Our Team

SMHC Alumni

Kai Zhuang Shum, Ph.D.

Kai Zhuang Shum

Dr. Shum was a Postdoctoral Fellow with the School Mental Health Collaborative from August 2020 to January 2023, and Research Assistant Professor from February through July 2023. During her tenure with SMHC, Dr. Shum was Project Coordinator for Project SOAR and Project STARS, and Project Director for two projects: Project SMARTS and Project SAFETY.

Currently, Dr. Shum is an Assistant Professor in the School Psychology Program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and is also a Licensed Psychologist and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Her research and clinical interests include positive psychology, motivation, anxiety (including OCD), attention, time management, and wellbeing (happiness).

Contact Info: kshum1@utk.edu or website

Kristen Mahony-Atallah, Ph.D. 

Kristen Mahony-Atallah

Dr. Mahony-Atallah was a Postdoctoral Fellow and Project Director (Project SOAR) with the School Mental Health Collaborative (USF) from July 2022 to August 2024.  

Currently, Dr. Mahony-Atallah is an Assistant Professor, School Psychology Program  at North Carolina State University. Her research interests include developing academic interventions informed by positive psychology, specifically addressing interconnected challenges in academic skills, mental health, and educational disparities, with a focus on marginalized populations, including individuals with disabilities. 

Contact Info:  kemahony@ncsu.edu or website