Nelson O. O. Zounlomè, Ph.D., L.P.
MBA Candidiate
About Me
Nelson O. O. Zounlomè, Ph.D., L.P., is the Founder, CEO, and a mental health & academic thrive consultant through Liberate The Block, a firm dedicated to implementing culturally relevant mental wellness and academic solutions and consulting services for underserved university students, staff, and faculty. Dr. Z. is also a first-generation college graduate, child of Beninese immigrants, creator of the online asynchronous course Developing A Graduate School Thrive Mindset, and author of Letters to My Sisters & Brothers: Practical Advice to Successfully Navigate Academia as a Student of Color and the forthcoming, ‘Lift As You Climb’: The Book of Black Academic Empowerment.
He is also a former McNair Scholar, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine - Ford Foundation Fellow, Herman B. Wells Graduate Fellow, Licensed Psychologist, and previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, Research Associate at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Inaugural Program Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering. Dr. Z.'s research program focuses on examining the impact of intersectional oppression on historically excluded groups and creating culturally relevant interventions to enhance their well-being. Within this framework, he studies academic persistence and mental wellness to promote holistic healing among BIPOC individuals in higher education. His work has been supported by over 50 grants, fellowships, and awards at the campus, regional, and national levels, with over $410,000 in funds awarded.
He is a current MLT PD Fellow, GSM Consortium Fellow, and MBA Candidate at the Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management. He also earned Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Sociology with a Political Science minor, a Master's degree in Learning Science-Educational Psychology Track, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with an Inquiry Methodology minor from Indiana University. In addition to work, Dr. Z. loves reading, discovering new music/art, outdoor activities, spending time with friends and family, and living a holistically full life.
Education
Master of Business Administration
MBA Candidate
Graduate Study in Management Conformtium Fellow
Management Leaders of Tomorrow Fellow
Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management | Cornell University - 2026
Doctor of Philosophy - Counseling Psychology, APA-Accredited | Inquiry Methodology Minor
Indiana University - 2021
Master of Education - Learning Sciences-Educational Psychology Track
Indiana University - 2018
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology with Honors & Sociology | Political Science Minor
Indiana University - 2015
Research
Examining the impact of intersectional oppression on historically excluded groups & creating culturally relevant interventions to enhance their well-being
- Academic Persistence
- Mental Wellness
- Promoting holistic healing among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
Selected Refereed Journal Articles (18 Total)
Zounlome, N. O. O., & Wong, Y. J., (in press). An experimental evaluation of a Black Encouragement & Empowerment Intervention for university students. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.
Zounlome, N.O.O., Baker, B. A., Wilkins-Yel, K. G, Diaz, C., Dorvè-Lewis, G., & Elie, K., (in press). ‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated’: BIPOC student’s advice on embodying resilience and resistance at PWIs. Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion.
Wilkins-Yel, K.G., Delaney, T., Gamio Cuervo, Á., Zounlome, N.O.O., & Sparks, P.(2022). Examining how graduate advisors mitigate or exacerbate the structural barriers Women of Color navigate in STEM doctoral programs. Journal of Diversity
in Higher Education.Wong, Y. J., McDermott, R., Zounlome, N.O. O., Klann E. M., & Peterson, Z. (2020). Self-persuasion: An experimental evaluation of a sexual aggression preventive intervention for U.S. college men. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
Wong, Y. J., Granderson, R. M., Zounlome, N.O.O., McCullough, K.M., Hyman, J.E., Schwabe, S.B. (2020). The assessment of subjective masculine Norms in the United States. Psychology of Men & Masculinities. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/men0000254
Zounlome, N.O. O., Wong, Y. J., David, J., Klann, E. M., & Stephens, N. (2019). ‘No one comes to save the Black girls…’: Black university women’s understanding of sexual violence. The Counseling Psychologist, 47, 873-908. doi:10.1177/0011000019893654
Zounlome, N.O.O., Wong, Y. J., Klann, E. M., & David, J. L., (2019). ‘I’m seen as a sexual predator from saying hello’: Black mens’ perception of sexual violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. doi:10.1177/0886260519877942
Zounlome, N. O. O., & Wong, Y. J. (2019). Addressing male-targeted university sexual aggression: An experimental evaluation of a social norms approach. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 20, 528-540. doi:10.1037/men0000181
Wong, Y. J., Zounlome, N.O.O., Goodrich Mintz, N., & Murphy, E. (2019). You can do it! An experimental evaluation of an encouragement intervention for female students. Journal of Positive Psychology. doi:10.1080/17439760.2019.1651887
Wilkins-Yel, K. G., Hyman, J., & Zounlome, N.O.O. (2019). Linking intersectional invisibility and hypervisibility to experiences of microaggressions among graduate women of color in STEM. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 113, 51-61. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2018.10.018
Wong, Y. J., Gabana, N. T., Zounlome, N. O. O., Mitts, N. G., & Lucas, M. (2017). Cognitive correlates of gratitude among prison inmates. Personality and Individual Differences, 107, 208-211. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2016.11.043Refereed Book Chapters & Other Media Outputs
Zounlome, N. O. O., Wong, Y. J., (in press). Utilizing radical healing and educational interventions to promote Black Students’ holistic wellbeing. In J. L. Chin, Y. E. Garcia, & A. Blume (Ed.), The Psychology of Inequity, Volume 3: Strategies and Solutions. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers.
