Three staff members of RYTE Institute looking at document.

Doctoral Research Assistants

Milira Cox

Education
MS, LMFT
Research Interests

Milira Cox is a licensed marriage and family therapist with experience providing services to children and families in outpatient and residential settings. Currently, Milira is a doctoral research fellow and Ph.D. student in Family Sicence and Human Development at Montclair State University. As a researcher, Milira is interested in program evaluation, understanding how purpose and identity are developed among transition-age foster youth, family processes within the context of child welfare, how first-generation college students renegotiate familial and peer relationships, attachment relationships, and fostering resilience.

Office
University Hall
Email
coxm5@montclair.edu

Rachael Doubledee

Rachael Doubledee Headshot
Education
MS, University of Missouri, Columbia; BA, University of Missouri, Columbia
Research Interests
Chosen Kinship; Boundary Ambiguity; Group Cognition; HPA Axis Functioning; Developmental Systems Science; Methods

Rachael Doubledee holds an MS in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Missouri. Rachael is pursuing a PhD in Family Studies at Montclair State University, and is working as a doctoral fellow in  Research on Youth Thriving and Evaluation (RYTE Institute) on the Inspiring Purpose outcome evaluation. She is interested in cognition, social connectedness, systems science, positive youth development, and the contributions of group membership to perception and meaning-making. Her current research has two connected foci: individual and group cognition (i.e., cognitive complexity, peer contagion, social networks) using a developmental systems science lens, and the use of online rhetoric in the construction of self and perceived group membership in digital social locations (e.g., reddit, blogs, Facebook, twitter). She is currently working in RYTE Institute on the Inspiring Purpose project.

Office
University Hall, Room 4110
Email
doubledeer1@montclair.edu

Krystal Woolston

Krystal Woolston Headshot
Education
MA, Montclair State University, BA, Montclair State University
Research Interests
Civic Engagement; Youth Development; Community Development; Program Evaluation and Planning

Krystal is currently the Assistant Director of the Center for Community Engagement at Montclair State University. She directs the Bonner Leader program, Emerging Leaders Learning Community (ELLC), a learning community for first year students focused on civic engagement and student leadership, and helps to coordinate the EECO AmeriCorps program. She attended Montclair State University as an undergraduate and graduate student receiving a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in higher education and student affairs. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Family Studies focusing her research on civic engagement and higher education. She is passionate about getting individuals involved in volunteering, civic engagement, and student leadership. She currently works on the Inspiring Purpose project in RYTE Institute.

Office
Sprague Library 139A
Phone
973-655-4268
Email
woolstonk@montclair.edu