Janelle Billingsley

Janelle Billingsley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Her research focuses on normative and adaptive processes fostering healthy development among African American adolescents facing adversity, emphasizing qualitative and mixed-method approaches. She examines how intergenerational familial bonds and sociocultural contexts influence social-emotional well-being. Her work has led to the creation of programs like Project DREAM, an afterschool initiative prioritizing youth-adult relationships.

Dr. Billingsley holds a PhD from the University of Virginia (2022). She is affiliated with the Human Services Psychology graduate program and leads the Youth RISE Lab at UMBC. Her research interests include community psychology, racial socialization, and the role of mentorship in Black youth development. She currently accepts undergraduate students for Spring 2025 and mentors graduate students in her lab.

Her recent publications explore topics such as Black adolescents’ disclosure patterns, familial mentorship dynamics, and systemic challenges faced by Black youth in educational settings. Her studies consistently highlight resilience mechanisms within African American communities and the importance of culturally responsive interventions.