Zounlome, N. O. O. (2025).‘Lift As You Climb’: The Book of Black Academic Empowerment. LTB Books.
Zounlome, N. O. O., (2021). Student advocates for change: A three-part interview series. Society of Counseling Psychology Connect. Retrieved from: https://www.div17.org/scp-connect/
Zounlome, N. O. O., (2021). Do culturally informed interventions improve Black university students’ academic and mental health outcomes? Center for research on race and ethnicity in society. https://crres.indiana.edu/research/research-briefs/2021-02-zounlome.html
Zounlome, N. O. O. (2020). Letters to my Sisters & Brothers: Practical Advice to Successfully Navigate Academia as a Student of Color. LTB Books. https://www.letterstomysistersandbrothers.com/
Zounlome, N. O. O. (2020). Counseling psychology in action: Working to help students of color navigate higher education. Society of Counseling Psychology Connect. Retrieved from: https://www.div17.org/scp-connect/counseling-psychology-in-action-working-to-help-students-of-color-navigate-higher-education/
Cheng, J., Klann, E. M., Zounlome, N. O. O., & Chung, Y. B. (2017). Promoting affirmative career development and work environment for LGBT individuals. In J. G. Maree (Ed.), Psychology of career adaptability, employability and resilience. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.
Selected Refereed Presentations (42 Total)
Zounlome, N.O.O., Wong, Y.J., Li, Y., Matthias., H. (2021). Intersectionally informed: An encouragement intervention for Black university students. Symposium presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
Zounlome, N.O.O., Arevalo Avalos M. R., McNeil-Young, V.A., & Vernay, C.A. (2021). Racial stress, racial identity, & psychological outcomes among Black university students. Poster presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention, San Diego, CA.
Campbell K., Y., Blanchard, S., McNeil-Young, & Zounlome, N.O.O., (2021). Centering the collective: The power & importance of racial affirming spaces on college campuses. Symposium presented at the annual Maryland Student Affairs Conference, College Park, MD.
Allen, P. M., & Zounlome, N.O.O., (2021). How are they doing It? BIPOC and first-generation student academic & career success panel. Symposium presented at the annual Maryland Student Affairs Conference, College Park, MD.
Zounlome, N.O.O., Wong, Y.J., Li, Y., Matthias., H. (2020). An experimental evaluation of a Black encouragement intervention for university students. Symposium presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, DC.
Zounlome, N.O.O., Baker, B. A., & Wilkins-Yel, K. G (2020). Development and validation of the Racial Stress Impact Scale. Symposium presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, DC.
Wong, Y. J., McDermott, R., Zounlome, N.O. O., Klann E. M., & Peterson, Z. (2020). An experimental evaluation of a sexual aggression preventive intervention. Symposium presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, DC.
Zounlome, N. O.O., Baker, B. A., Stroud, Q. G., Abegunde, M.E.H., (2020). Utilizing Black joy to promote Black liberation & radical healing. Roundtable presented at the 2020 Counseling Psychology Conference in, New Orleans, LA. (Conference canceled due to COVID-19).
Baker, B. A., Wilkins-Yel, K. G., Zounlome, N. O. O., Myrtil, M. (2019, February). Racial battle fatigue: Implications for Black students in K-12 educational settings. Poster presented at the National Association of School Psychologists, Atlanta, GA.
Zounlome, N.O.O., Baker, B. A., Wilkins-Yel, K. G (2019, January). ‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated’: Advice on building resilience at a PWI. Poster presented at the National Multicultural Summit, Denver, CO.
Baker, B. A., Zounlome, N.O.O., Wilkins-Yel, K. G (2019, January). ‘I am…drained’: Conceptualizing racial battle fatigue at predominately White institutions. Poster presented at the National Multicultural Summit, Denver, CO.
Zounlome, N.O. O., Wilkins-Yel, K. G., Wang, L., Smith, S. L., Matthias, H., Anderson, C., Marimiriofa, C. (2018, August). Persisting through: Development and validation of the students of color resiliency scale. Poster presented at the 2018 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA.
Zounlome, N.O. O., Wong, Y. J., David, J., Klann, E. M., & Stephens, N. (2018, August). ‘I’m seen as a sexual predator from saying hello: Black males’ perception of sexual violence. Poster presented at the 2018 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA.
