Maxine Covello (Ph.D. ’29) aims to address disparities in education and healthcare systems by using interventions tailored to families’ unique needs. Her volunteer work at the Athens nonprofit Love.Craft guides her research interests, while simultaneously deepening her understanding of gaps in support for adults with disabilities.
- Hometown: San Ramon, California
- Degree objective and graduation date: Ph.D. in school psychology, 2029
- Degree(s) and graduation date: B.S. in clinical psychology, UC San Diego, 2020
Why did you choose to attend UGA for your advanced degree objective?
When searching for graduate programs, my top priority was finding an advisor who aligned with my research interests in culturally responsive practices for underrepresented autistic individuals and their families. When I found professor Ashley Harrison in the UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education’s school psychology program, I was inspired by her extensive work evaluating disparities experienced by autistic individuals across systems. Additionally, her cross-cultural and international work is exciting and innovative! This sparked my interest to apply to UGA, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to work closely with and learn from her.
My secondary priority was proximity to international grocery stores and restaurants! I enjoy trying new cuisines and recipes, so I was excited to learn of UGA’s proximity to diverse communities surrounding the Atlanta area. It’s well worth the drive!
Why are you passionate about your research, and what sparked your interest in pursuing school psychology with a focus on autism?
Prior to my graduate studies, I worked closely with underrepresented and low-resourced families with autistic children (in community and hospital settings) that spoke to me of the ways the system has failed to support children’s needs. I was struck by the resilience of these parents in the face of so many systemic barriers. Therefore, I was inspired to pursue a graduate program that could provide me training in both education and healthcare systems to better support families as a clinician and scientist.
What do you hope to accomplish with your research?
I hope to identify disparities and develop interventions that will increase access to autism services for underrepresented families. I intend to do so by using a culturally responsive framework to develop responsive systems for every family’s needs.
Are you involved in any academic or service-oriented organizations? If yes, how do they enhance your academic and/or research endeavors?
In my free time, I volunteer at Love.Craft here in Athens! Love.Craft is a local nonprofit organization that supports adults with disabilities by creating space for them to engage in productive and meaningful activities, including working on pottery sold locally at markets. Initially, my research focused more on gaps in access to care for younger populations, but volunteering here illuminated the immense gaps adults experience. It showed me how the community can truly come together to support adults with disabilities, and this work will continue to guide my future research goals.
What are your future plans after you graduate with your doctoral degree?
I hope to work at an academic medical center where I can provide clinical care in the community while furthering my research aims. Additionally, I hope to continue to advocate for underrepresented communities at a system level, impacting policy to ensure better access to quality and culturally responsive services.