The Academic Excellence in Psychology Award honors the performance of undergraduate students in major classes and one award will be given annually for each major (PSY, BNS). Recipients of the prestigious award will have demonstrated scientific literacy, time management skills, outstanding in-class participation, excellent written or/and oral skills, critical thinking, and overall academic excellence. Award recipients are nominated by the Psychology faculty and selected by the Psychology Department Awards Committee.

Adam Hinbern (Psychology)

How did you become interested in psychology?

I’ve always had a passion for helping people, which goes back to my previous career as a retail store manager, where I built meaningful relationships with those around me. Psychology drew me in because I wanted to better understand what drives people, the underlying processes, motivations, and experiences that shape who they are. It felt like the perfect blend of my interests, allowing me to both support others and gain insight into my own thoughts and behaviors.

What has been your favorite psychology class and why?

It’s difficult to choose just one when I’ve had the opportunity to learn from such outstanding faculty at GVSU. Professors like Ellen Shupe (Capstone), Tessa Jordan (Childhood Development), and Kristen Schrauben (Exceptional Child) all created thoughtful and engaging classroom experiences. If I had to choose, however, I would say Behavioral Neuroscience with Professor Natasha Swalve. I was fascinated by both the material and her lecturing style; she made complex concepts engaging and accessible. One of my biggest regrets is not having the ability to take her Psychopharmacology course, as she is one of the most impactful lecturers I’ve experienced.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

I’m honored to have been accepted into GVSU’s Master’s program in School Psychology and will be returning this fall. The Psychology department and its faculty have played a major role in inspiring me to continue my education, so I can better serve my community. I’m especially excited to continue learning from faculty members like Kristen Schrauben, Jamie Owen-Deschryver, and Amy Matthews, while also building relationships with others in the program. I look forward to continuing my growth both academically and professionally.

Kayla Helferich (Behavioral Neuroscience)

How did you become interested in psychology?

I’ve always had a passion for working with individuals with disabilities. That interest led me to study psychology and behavioral neuroscience to better understand the science behind behavior and learning. I wanted to learn not just how to support people, but why certain strategies work and how to make them more effective. Psychology has given me the skills to apply my passion in impactful ways in the community.

What has been your favorite psychology class and why?

My favorite psychology classes were PSY 330: Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience with Dr. Swalve, and PSY 310: Behavior Modification with Dr. Wildey. Learning about the brain in PSY 330 sparked my interest in how biological processes impact behavior and emotion. I also loved PSY 310 because it was directly connected to my work as a Registered Behavior Technician, allowing me to apply what I learned in class to real-world settings. Both courses strengthened my desire to pursue behavior analysis professionally.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

I will be attending Florida Institute of Technology to pursue a master’s degree in Behavior Analysis Professional Practice. While working as a Registered Behavior Technician in this program, I will prepare to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Previous Student Award Winners