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Meet the
RAYA Team

Behind our research is a dedicated team of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers passionate about youth development. We bring deep curiosity and a shared commitment to building brighter futures for the next generation.

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Chanler Hilley, PhD

Director of the RAYA Collab

Dr. Chanler Hilley is an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University and Director of the Research in Adolescent and Young Adult Development (RAYA) Collab. Dr. Hilley is a developmental and prevention science researcher who focuses on supporting successful transitions from adolescence to young adulthood for youth who experience adversity, as well as the risk and protective factors that influence behavioral health across this developmental period. He is specifically interested in supporting youth who experience disconnection from school and work, poverty, and exposure to violence. He earned a PhD in Family and Human Development with a specialization in Quantitative Methods from Arizona State University, and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in health equity and prevention science at the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center at Arizona State University.

More information here.

Research Assistants

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Alanna is a senior Public Health student at Kennesaw State University and Senior Scholar in the RAYA Collab. She is also working on her honors capstone exploring social media vaping prevention messaging. Alanna plans to pursue a Master of Public Health degree in health behavior.

Alanna James

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Kait is a senior Psychology student at Kennesaw State University and a Junior Scholar in the RAYA Collab. She is currently working on research on executive functioning and future orientation. Kait plans to pursue graduate training in clinical neuropsychology.

Kait North

Young woman with long brown hair, wearing a black and white striped sleeveless top and a necklace with a small pendant, smiling at the camera.

Natilee is a senior Psychology student at Kennesaw State University. She previously participated in First Year and Sophomore Scholars in the RAYA Collab, and is currently working on her senior capstone. Natilee plans to obtain her master's degree and become a school psychologist.

Natilee Talvan

RAYA Alumni

    • Bailey Tocups

    • Elon Haynes

    Learn more about capstone projects.

  • Amari Cody, Avery Kirby, Maya Maqousi, Charlie Barna, Giselle Vazquez, Will Fulton, Kayla Little

    • Briana Rivera, MS Criminial Justice

    • Paige Giddens, MS Criminial Justice