Meet Commonwealth Staff: Lilit DerKevorkian, Student Life Intern
Sometimes, you just need someone to talk to. And that’s what students find in Lilit DerKevorkian, a member of Commonwealth’s Student Life team and a student earning her Doctor of Psychology from William James College. As our Student Life Intern, Ms. DerKevorkian supports our dedicated Student Life team in providing students, families, faculty, and staff with a host of resources, from academic counseling to life-skills coaching. She even opted to return to Commonwealth for a second clinical year because she loves our “kind and interesting” community. Well, the feeling is mutual. Keep reading to get to know this Lexington native a little better—including how to pronounce her name!
Getting to Know You
What is bringing you joy right now?
The leaves! Fall in Boston is so beautiful.
What is your favorite book (or a book you’ve re-read)?
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. It’s a memoir that looks at Gottlieb’s world both as a therapist through her client’s stories as well as someone receiving therapy herself.
What are your favorite comfort foods?
Cool Ranch Doritos!
What was your favorite class in high school?
History.
What is your motto?
Talk to yourself like you would talk to someone you love.
Working at Commonwealth
What do you love most about working at Commonwealth?
It’s so hard to pick just one thing! I’d have to say I love interacting with kind and interesting people.
What led you to psychology and to Commonwealth in particular?
I was a neuroscience major in college and thought I wanted to go to medical school. I found that psychology was the bridge between medicine and mental health. I’m in the midst of my second year at Commonwealth because I love supporting adolescents alongside brilliant and caring faculty and staff.
What do students (and families) need to know about you and what you do?
It’s important to know that I’m a trainee in clinical psychology, meaning I’m directly supervised by and work under the licenses of Dr. Eagle and Dr. Lasker. I’m at Commonwealth to further develop my clinical skills and enhance my training by meeting with students, teaching seminars about mental health and wellness, and participating in student life activities.
When and how can students expect to meet you?
I’m at school all day Monday and Tuesday, as well as Thursday afternoons.
What’s the best way for students to connect with you during the school year?
Students are welcome to stop by my office on the 4th floor or they can email me.
What does a typical day look like for you?
As a graduate student, every day looks different: I’m either at Commonwealth, meeting with students individually and consulting with faculty and staff; taking classes at William James College (I’m currently in a course about couples therapy!); or working remotely part-time as an admissions assistant at a local rehab facility. On weekends, I like going on walks with friends and spending time with my family.
Anything you’d like to add?
My name might be challenging to pronounce. Lilit is a common Armenian name, and it’s pronounced: “Lee-Leet.”