Heard, S. & Zounlome, N. O. O., Hewitt, A., Presseau, C., Anyiwo, N., Goodwill, J. R (2018, August). The state of Black boys and men---Using social justice to promote radical healing. Skill-building session presented at the 2018 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA.
Wilkins-Yel, K.G., Yel N., Zounlome, N. O. O., Lees, O., Barutcu-Yildirim, F., & Reed, A. (2018, August). The STEM Gender-Racial Microaggression Scale: Development, Validation, and Reliability. Poster presented at the 2018 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA.Zounlome, N. O. O., Klann, E. M., David, J., Stephens, N., & Wong, Y. J. (2017, August). ‘It’s a White woman's issue’: A qualitative analysis of African-American college student’s’ perceptions of sexual assault. Symposium presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
Shin, M. Zounlome, N. O. O., Hsu, K., Yancura, L., Wong, Y. J. (2016, August). Thanks, Mom: Gratitude Letter Writing for Asian and White Americans. Symposium presentation at the 2016 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Denver CO.
Teaching & Mentoring
Pedagogical Approach
Guided by an intersectional feminist approach, I believe students learn best by being challenged to engage in self-reflection and discussing conflicting perspectives and debates within a field. By thinking about their own views, learning about others’ perceptions, and having to talk them over, students can learn to think critically while also being able to apply course material to their own lives. Through this process, students can evaluate information based on their intersecting identities, come up with their own opinions, and in turn, better retain and apply course content in a practical manner. Furthermore, in each class I teach, I intentionally infuse social justice material, such as the psychology of oppression and intersectionality, to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand their own salient identities and that of others. This pedagogical approach allows students to effectively work with, as well as conduct multiculturally grounded and ethical research/clinical work among, diverse populations. Additionally, I work to create a culturally humble classroom environment for all students to augment learning outcomes, personal growth, and professional development.
Mentoring Style
I find mentoring to be immensely rewarding as it is in line with my life’s mission of guiding students to achieve academic success. I consistently work to create a collaborative and supportive atmosphere in which I meet with my mentees regularly to check in on individual progress, collaborative projects, and engage in professional development (e.g., teaching research skills and discussing journal articles to bolster content knowledge). Taking an intersectional feminist approach, I continually make an effort to learn about my mentees as individuals in the context of their intersecting identities, actively initiate conversations in which I openly reflect upon how my own identities relate to theirs and check in with them to see if their specific needs are being met. This also involves an explication of power differentials between us. Additionally, I use a tailored mentoring style by prioritizing mentees’ personal and professional goals and adjusting to fit their needs. My goal for my mentees/advisees is that they excel holistically, not just academically. In this, I help students to identify their own goals and support them in achieving them. I am extremely proud to have helped train so many students and that several of the undergraduate students I have mentored over the years have gone on to graduate school at the master's and doctoral levels. These students have also co-authored presentations at national conferences and published research articles with me.
Courses
Instructor | January 2022-May 2022
“EDP-665: Post-Masters Practicum in Counseling Psychology” -a doctoral-level clinical practicum course.
Counseling Psychology Program, University of KentuckyInstructor | January 2022-May 2022
“EDP-664: Pre-Masters Practicum in Counseling Psychology” -a master's-level clinical practicum course.
Counseling Psychology Program, University of KentuckyInstructor | August 2021-December 2021
“EDP-606: Professional Issues in Counseling Psychology” -a graduate-level professional identity and development course.
Counseling Psychology Program, University of KentuckyTeaching Assistant | January 2020-May 2020
“EDUC-G685: Seminar in Counseling Research Methodology” -a doctoral-level research methods course under Dr. Zoe Peterson.
Counseling Psychology Program, Indiana UniversityCo-Instructor | August 2018-November 2018
“EDUC-G523: Laboratory Counseling and Guidance” -a graduate-level clinical skills foundational course alongside Dr. Kerrie G. Wilkins-Yel.Counseling Psychology Program, Indiana University
Guest Lecturer | April 2018
“SPH H350: Topical Seminar on Sexual Exploitation” -an undergraduate course on sexual exploitation, harassment, and assault taught by Dr. Debra Herbenick.School of Public Health, Indiana University
Associate Instructor | August 2016-May 2017
Taught eight sections of "EDUC-X 150: Becoming the Best Student" -an undergraduate course for low-performing and students on academic probation.
Student Academic Center, Indiana University
GRE Instructor | May 2016-July 2017
Designed all materials and taught an 8-week summer session.
McNair's Scholars Program, Indiana University
Clinical Work
I am a Licensed Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I completed my predoctoral internship at the University of Maryland-College Park Counseling Center (July 2020-June 2021). My clinical work focuses on community and college/graduate populations, especially mental health and academic persistence among BIPOC students, themed BIPOC therapy groups, and career counseling. I take an intersectional feminist approach when working with clients while also integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and an interpersonal approach.
