY: Palgrave MacMillan.
Journal Article:
- Brodt, M. & Roberts, T. (2023). The ableist and white supremacist origins of American policing and connections to involuntary hospitalization. Women & Therapy, 46(4), 323-345.
- Roberts, T. (2023). African Americans and activism: Exploring the impact on psychological well-being. Journal for Social Action in Counseling & Psychology, 15(1), 14-31.
- Drinane, J. M., Roberts, T., Winderman, K., Freeman, V. F., & *Wang, Y. W. (2022). The myth of the safe space: Sexual orientation disparities in therapist effectiveness. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 69(3), 268.
- Roberts, T., Roberts, L., Carpenter, Z., Haueisen, S., Jones, A., Schutte, K., & Smith, T. (2022). Existing in the void: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of rural LGBTQ+ students. Journal of LGBT Youth, 1-29.
Recent Presentations:
Invited Lectures:
- OutTalk series: Access to care for LGBTQ+ communities of color. (Panel, OutCare Health, February 2023).;
Conferences:
- Brodt, M., & Roberts, T. (August 2024). Exploring the Feasibility of Restorative Justice to Resolve Grievances in Doctoral Programs. Poster, American Psychological Association 2024, Seattle, WA.;
- Roberts, T., Brodt, M., & Lamb, S. (April 2024). My Angry Vagina vs. “Give me everything you got for this wet-ass pussy”: A Discourse Among W.A.P. and The Vagina Monologues. Presentation at the 2024 Association of Black Sexologists and Clinicians Conference (ABSC). Montego Bay, Jamaica.;
- Roberts, T. (August 2021). All my sistas' and me: Reflecting on Black bisexuality (mine and yours) within me-search. In M. C. Brodt & K. Wilkins-Yel (Chairs), Nothing about us without us: The contributions of intersectional me-search. Prepared by Tullis-Willis, L., Symposium conducted at the American Psychological Association 2021 Convention. Virtual.;
- Roberts, T., Smith, T., & Moore, S. (February 2020). Fighting the good fight: Self-care strategies for Black LGBTQI+ student activists. Workshop presented at the 2020 Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference. Kalamazoo, MI.;
Recent Grants:
Grant:
- Creating mechanisms for addressing negative experiences for racial and ethnic minority students: Moving beyond grievances to culture change.; Foundation and Research Organization; APA Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training in Psychology II (CEMRRAT2) Task Force Implementation Grants Fund for Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training in Psychology; Awarded; (01/01/2020-01/01/2021)
Recent Activities:
Professional Service:
- Awards and Entertainment Coordinator & APA Div. 44 Representative National Multicultural Conference and Summit
05/14/2020-02/14/2024 - Co-Chair Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (CoRED) Society for the Psychological Study of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (APA Div. 44)
01/01/2018-01/01/2021