Department of Human & Community Development, University of Illinois

                                                                                                           
                    

Graduate Students

Elissa Thomann Mitchell

  • BS in Psychology from the University of Evansville, 2003
  • MS/MSW (Dual Degree program in Human and Community Development & Social Work) from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2006
  • Currently an HCD PhD student

Advisor: Dr. Marcela Raffaelli

Professional/Research Interests: I am interested in family resiliency and positive youth development. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how youth and their families are successful despite facing challenges and obstacles.

Honors and Awards: Becca Nimmer Marcus Award from the School of Social Work (2006); Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program Fellowship (2008); Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent

Assistantships held as a Graduate Student at Illinois: Teaching assistant for Dr. Nancy McElwain (HDFS 106/HDFS 290); research assistant for Dr. Nancy McElwain, serving as the Project Coordinator for the Children’s Social Development Project from 2004-2008. Teaching and research assistant for Dr. Jennifer Hardesty (HDFS 425).

What I like best about Illinois is that it’s a large, well-known and respected University, but we’re a small department that allows for individual attention and mentoring. Champaign-Urbana is also a nice place to live and is in close proximity to St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Chicago.

As an HCD graduate student I enjoy interacting with my peers and the faculty on a personal level.

I chose Illinois because of the multidisciplinary approach and the emphasis on community and outreach. I enjoy the supportive, collaborative environment that is available to graduate students and faculty here.

I am professionally involved the National Council on Family Relations and the Society for Research on Adolescence. I have also worked and/or volunteered with local non-profits.

I have co-authored: Eheart, B. K., Hopping, D., Power, M. B., Mitchell, E. T., Racine, D. (in press). Generations of Hope Communities. Children and Youth Services Review.

Hometown: Vincennes, IN

Hobbies: traveling, spending time with my husband and dog, watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball

Fun Fact: I studied abroad for a semester as an undergrad and then moved to London, England after graduation, before coming back for graduate school.