| Student | Award |
|---|---|
| Ashleigh Frank | Outstanding Overall Senior Award |
| Maxwell Weinberg | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| Austin Lozada | Berni Leidner Exceptional Achievement Award |
| Melissa Anderson | Outstanding Senior Service Award |
| Sherley Mejia | Outstanding Senior Service Award |
| James Duffy | Teaching Assistant Appreciation Award |
| Naomi Lynn Small | Research Assistant Appreciation Award |
| Olachi Unaka | Research Assistant Appreciation Award |
| Abigail Greene | Outstanding Internship Contribution |
| Emily Kaye | Academic Excellence Award |
Hear what some of our senior award winners had to say about their UMass experience:
Ashleigh Frank
Outstanding Overall Senior Award
What is one of your favorite memories from PBS?
That’s a hard one! I’d have to say one of my favorites is finding my mentor, Michael Constantino. I took his Psych 383 course about counseling and psychotherapy (HIGHLY recommend this class) and loved they way he taught. So, I went to his office hours to chat and learn more about the lab he runs, the Psychotherapy Lab, here at UMass. This led me to becoming a research assistant and eventually him becoming my mentor for my honors thesis. I’ve loved working with him and my co-mentor from that lab, Averi Gaines. They are lovely people whom I am grateful to have met!
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
My experiences with the PBS faculty definitely helped me shape who I am today. They fostered such a welcoming and encouraging environment to be able to reach out and ask questions/for help when needed. I have since been able to come out of my shell a bit more, interact with the faculty and the students within PBS. I’ve grown from being a shy individual to someone who now is able to get more involved in things I love rather than watch from the sidelines.
What advice would you give to incoming UMass students?
I would absolutely advise to get involved in your major. I tried out being a TA, research assistant, peer advisor, mentor in SPACE, and volunteer, and through all of these channels was able to have great experiences and meet new people. So, talk to your professors, advisors, even reach out to researchers whose labs you’re interested in. They are all here to help you succeed and it’s a great way to find what you’re passionate about in PBS, there are so many things in this field you can do! I had no idea how to maneuver through college, and being able to do this helped me get to where I am now.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I currently have a job lined up to be a Therapeutic Mentor through the Justice Resource Institute, where I’m going to help kids and their families. I plan on going back to school after a year or two to get my Master’s in Clinical Social Work and become a LICSW and be a therapist. Eventually I’d love to get my Ph.D in Clinical Psychology to become an advisor and professor, but! that is down the road. I am excited to take my next steps in this field as a mentor.
James Duffy
Teaching Assistant Appreciation Award
What is one of your favorite memories from PBS?
This is a bit of a throwback, but, during freshman year, as part of an assignment for Professor Bickford’s Social Psychology class, I spent an entire day wearing a suit as a way of violating a social norm. I made a point of not explaining why I was wearing a suit to anyone who asked—to really immerse myself in the experience—and the range of reactions I got when I simply said, ‘I just felt like wearing a suit today’ was pretty broad. Easily one of the most fun assignments of my undergrad experience.
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
There are two classes, in particular, that really shaped who I am coming out of undergrad: Abnormal Psych with Professor Halgin and Developmental Psych with Professor McDermott. Abnormal Psych really opened me up to the world of clinical work and the awesome challenge of working with patients who present in a host of different manners, the difficulty that comes with clinical work, and the unbelievable reward of a successful therapeutic relationship. Developmental kick-started my passion for working with kids—specifically, teens. It’s a fun age group to work with for a multitude of reasons, but also one which, I believe, is in critical need of strong, positive role-models, who can help them navigate an especially challenging period of life.
What advice would you give to upcoming UMass students?
Explore your interests—this is the time to do it. Take classes that you think are a little weird, but, for one reason or another, you’re still drawn to. Talk to as many people as you can, even if you don’t like them at first—especially those people. Chat with your professors (not just about school, but about your interests and theirs; they’re people, too, and have interests outside of the university, believe it or not, and can give you some pretty cool insights). Explore Amherst and the surrounding towns (the bus system isn’t that hard, you’re just overthinking it). Lastly, go to the library and read—not for class, for you. There are (literally) millions of FREE books in there that you can take out with the swipe of your U-Card. There’s bound to be something you find interesting.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I will be pursuing work as a Residential Counselor or Mental Health Specialist, working with kids and teens. I’d like to get some experience in the field before looking at graduate school, but, after a few years, I intend on applying to grad programs to pursue an MSW.
Sherley Mejia
Outstanding Senior Service Award
What is one of your favorite memories from PBS?
My first day as a peer advisor is one of my fondest memories. It was a great feeling to assist students and connect them with the resources available to them. Through this role, I was able to guide students and help them make the most of their academic experience. I am also grateful for the opportunity to build meaningful connections with faculty advisors, who were always available to provide invaluable insights and address any questions/concerns.
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
The PBS department has had a profound impact on my personal and academic growth. The faculty, professors, and students are a close-knit community, who have offered me unwavering kindness and motivation. My academic and research experiences have strengthened my interest in the intersection of biology and psychology. Joining the SEED lab allowed me to conduct independent research, with the support of my peers and mentors. Overall, being part of this supportive network has been instrumental in my academic and personal growth.
What advice would you give to upcoming UMass students?
Give yourself some GRACE. UMass is a big school and it can be easy to compare yourself to others, but please do not. Remember that despite your insecurities, you belong here, and you are capable of achieving great things. Strive to be the best version of yourself, and everything else will fall into place.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
As I prepare my medical school application, I will be working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Nephrology.
