Emil Beckford is a doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program in the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology. He received a BS in psychology from Yale in May 2020. Emil's research has explored the impact community connectedness has for racially and sexually minoritized individuals. Their interests broadly include understanding how marginalized identity status impacts mental health and how protective factors can mitigate adverse mental health outcomes. Outside of his studies, Emil enjoys singing and writing songs, spending time with friends, and exploring in nature.