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I am a junior at the University of Kentucky majoring in Psychology. I want to continue to be a part of the field of Psychology, so much so, that I hope to be an established expert on the subject of Social Psychology one day. Goals that I have for my future entail attending graduate school and obtaining a Ph.D. in Social Psychology. Having done that, I hope to find a position as a professor, which would allow me to teach and to conduct research.
Thus far, my greatest involvement in Psychology has been through the Independent Study projects in which I have participated. During my sophomore year, I worked with my faculty mentor, Professor Saucier, in the spring semester and summer session. While working with him, I learned more about studies regarding prejudice and stereotyping, topics that have become the focus of my interests. He encouraged me to design and carry out a study. I later wrote this manuscript describing that study. As a junior, I presented a poster, for which I was first author, about the study at the Conference for the Society of Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP), held in Los Angeles in February, 2003. “Posters at the Capitol”, an event at which undergraduates from Kentucky public universities presented posters describing research to legislators and other state officials, was held that same weekend. Therefore, another student presented a poster of my study there. I am planning to continue working with professor Saucier on a follow-up study, and I hope to be |
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able to present a poster at the SPSP Conference again next year.
I have also participated in projects with Professor Monteith, who asked me to be a part of her research group during the fall semester of my junior year. One of the greatest benefits of participating in her research group was the opportunity to observe and talk with graduate students, which solidified my plans to attend graduate school myself. I have continued working with her this semester, and have made plans to do my Senior Thesis under her supervision. The work that I have done with Professors Saucier and Monteith has been a great experience, and it has given me a realistic view of what Social Psychological research entails. While at the University of Kentucky I have been awarded several honors. I received the University of Kentucky Commonwealth Scholarship and I have been on the Dean's List every semester. I was a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Academic Honor Society, and I have been a member of the Academic Pi Society since Fall 2000. I received the Panhellenic Academic Excellence Award in Spring 2002. I am a member of Pi Beta Phi Women's Fraternity. I was secretary of my pledge class, Historian, a representative for the Continuous Open Bidding Panel, and Assistant Membership Chair. I recently received the Outstanding Psychology Award for the 2002-2003 academic year. |
