Moving Forward Together: Women’s History Month 2025 – Dr. Kellie Carlyle
In keeping with the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month, this series highlights the importance and impact of mentoring partnerships between department faculty and their mentees.
Kellie Carlyle, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed. specializes in health communication and health behavior theory; her research focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of health communication campaigns, media portrayals of health issues, and the use of technology in health promotion. Carlyle’s recent research includes funding by the U.S. Department of Justice for development of a multilevel intervention: Disrupting the Trauma-to-Prison Pipeline for Girls in Virginia. This project aimed to provide programming to girls in the system, as well as training to Department of Juvenile Justice staff on trauma-informed response.
Kellie’s leadership is characterized by her genuine inclusivity and collaborative spirit. Thanks to her, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside VCU faculty from diverse disciplines across both campuses. Our values really align when it comes to collaboration, as this was an expectation in my previous role in healthcare. Her ability to build these bridges has opened doors to new opportunities and significantly impacted my research journey.
-Stacie Lefeavers, M.P.H., R.N.
Carlyle is also a dedicated teacher and mentor whose students have gone on to continue their careers in postdoctoral, tenure-track, and government research positions. One of her current mentees, Stacie Lefeavers, M.P.H., R.N., is nearing completion of her Ph.D. and has worked with Carlyle since she was in the M.P.H. program. “I contacted her because I was interested in her work on violence prevention and was hoping to explore the world of research as a possible future career,” recalls Lefeavers. “Our working relationship progressed quickly when I met the founder of a local anti-trafficking nonprofit, and we all met to brainstorm potential research collaborations…. Those early experiences were crucial in my decision to pursue a Ph.D.”
Lefeavers emphasizes dedication to community as an important part of her work with Carlyle. Prioritizing learning at the community level ensures that their research has real-world impact. “Our research within the Resilience Lab is applied and community-engaged, often involving multiple community partners,” she says. “This approach has led to new partnerships, particularly during dissemination, giving studies greater impact and reach.”
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from her is how to trust my own judgment when making decisions, while also remaining open to feedback. She encourages me to be a critical, independent thinker in research while making sure that her guidance and support are always there.
-Julie Russo, M.P.H.
Julie Russo, M.P.H. is another mentee who has continued her partnership with Carlyle through both her M.P.H. and Ph.D. studies. She values the personal growth and independence as a researcher that she has achieved under Carlyle’s guidance. “Dr. Carlyle has taught me how to be confident in making independent decisions as a researcher and how to justify them,” says Russo. “As time in the program went on, I took on more leadership roles on our projects.”
Along with Lefeavers, Russo is also nearing the end of her Ph.D. studies. As she looks towards her future, she describes Carlyle’s support as multi-faceted; focusing both on academic success and applied public health efforts. “I really value her feedback, encouragement, and belief in my growth as a researcher,” says Russo. “She’s great at mentoring on how to navigate both academic and real-world applications of public health, especially right now, as I’m on the job market.”
Categories Faculty News, Student News