Undergraduate Research Projects
Throughout my college years diversity as an educational topic has interested me and led me to take classes about the psychology of diversity, racial and ethnic relations, culture and gender bias, and more. Through this, I have met many passionate professors who have given me the ability to take my interests one step further by being able to conduct research. In my senior year at the University of Arkansas, a few classmates and I in our Research Methods course conducted an experimental project looking at how conforming and nonconforming gendered individuals might experience gender bias through images. To do this, we recruited approximately 50 individuals to complete an online survey that measured gender bias through Likert-type scale questions. Our hypothesis was supported after completing our research that participants who viewed gender-nonconforming images showed more gender bias than when they viewed gender-conforming images.
Even given the informality of this experimental project, I still look to its results as evidence of the bigger issue at hand. After working with many gender-nonconforming adolescents at a treatment facility during college, I can understand better how someone in that position might feel. As someone hoping to become a therapist, I imagine this is only the start of future research and lessons I can learn on how to work with those struggling with gender discrimination.
When coming up with an idea for my final paper in my substance use and misuse course, I couldn’t help but consider anxiety’s role in substance use disorders. Social anxiety disorder in particular not only makes it difficult for individuals to interact with others but also can lead to substance misuse to alleviate symptoms. My interest in this topic stems from recent events through the COVID-19 pandemic that caused many individuals to become sheltered and under-socialized due to online learning and remote jobs. From my own experience, I wondered if others were feeling more socially anxious from all this change. What could this mean for the already increasing problematic alcohol use seen around college campuses?
In this literature review, I focused on the sometimes controversial relationship that social anxiety has with alcohol use. I also go over three of the most influential factors contributing to their relationship, alcohol expectancies, drinking motives, and social environments. From this research, it was brought to my attention that many college students do struggle with the issue of alcohol use and dealing with their social anxiety. Completing this review has elevated my understanding of the social anxiety and alcohol use relationship and has given me future directions for clinical treatment plans that can better aid someone struggling with these issues.
Scholarship Recipient & Speaker
Before I transferred to the University of Arkansas, I completed my Associate’s in Arts at Elgin Community College in Illinois. Starting there, I applied for the Elgin Community College Foundation Scholarship which was an application for multiple opportunities. One organization within this foundation that I ended up receiving a scholarship from was Purses with Purpose. They are a membership-based club that offers community members the opportunity to support other women who want to better themselves through education. Through interviewing and getting accepted into this circle of amazing women, I learned a lot as a freshman college student.
I was invited personally to be a speaker at the ECC Foundation Board Meeting where I spoke about my educational aspirations and how scholarships like the ones they are providing are vital to achieving those goals for students in the Elgin area.
Scholarship foundations really do make a difference and for my two years at that school, I was gratuitous enough to receive a few other scholarships as well. I am grateful today for the opportunity I had to share my story with members of that foundation and also for being able to meet the women who funded part of my education in Purses with Purpose.
At each quarterly meeting we have the privilege of meeting a scholarship recipient. Usually those opportunities remind us of the personal importance of what we do as volunteers with the ECC Foundation.
Last night though, you gave me a much greater encouragement than usual. Your confidence, personality and message
inspired me to believe in you. I really appreciate your ability to synthesize and articulate your life experiences and create a very meaningful life goal for yourself. You are going to impact people’s lives in a very meaningful and positive way.
You impressed me, as I am sure you did others. I can understand why you received scholarships from ECC.
– Dan Walter, ECC Foundation Board Member
Varsity Track & Field
Before I started college you could find me at any given time of the year working or being a full-time student-athlete. I started doing track and field in 7th grade and I continued into varsity track and field in high school. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I decided to try pole vaulting for the first time. My school had minimal funding for track and field and my assistant track coach who had zero prior experience in pole vaulting underwent learning and teaching me the sport. For the next three years, I was able to compete as the only female varsity-level pole vaulter at my high school along with my amazing coach, Mr. Keller. In the end, I was able to set the second-highest pole vault jump at my school and compete in sectionals with some amazing athletes.
What had stood with me all the years is the impact coaches like Mr. Keller can have on student-athletes. His continued confidence and the work he put toward my success demonstrated the selflessness and determination I hope to have in my career.
