Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Montague, CA, went to high school in Klamath Falls, and then moved around a couple times after graduation. I decided to move to Albany when I was accepted as a transfer student here at OSU.
What drew you to psychology and writing as your fields of study?
After graduating from high school, I spent a few years working in different fields, not really sure what to do with myself. Some of those jobs included being a legal assistant, a supervisor at an Autozone, a restaurant manager, and most recently, a bartender. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit in 2020 that I finally sat down and really asked myself, “What makes me the most happy?” After some soul searching, I realized that I’ve always found comfort in talking to and helping others. I love when I can help someone reach their “ah-ha” moment and they come to a solution that they may not have been able to find on their own. I’ve also dealt with depression and anxiety for years and my therapists have helped me to improve my life in ways that no one else has been able to. I want to pass that help on to others that struggle with the same symptoms as myself.
I decided to take a minor in writing because I have always loved to read and tell stories. Although it doesn’t inherently relate to my psych degree, I would like to write a story that encompasses my love of psychology and world-building.
What has been your experience as a student of both the College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College?
My experience in both the College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College has been extremely rewarding so far. I have found a community of people that are passionate about psychology and working together to create a strong foundation for the future. It is obvious that both the students and professors want to create an environment that is challenging, yet exciting.
Have you started your honors thesis? If yes, what’s the topic and/or focus of your research? If not, are you considering any ideas so far?
I have started working on my honors thesis with Dr. Kenneth Maes. He is an anthropology professor here in the College of Liberal Arts and working with him has allowed me to create an interdisciplinary research project. The focus of the project is the mental health of community health workers, specifically in Ethiopia. Dr. Maes conducted an anthropological study while visiting the country and he is now allowing me to read the interviews he conducted with his team. From those interviews, I will be making inferences about their mental health and suggest ways in which they can receive more support from the organizations they work with and the communities they are a part of.
What have been some of your favorite classes taken?
My favorite honors psychology class has definitely been Cognitive Psychology (PSY 340H) with Dr. Jason McCarley. I have never enjoyed a class as much as I did that one. Rather than having a large focus on homework, the students were asked to read articles and discuss them in class. The discussions were extremely engaging and fun and if I could take the class again, I absolutely would.
Other classes I enjoyed were History Through Graphic Novels (HC 407) with Professor Andrea Marks and Peoples of the World - Africa (ANTH 315H) with Dr. Kenneth Maes.
What are you hoping to do after you graduate?
Once I graduate with my bachelor’s degree in spring of 2025, I plan to stay here at OSU and work towards my Ph.D. in clinical psychology. My goal is to become a clinical psychologist with a specialization in mood and personality disorders. I hope to publish a novel or two within the next several years as well.
How do you feel that your experience in CLA and HC is setting you up for success?
Being in the Honors College and the College of Liberal Arts has taught me to not be afraid to speak up. Compared to my first year of college, I feel so much more confident in myself and my work ethic. Being in the honors college has also given me contacts with people in my field that I may not have met otherwise.