Chansophal Mak
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
PhD Candidate & Teaching Assistant
Education
| Degree | Field of Study | Institution | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science | Agronomy Science | Royal University of Agriculture | 2008 |
| Bachelor of Education | English Literature | Royal University of Phnom Penh | 2008 |
| Master of Arts | Educational Guidance and Counseling | De La Salle University | 2014 |
| PhD | Human Development and Family Science with Special Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy | University of Georgia | 2023 |
Research
Sophal is interested in integrating systemic perspective and ecological framework into the educational setting to promote mental health and well-being among learners and to create the environment for learners to learn to the fullest. Moreover, Sophal is also interested in intergenerational family relationships and how it affects decision making, relationship development, and mental health of the subsequent generations. Sophal aims to get expertise in Traumatic Stress treatment and Resilience building at all system levels (i.e., individual, family, community) among forcibly displaced refugee families.
Teaching
Sophal taught General English to students from various backgrounds (i.e., elementary school, high school, college, and working students) from 2008 to 2018. Sophal was also a co-lecturer teaching group counselling and supportive seminar class in a Master program at the Department of Psychology, Royal University of Phnom Penh, from 2016 to 2018.
Awards
| Award Name | Awarded By | Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Agronomy | Royal Government of Cambodia | 2004-2008 |
| Master of Arts in Educational Guidance and Counselling | Open Society Foundation | 2011-2014 |
| Summer Research Award of $5000 | Cambodian and Laotian Strength and Resilience Project | 2019 |
| Virginia Wilbanks Kilgore Scholarship of $1100 | College of Family and Consumer Science | 2020 |
| Virginia Wilbanks Kilgore Scholarship of $800 | College of Family and Consumer Science | 2021 |
| Degree Acceleration Awards of $4800 | Graduate School of University of Georgia | 2021 |
| Price-Coker Excellence in Research Awards of $2100 | College of Family and Consumer Science | 2022 |
Outreach
Sophal offered group consultations to freshmen students at Royal University of Phnom Penh, who are from the rural areas of Cambodia with the purpose to support those students in their adjustment to college and life in the city far away from their families. Sophal's group consultation's topics were "Life seeds" and "Beautiful Me Fighting Stress Monster".
Advisory Committee
Major Professor: Dr. Elizabeth Wieling
Committee Member: Dr. J. Maria Bermudez
Committee Member: Dr. Desiree M. Seponski
External Committee Member: Dr. Chhuon Vichet (College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota)
Areas of Expertise
Sophal is passionated about exploring intergenerational family relationships, and identifying how these relationships affect the individuals and their relationship with others throughout their developmental stages. Sophal is also interested in interrupting patterns of emotions or behaviors that are not helpful for the development of the individuals and their relationships.
Prior Professional Positions
| Organization / Department | Title | Years of Service |
|---|---|---|
| Child Help Line Cambodia | External Relief Counselling Supervisor | 2016-2018 |
| CamEd Business School | Counselling Psychologist | 2016-2018 |
| Department of Psychology, Royal University of Phnom Penh | Co-lecturer | 2016-2018 |
| Consultation and Advising Services, Royal University of Phnom Penh | Student Consultant | 2015-2017 |
| Cambodian Children Fund | External Consultant | 2015-2016 |
| Khmer Counselling Psychology Services | Counselling Psychologist | 2015-2018 |
| Department of Psychology, Royal University of Phnom Penh | Translator in Psychology Dictionary Project | 2014-2018 |
| Pannasastra University of Cambodian | English Instructor | 2014-2018 |
| THLA Translation Services | Freelance Translator | 2010-2018 |
| Open Society Foundation Summer School Program, Chiang Mai, Thailand | Program Assistant | Jul-Aug, 2015 |
| Ragamuffin Cambodia/International | Translator & Co-therapist | 2014-2018 |
Current Classes
SPRING 20212
1. HDFS 9010: Internship in hdfs
2. HDFS 9000: Doctoral Research
3. HDFS 9500: Doctoral Graduate Student Seminar
4. HDFS 9300: Doctoral Dissertation
SUMMER 2022
1. HDFS 9010: Internship in hdfs
2. HDFS 9000: Doctoral Research
3. HDFS 9500: Doctoral Graduate Student Seminar
4. HDFS 9300: Doctoral Dissertation
Current Research
Sophal is working on several research:
1. "Intergenrational Family Relations among Cambodian Immigrant Families along Coastline in Alabama"
2. "Spirituality and Grief Resolution among Cambodian Immigrants"
3. "A Collective Narrative of Families Disrupted by War and a Cry for Connection Among First Generation Cambodian Immigrants"
4. "Hidden Wish for Education and Its Barriers: A Collective Narrative among Third Generation Cambodian Immigrants"
Job Description
Sophal's scholarship is in traumatic stress treatments & resilience building at all system levels (i.e., individual, family, community), and interupting intergenerational transmission of traumatic stress among trauma-affected and displaced refugees. Sophal is also working on a systematic review of evidence-based family interventions for traumatic stress among newly resettled refugee families across the globe.
Publications
Mak, C., Lewis, D. C., & Seponski, D. M. (2021). Intergenerational transmission of traumatic stress and among Cambodian immigrant families along coastal Alabama: Family narratives. Journal of Health Equity,5(1). p.1-8. https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2020.0142
Mak, C.& Ouano, J. (2017). Stress appraisals and coping strategies of Cambodian dual-degree students: A Moderating role of achievement emotions. Philippines Journal of Counseling Psychology,19(1). p.39-50.