Wenxi Yang

Calvin J. Li Postdoctoral Fellow

yangw@umd.edu

 

Bio

Wenxi Yang joins the Program in Asian American Studies at the University of Maryland as the Calvin J. Li Postdoctoral Fellow. She recently earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Missouri. She teaches Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation, a course that reflects her deep commitment to exploring the experiences of second-generation children of immigrants.

Wenxi’s interdisciplinary research focuses on the mental health and well-being of Asian and Asian American (AAA) youth and families, particularly within educational and community contexts. Grounded in ecological systems theory and prevention science, her work bridges research and practice through culturally responsive and socially just approaches. She employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine how youth mental health is shaped by interactions across multiple systems—including families, educators, schools, and communities. Her additional research interests include the training and professional experiences of AAA school psychology practitioners and graduate students, with attention to the impacts of culture, racial identity, and structural barriers.

Clinically, Wenxi has delivered evidence-based mental health therapy, assessment and consultation in a range of settings—from schools and outpatient clinics to family-based care—working at the individual, group, and systems levels. Her experiences as a school-based mental health provider within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework have informed her understanding of the complex intersections between mental health, educational systems, and immigrant family life. She plans to pursue licensure as a psychologist.

List of research topics:

  • Culturally Responsive Research: Supporting Asian Youth, Families, and Practitioners

  • Interconnected Well-Being: An Ecological Approach to School Mental Health

  • Quantitative Methods and Tool Validation

Education

PhD, School Psychology, University of Missouri (2025)

MS, Psychology, Arizona State University (2019)

BS, International Business Administration, Missouri State University (2017)

Courses

  • AAST394: Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation