作为一名学生 北科罗拉多大学's Rehabilitation Counseling M.A. 程序, 艾莉泰特 has conducted extensive research on the stigma surrounding mental health 残疾的人.  

She explained stigma impacts classrooms, workplaces and health care settings, among 其他环境. 

Tate grew up and still lives in rural Missouri, where there are few 资源 for 残疾人士. To learn how she could help improve access to 资源 in communities like hers, she sought an accredited graduate 程序. UNC的trauma-informed care approach appealed to her, as did the ability to study remotely. 以前,她 earned a Bachelor of 艺术 degree in Psychology from William Woods University. 

In addition to her role as a graduate student, Tate works as a violence prevention specialist at a domestic violence shelter. Within her community, she provides abuse and sexual assault prevention education and spreads awareness about the facility’s 资源. Her studies have provided her with both a theoretical grounding in evidence-based research along with practical skills for being an empathetic clinician. 

“The UNC 程序 taught me what trauma-informed care looks like. 我已经做到了 apply what I've learned not only in the classroom, but also outside,” 泰特说. 

For example, she has raised awareness about 残疾人士 being at 性侵犯的高风险. Her UNC professors have helped her learn how to approach 这些对话. 

"Societal barriers, prejudices and discrimination exist when it comes to individuals 有残疾的. 我们正在用灯光照射它们 invisible barriers so we can move toward creating equitable access for everybody."

——艾莉·塔特

Because nearly everyone will experience disability, whether it's chronic illness, 抑郁、焦虑等., Tate believes her research on disability-related stigma 与普通人相关吗. Its relevance to colleges and universities is indicated by growing concerns over the last decade regarding teen and young adult mental health. According to the American College 健康 Association’s 2021 National College 健康 Assessment, 29% of college students have been diagnosed with anxiety and 24% with 抑郁症. 

Tate, who plans to graduate in December 2024, works as a graduate assistant for Erin Moser副教授他是该委员会的主席。 Department of Rehabilitation and Human Services inUNC's College of Natural and 健康 Sciences. She and Moser worked together to prepare a presentation about their research on accommodating higher ed students with psychiatric 残疾的人 at the National Symposium on Rehabilitation Counseling in June 2023 at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. 

“Dr. Moser allowed me the freedom to be creative, and she helped me shape my thoughts 变成有凝聚力的东西. She also elevated how I presented myself as a student and 一个专业的. Throughout my time in the 程序, she has encouraged my development and challenged me to face educational obstacles head-on,” 泰特说. 

Tate and Moser's research on stigma has resulted in joint presentations, co-authored articles, and a chapter in the forthcoming book 惩教及残疾 by Springfield College faculty members Michael Accordino and Lindsey Fullmer. 他们的 chapter focused on the difficulty of finding jobs and other limitations facing people 有犯罪记录.  

Moser said Tate’s excitement and thirst for knowledge are some of the best qualities 一个研究生可以拥有. It's those qualities, she said, that lead to the desire and commitment to make positive changes in the world. 

“She'll really dive in and work diligently. 对于像耻辱这样的话题，唯一的方法 we’re going to make changes in a world that has a lot of stigmas toward people with 残疾就是要教育他们. For example, if somebody has schizophrenia, that doesn't mean that they are violent or that they’re going to hurt somebody. 这是 the type of stigma we try to combat,” said Moser. 

After working in the field for a few years, Tate plans to pursue a Ph.D.  

 ——布伦达·吉伦著