Biography

Research: 

Dr. Gentzis' research interests center on better understanding factors that contribute to psychological and academic well-being and motivation for positive behavior change among diverse student populations. Specifically, she studies how psychosocial perceptions (i.e., students’ thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs about themselves) can be leveraged to improve the outcomes of diverse and underserved student populations (e.g., minoritized, gifted). Her work aims to identify factors that promote the development of positive psychosocial perceptions (e.g., academic self-concept, hope, school belonging), behaviors, and achievement, with a specific focus on academic motivation. The ultimate goal of her work is to help more students live up to their full academic potential and achieve more successful professional and personal outcomes.

 

Recent Publications:

Dixson, D. D., Gentzis, E.-A., Jansen, L., & Whitley, K. (2025). Hope into achievement: A longitudinal examination of hope, psychosocial perceptions, and academic achievement. Behavioral Sciences. 15(12), 1657. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15121657

Dixson, D. D., Jansen, L., & Gentzis, E.-A. (2025). When talent works hard: Psychosocial perceptions predict academic engagement in gifted students. Journal for the Education of the Gifted. 1 – 17. https://doi.org/10.1177/01623532251371736

Marie, T., Watson, K., Gentzis, E.-A., & Dixson, D. D. (2024). Protect the children, body and soul. Education Sciences. 14(3), 282. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030282

Gentzis, E.-A., Spear, S.E., & Ramazon, N. (2024). Supporting Trans and Gender Non-Conforming students throughout the special education evaluation process. Communique. 52(5), 23–26. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379126804_Special_Education_Evaluation_for_Trans_and_Gender_Nonconforming_Students

Gentzis, E.-A., & Dixson, D. D. (2024). How school climate relates to other psychosocial perceptions and academic achievement across the school year. School Psychology Review, 53(5), 441–458. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2023.2261835

 

Leadership:

Dr. Ersie-Anastasia Gentzis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at NMSU. She received her PhD in School Psychology from Michigan State University. She completed her APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship in Pediatric Psychology at the University of Michigan Medicine, working in integrated behavioral health and hospital specialty clinics. Dr. Gentzis’ clinical interests focus on utilizing an eclectic approach, including positive psychology, to support positive self-efficacy and motivation for behavior change among children, parents, and clients with chronic illness.

Academic background:

Ph.D. in School Psychology, Michigan State University

M.A. in School Psychology, Michigan State University

B.A. in Psychology with minors in Quantitative Social Science and Creative Work, University of Houston