MacKenzie Payton - Robert Hendersen Leadership Award
How did you become interested in psychology?
My interest in psychology stemmed from my natural curiosity about people and why they act the way they do. I also have a passion for learning, and majoring in psychology provided me with an abundance of areas and specialties to learn about. Psychology also paired well with my double major in Advertising and Public Relations, as I could combine the insights I’ve learned in Psychology courses and implement them in a creative capacity.
How have your leadership opportunities enriched your experience as a student?
While at GVSU, the leadership roles I have served in have enriched my educational experience in many ways, including professional development, honing technical skills, and community building on and off campus. I have made countless close connections among students, staff, and faculty that have shaped my career goals and future aspirations. These connections also allowed me to explore my many passions and have led to amazing networking opportunities which I am incredibly grateful for.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
After graduation, I am looking to work for a few years before pursuing a master's in I-O Psychology. I hope to use my degrees in the entertainment industry with a focus on self-compassion, DEI, or team dynamics.
Madison Wheeler - Research Excellence
How did you become interested in psychology?
I have always been interested in the brain and human behavior since I took psychology in high school, and as a behavioral neuroscience major, psychology became something I was fascinated with as I began to take more and more psychology courses for my studies. I found that I love being able to connect the biological and psychological pieces of human behavior to understand what fully makes us, “us”.
What have you learned from doing research?
While I have learned a lot, I would say the most important thing I have taken away from my research experience is learning academic resilience. There are many unprecedented and unpredictable obstacles when it comes to research, and gaining the skills to endure and work with obstacles is an important tool I take with me.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school at Michigan State University starting in the fall to earn my Ph.D., working in a neuroscience research lab.
Phuc Dang- Research Excellence
How did you become interested in psychology?
I got interested in psychology in a fairly stereotypical fashion. I had taken AP psychology in high school and found it was really easy to be interested in the subject. This, coupled with encouragement from my peers to pursue a career in therapy lead me to declare a major in psychology upon entering Grand Valley. I think it’s more important to talk about, Dr. Kristy Dean, Amanda Dillard, and Mihaela Friedlmeier who were amazing mentors, inspiring me through their own teachings, initiating the development of my drive for research and curiosity for psychology as a whole.
What have you learned from doing research?
The research process has taught me far past what the literature explicitly conveys. Research in combination with my coursework and practical experiences has served as a place to express my academic curiosity, explore personal questions, and strengthen my psychological foundations. It’s clearly shown the value of being well-read and an effective consumer of science; taking literature for exactly what it is, nothing more, and nothing less. Most importantly though, it’s taught me the intrinsically rewarding nature of being curious.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
As of writing this, I have recently accepted an offer of admissions from Purdue University’s Social Psychology Ph. D program. I hope to successfully obtain my Ph. D, being the first in my family to receive a doctoral degree, and pursue a career in academia thereafter. As of right now, the most appealing career activities to me are the continuation of psychological research, dissemination of the science, and guidance of future researchers.
Rachel Kloss - Academic Excellence
How did you become interested in psychology?
I have been interested in psychology since my junior year of high school when I first took AP Psychology. The more I learned, the more interested I became in the field, making the decision to major in psychology quite easy. I have never had any doubts that this was the right choice for me because every psychology class that I have taken has only furthered my passion for the subject.
What has been your favorite psychology class and why?
This is a very difficult question, as all of my classes have been extremely interesting, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would be Psychopharmacology. This class was a big challenge for me because biochemistry has not been a strong suit of mine. Not only doing well in the class but also finding great enjoyment in the topic and feeling like I really comprehend what I am learning made overcoming the challenge of this class so much more rewarding. I often find myself referencing back to this class in everyday life, as the content is also applicable to many things outside of therapy.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
I am very happy to announce that I am committed to Michigan State University for my master's in Social Work this upcoming fall semester! With my master's, I plan to pursue a career in Marriage and Family Therapy!
Thomas McNett Tremblay - Academic Excellence
How did you become interested in psychology?
I became interested in Psychology my Freshman year of undergrad. I entered Grand Valley State as a sports management major but I quickly realized that I did not have a distinct plan in place with that degree. I felt that I would be better suited in a different major. Second semester of freshman year I took my intro to psychology class with Dr. Todd Williams where I became fascinated with all things psychology. After some advising meeting I ultimately decided on changing my major to psychology.
What has been your favorite psychology class and why?
My favorite psychology course was Psychology and Education of Exceptional Child. This has been my favorite class because of the professor who taught it, Dr. Kristen Schrauben, and because it is most geared on what I want to go into in the future. This class was easy to stay engaged with and I was interested in nearly all of the topics given.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
After graduation I will be staying at Grand Valley State University and entering the School Psychology program to further my education.
Meghan G. Thornton - Academic Excellence
How did you become interested in psychology?
I became interested in psychology because I wanted a career that would have a meaningful impact in the lives of others. The human mind and the ability to learn are fascinating. School Psychology providesa way to continue learning about the human mind while applying that knowledge to improving the lives of my students and their families.
What has been your favorite psychology class and why?
My favorite course was Developmental Psychopathology. It was challenging and had a lot of information, but the subject was fascinating. It also provided a great deal of practical and meaningful interventions for children.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
After graduation I will be working as a school psychologist in East Grand Rapids Public Schools.