Hi! My name is Keiana Mayfield. I'm currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Family Involvement Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. I completed my doctorate in the Human Development and Family Studies department at The Pennsylvania State University in 2022, under the mentorship of Dr. Susan McHale. 

Prior to beginning my doctoral training, I received my Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Sociology and Studies of Women & Gender from the University of Virginia in 2011. When I finished my undergraduate studies, I took over the education department for Planned Parenthood's Charlottesville Health Center. In this role, I provided important programming for teens, families, and local institutions. Although the work was incredibly rewarding, my time in this role compelled me to pursue a master's degree in clinical social work. I completed my Master of Social Work degree as an L&S Scholar and Advance Opportunity Fellow from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2015.

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Outside of academia, I'm an avid reader, typically finishing 100-150 books each year. I connect with my community by running several book clubs for kids and adults through my local, woman-owned indie bookshop, East City Bookshop. In addition to being a complete bookworm, I'm also a wife, mother and walker of a very large dog named Otto.

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Thank you for being here, and I hope we can find a way to connect.