Help for the Helpers

Even in high school, Ashley Glover, a Radford University sophomore from Midlothian, Virginia, had a strong sense of direction. For this future music therapist, Radford was a natural fit, but an invitation to apply for the Research Rookies program was a powerful part of the equation.

“I didn’t know what research I could do as an undergrad,” she said. She had already explored music therapy research and found publications by seasoned professionals based on interventions and quantitative research.

“But they paired me with Dr. Jang,” Glover said, speaking of mentor, Sekyung Jang, an assistant professor of music therapy. “She really showed me there's a lot more I could do, starting with literature reviews and qualitative research.”

The Highlander Research Rookies program offers selected high-achieving incoming students a four-semester journey that fast tracks them in their fields with early introductions to professional standards and research methods.

Jang helped her settle on a research topic both professionally relevant and personally meaningful: she noted that mental health issues have been stigmatized in the Black community and that proportionally, the music therapy world is populated largely by white women.

This got Glover wondering about the experience of Black music therapists and what the future of such professionals might be.

She found that Black music therapists and mental health professionals deal with a variety of racially based social issues. Additionally, attitudes and expectations towards clinicians based on racial differences and similarities can leave a practitioner wondering just how they are perceived by their clients.

But Glover says she hears how these problems can be managed and overcome.

“I saw how, in certain environments, the clinicians were able to really thrive and were supported by other professionals who are not people of color.

“There's a lot of things that are beyond their control obviously, but they want to see more change, more safe spaces for their voice to be heard and just more proactive ways people can receive their services.”

Glover’s research will continue throughout the semester, but she’s already been able to present her work at the university Student Engagement Forum and address the Board of Visitors.

Additionally, Glover and Jang were selected as one of only 41 research teams nationally to participate in the Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) program offered by the Council on Undergraduate Research. As part of STR, she advocated for the value of undergraduate research in Washington, D.C., before the legislative staff of our senate and congressional representatives.

Glover deeply appreciates the support she’s received from Radford and Jang. In addition to professional skills and development, she’s also learned something about herself and how to take the lead with self-assurance.

“In addition to the problem-solving, it’s also been nice to see how she’s built confidence from day one,” Jang said.

“She’s one of the best students I know.”