Selected Honors & Awards
My efforts have been supported by 50+ grants, fellowships, and awards at the campus, regional, and national levels with over $410,000 in funds awarded.
Most Creative Solution Prize
Johnson & Johnson Talent 2.0 Hackathon | Entrepreneurship at Cornell University | March 2024
Graduate Study in Management Consortium Fellowship
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management | Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management | August 2024
Management Leaders of Tomorrow MBA Professional Development Fellow
Management Leaders of Tomorrow | March 2024
Student of the Year Award
APA Division 51: Society for the Psychological Study of Men & Masculinities | September 2020
Outstanding TCP Student Paper Award
For the top article published in The Counseling Psychologist in 2015-2019 whose first author was a graduate student
Zounlome, N.O. O., Wong, Y. J., David, J., Klann, E. M., & Stephens, N. (2019). ‘No one comes to save the Black girls…’: Black university women’s understanding of sexual violence. The Counseling Psychologist, 47, 873-908. doi:10.1177/0011000019893654
The Counseling Psychologist & Sage Publishing | August 2020
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
This award recognizes excellence in scholarship and professional development among counseling psychology graduate students throughout the country
Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs (CCPTP) | June 2020
Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship
For a demonstrated commitment to improving the conditions of people from marginalized communities
American Psychological Foundation/Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology | March 2020
Herman B. Wells Graduate Fellowship
For demonstrating leadership abilities, academic excellence, character, social consciousness, and generosity of spirit.
University Graduate School | Indiana University | February 2020
Achasa Beechler Dissertation Proposal Fellowship
School of Education | Indiana University | February 2020
APA Division 45 Student Research Grant
Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race | December 2019
Graduate Student Research Award
Center for Research on Race and Ethnicity in Society | Indiana University | November 2019
Research Grant
Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology | Indiana University| November 2019
Graduate Student Research Scholarship
American Psychological Foundation/Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology | October 2019
Scholarship for Education Research
University of Michigan Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research | May 2019
Student Research Award
Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology | Indiana University | April 2019
Leading the Way Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award
For outstanding leadership and service to promote campus diversity and inclusion efforts | School of Education | Indiana University | February 2019
https://education.indiana.edu/news-events/_news/2019/jan-jun/2019-04-03-BGSA-gala.htmlPrevention & Promotion Award
Student Affiliates of APA Division 17 | Indiana University | June 2019
Student Abstract Competition: Diversity Award
Indiana Psychological Association | November 2018
Student Abstract Competition: 2nd Place
Indiana Psychological Association | November 2018
Outstanding Division Award- Div. 45 Study of Culture, Ethnicity & Race
American Psychological Association of Graduate Students| August 2018
Paul F. Munger Program Leadership & Service Award
Indiana University Counseling Psychology Program | April 2018
Research Grant
Indiana University Graduate and Professional Student Government | April 2018
SREB Scholar Fellowship
Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) State Doctoral Scholars Program | August 2017
Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine| Indiana University | April 2017
Ronald E. McNair Graduate Fellowship
Indiana University | March 2015
Excellence in Research Award
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences | Indiana University, April 2015
Thesis Award
Hutton Honors College | Indiana University | March 2014
Selected Leadership, Community, Equity, & Social Justice Efforts
APA Division on Culture Ethnicity, & Race Student Committee- Student Division Liaison August 2017-June 2020
2nd Annual Black Women’s Wellness & Empowerment Summit- Chair January 2018 –October 2016
Indiana University Graduate School- Diversity Recruitment & Retention Emissary May 2017-May 2018
Indiana University Black Joy Collective- Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member March 2017-May 2020
APA Division on Culture Ethnicity, & Race Student Committee- Student Research Chair August 2016-July 2017
Indiana University Counseling Psychology Student Organization- Co-President August 2016-May 2018
Indiana University Counseling Psychology Student Organization-Diversity Committee Chair August 2015–August 2016
APA Division on Men & Masculinity Student Special Interest Group- Presidential Student Advisory Board Member January 2017-August 2018
Coalition on Sexual Assault Prevention & Student Empowerment- Co-Founder & Committee Member April 2016-May 2017
The Inaugural Black Women’s Wellness & Empowerment Summit-Campus Partner Liaison March 2016–October 2016
BIPOC RESOURCES
Click the icons below to find resources for BIPOC communities
This workbook is specifically designed with culturally relevant advice and evidence-based exercises to help students of color thrive.
This page is dedicated to providing resources for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to help them grow and thrive holistically. This page is updated periodically.
This is a 2-week course designed to help students take ownership of their graduate education; thrive in school; save time and money; and launch a meaningful and lucrative career. Follow this link for a free course preview (4 videos total).
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