Lasheka Allen is a Salisbury, North Carolina native, Durham, North Carolina business owner, wife, mother, minister, and, as of late, a COVID-19 survivor, who is set to receive a doctorate in clinical adolescent psychology from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) this summer.
“After having an unexpected surgery, and then, with my family and I having COVID-19, I completed my internship and dissertation,” she said. “We are doing just fine. Now, it’s time for me to graduate!”
After this Saturday, Allen becomes the College of Juvenile Justice & Psychology’s first graduate of the new clinical adolescent psychology doctoral program’s curriculum, which was relaunched in 2014 to meet revised state standards.
“When the college first contacted me about joining the new program, it appealed to me right away. I’ve always been interested in becoming a licensed clinical psychologist,” said Allen, who received two bachelor’s degrees in psychology and family and consumer sciences, and a master’s degree in psychology from North Carolina Central University, and a second master’s degree in psychology from PVAMU.
Allen uprooted her husband, son, and daughter and moved from North Carolina to Texas, away from their family and friends, and away from everything they knew.
“I was content where I was,” she said. “But three people inspired me by moving away from everything they knew to pursue purpose. My mother moved from North Carolina to New Jersey, by faith, for ministry; my best friend, TaVares, moved to New York City to pursue his dreams; and my mentor, Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson, moved to Massachusetts to become a provost before his current position. They each strengthened my faith and prompted me to step out to obtain what God had for me. I am so glad that I did because now, with this new degree, I can do more to help the communities I seek to serve.”
Allen owns Core Essentials, LLC, a behavioral health company based in North Carolina that covers outpatient therapy for mental health disorders and substance abuse issues. She plans to expand the business and is considering opening up locations in other states, including Texas.
“Our goal is to serve ethnic minorities and increase preventative service utilization,” she said. “Unfortunately, there is a shortage of ethnic minority psychologists and therapeutic professionals in general. I want to do my part to encourage future students because we are needed in this field.”
Allen says the support she received from classmates, professors, friends, and family was extremely influential.
“Getting a Ph.D. in any field is challenging and requires great effort and commitment,” she said. “My experience at PVAMU has been instrumental in building my faith, resiliency, and determination. While matriculating at PVAMU, I met professionals, who are now mentors, and classmates, who will be lifelong connections. These people will be key to me meeting my professional and personal goals.”
Allen and her family moved to Indiana last summer so she could complete a required yearlong internship. She was selected to remain at the facility for a post-doctoral fellowship in the fall.
“In finishing this degree, I’m looking forward to spending more time with my loved ones, also, just having more free time in general,” she chuckled.
She expects to become a licensed eligible clinical psychologist by the end of the year, after completing the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
“I want to thank everyone involved in the program at PVAMU, and those that took time to revamp it. If it were not for them, I would not be here. I’m also grateful for the challenges and obstacles I experienced during the journey; they helped make me who I am. God brought me; faith kept me; friends and family supported me, so I am ‘PhinisheD!’” she said.
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By Marchita Shilo