Olachi Unaka
Research Assistant Appreciation Award
What is one of your favorite memories from PBS?
One of my favorite memories from PBS was partaking in student panels to help and give guidance to underclassmen looking to join research within the department. I think I liked it the most because I was able to give a perspective from my personal experience and provide tips and advice to those most eager to join. And afterward, when one or even two students would come up to me and say thank me or even ask to connect to possibly talk in the future on a personal level if they needed help, really made me feel as though I was doing something right and important to benefit my peers.
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
I had a lot of support from PBS, especially from staff and my mentors. They helped me create a path to figure out what my passions are and what type of career or research I would like to pursue today. The people within the department closest to me also consistently reiterated that I could achieve my goals if I put my mind to it.
What advice would you give to upcoming UMass students?
Try to make connections with staff in the department, they are always so happy to help and are great resources when trying to navigate your major and or future career/even academic goals.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
After graduation, I will continue my love for research at the University of Chan Medical School, as part of their Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) where I will pursue Clinical and Population Health Research.
Melissa Anderson
Outstanding Senior Service Award
What is one of your favorite memories from PBS?
I have fond memories of standing on-stage at Destination Day this past spring. It was a wonderful opportunity to share what I love about the major with incoming freshmen and answer their questions about all things Psychology. In my on-campus job with New Student Orientation and Transitions (NSOT), parents will often ask, "So where are the students who aren't superstars?" The beautiful thing about the Psychology major is that anyone can make a name for themselves with the breadth of opportunities that come from studying the discipline. The past four years have been filled with meaningful connections and lifelong friendships that truly make me feel like a superstar.
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
My experiences within the Psychology department built off of each other seamlessly to make me the college graduate I am today. From Psych 100 to being an Experienced Peer Reviewer in Junior Year Writing, every opportunity I've taken has given me the chance to grow far beyond my college graduation. Given most courses, TAships, RAships, adn internships have opportunities to continue beyond a single semester, it was a great way for me to ensure that certain skills like copy editing/revising and data collection remained sharp throughout my college career.
What advice would you give to upcoming UMass students?
Do things you know you'll love, but also do things you think you'll hate. After all, you don't know something isn't for you until you try it.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
After UMass, I intend to work in Student Affairs at an accredited four-year university. I've gained incredible experiences here within New Student Orientation and Transitions, and would love to translate these experiences back in my home state of Maryland. It brings me joy to see a student or family member excited about all the possibilities for their future, and it's been an honor to discover this passion at such a young age.
Austin Lozada
Berni Leidner Exceptional Achievement Award
What is one of your favorite memories from PBS?
I loved working with Berni Leidner and being able to connect with faculty on a personal level more generally! Being able to engage in long, complex, and sometimes bizarre discussions was an amazing experience!
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
I wouldn't have half of the opportunities I do now if I hadn't connected with faculty and engaged in research at PBS. All of my professors have been extremely kind in advising me, sharing their thoughts, and guiding me through the complexities of engaging in research and undergraduate learning more generally.
What advice would you give to upcoming UMass students?
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there (especially as it pertains to connecting with professors)! It's hard to know what you want to do when you first start out, and that's totally normal! However, exploring and working with research and other faculty was an essential part of my figuring out what is and is not for me, and I wouldn't have had that experience if I hadn't forced myself to connect with others.
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
I will be attending graduate school for mental health counseling in the fall of 2023, and beginning a full-time job as a therapeutic mentor immediately after graduation.
Emily Kaye
Academic Excellence Award
What is one of your favorite memories from PBS?
One of my favorite memories from PBS was from Professor McDermott’s Developmental Psychology course. For context, I took this course the first semester back from over a year at home due to the pandemic. At the beginning of each class, Professor McDermott gave us a few minutes to talk to—or, at the very least, say hello to—someone sitting nearby. On one of the very first days, this was how I met my close friend Juliet Barry. We randomly turned to one another, and as we starting talking, we discovered that we were both studying Psychology and Linguistics! Our majors are what initially brought us together, but over time we became great friends due to so much more. Since the pandemic really limited our social opportunities, I appreciated that psychology professors understood this struggle and implemented ways to help us connect with others.
How did your experiences in PBS shape who you are today?
During my time in PBS, not only did the academics shape who I am today, but also the connections I made along the way. The people from PBS that I've had the chance to work closely with have had a profound positive influence on my experience at UMass and my future career goals. My biggest supporters from the PBS department have been my Thesis mentors (Gina Mason, Jen Holmes, Rebecca Spencer, and Lori Astheimer) and the professor for whom I was a Teaching Assistant (Christina Metevier). Both conducting my thesis in the Somneuro lab and being a TA for Christina Metevier’s Professional Development course have bolstered my confidence and overall prepared me well for life after UMass.
What advice would you give to upcoming UMass students?
My advice would honestly be to “fake it till you make it.” By this I mean, if you lack confidence and are worried about making friends, try to act as confident as you can! If you're someone who doesn’t typically initiate conversations, try to be that person! As you pretend to be more outgoing, you'll start to feel more and more confident, and you'll notice that putting yourself out there really pays off!
What will you be pursuing after UMass?
After graduating, I will be working as a Program Coordinator for the Professional Education unit at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. I am so happy to have found a position that combines my passion for and experience in event planning with my desire to be involved in education and helping others.
Maxwell Weinberg
Outstanding Thesis Award
Naomi Lynn Small
Research Assistant Appreciation Award
Abigail Greene
Outstanding Internship Contribution
