KU News Release

Graduation stories: KU senior studies how culture affects parenting

Christopher Reine

LAWRENCE — Christopher James Reine has always wanted to help people.

As a young man, Reine dreamed of becoming a physician and chose to attend the University of Kansas because of its prestigious medical school. Now, he’s graduating from KU with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. His goal still is to provide assistance to those in need — he’ll just being doing it in a different way.

Reine switched his major from pre-medicine to psychology after taking a class with Stephen Ilardi, associate professor of clinical psychology.

“By the time I completed Abnormal Psychology my junior year, I was captivated by the mind and how it relates to psychological disorders,” said Reine. “The excitement my professor displayed as he lectured about mental disorders intrigued me. Not only did I change my major to psychology, this professor motivated me to pursue a doctoral degree in the field of clinical psychology.”

During his time at KU, Reine also worked with Yo Jackson, associate professor of clinical child psychology. During the summer of 2008, he developed two yearlong projects. The first examined whether culture is an important factor in predicting parenting behaviors in African-Americans. The second involved looking at the perceived social support between children with and children without a history of maltreatment.

“Chris is one of the most mature, bright, motivated young men I have met,” said Jackson. “He has tremendous leadership skills and is a joy to supervise. He is very eager to learn, is open to new ideas, has great problem-solving skills and is very self-directed. He has great initiative. I have no doubt that he will be successful in whatever he chooses to do.”

Earlier this month, Reine found out he was the recipient of the Donald K. Alderson Award, which each year goes to a graduating senior who has demonstrated loyalty to and interest in the university and who has been active in events and services that benefit other students. Reine also is a McNair scholar and a member of the Board of Class Officers, Black Student Union and Black Men of Today.

“As president of BSU, I helped create a monthly program with the Inspirational Gospel Voices titled Sing and Serve,” said Reine. “This program brought both organizations to the Lawrence Community Drop In Center to help serve food and sing to the people experiencing homelessness. During our first event, I was honored that many people attended.”

Next for Reine is completing a master’s degree in clinical psychology at Washburn University in Topeka.

“After earning the doctoral degree, I plan on becoming an educator and researcher continuing my investigations on how culture influences the mental health of African-American children and how it affects their academic success,” he said. “Further down the road, I plan on adding a third role, working with a government agency or community institution whose purpose is making mental health care accessible to all people in need.”

Reine is the son of Camille Reine of Kansas City, Mo., and Earl Reine of Norfolk, Va., and a graduate of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy.

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