Left to Right: Dr. Malin Lilley, Alexandra Penrose, Abigayle Rocha, Michelle Sandy (online), Amanda Sawyer, Ariana Espinosa Grimaldo, Joel Millan, Dr. Madelynn Shell
Psychology Majors Shine in the Student Research Symposium: Six students from the Counseling and Psychology Department participated in the second annual Student Research Symposium held on December 6, 2024 in the Bernie Beck Lecture Hall and online. The event was hosted by the Division of Research and Innovation, the Psychology Club, Psi Chi, and the Science Club. Co-directors who organized the event were Drs. Bunkowski (Center for Faculty Engagement), Lilley (Advisor Psychology Club and Psi Chi), Murphy (Division of Research and Innovation), Shell (Advisor Psychology Club and Psi Chi), and Weiser Erlandson (Advisor Science Club).
Students who participated in the event showcased months of work on the research projects they conducted with the guidance of their faculty mentors. Many of the research projects grew out of course assignments that transcend the classroom given that high-impact educational practices are embedded in program curriculum throughout the department. Some projects were derived from larger faculty research programs that students were invited to join. These transformative opportunities give students hands-on experience with the work in the discipline and prepare them for graduate school and their careers.
Students from the Counseling and Psychology Department who shared their research at the event include the following:
Airana Espinosa Grimaldo (BS Psychology) Bridging the Gap: The Relationship between Student-Faculty Interactions, Motivation, Self-Confidence, and Stress (faculty mentor Dr. Malin Lilley)
Joel Millan (BS Psychology) Understand the Effects of Student Background on Motivation and Achievement (faculty mentor Dr. Madelynn Shell)
Alexandra Penrose (BS Psychology) Join the Club: Campus Engagement Could be the Key to Increased Self-Confidence (faculty mentor Dr. Malin Lilley)
Abigayle Rocha (BS Psychology) The Influence of Self-Efficacy and College Belonging on Academic Success and Giving Feedback (faculty mentor Dr. Madelynn Shell)
Michelle Sandy (BS Psychology) You’ve Got a Friend in Me: The Relationship between Belonging and GPA (faculty mentor Dr. Malin Lilley)
Amanda Sawyer (MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling) Effects of Self-Worth and Shyness on the Well-Being of First-Year University Students (faculty mentor Dr. Madelynn Shell)
Students who are interested in conducting research and sharing their work with the A&M - Central Texas community are encouraged to let their faculty members know. Students can become involved in projects now, so they are ready to participate in Scholar’s Day held each spring semester and the Student Research Symposium held each fall semester.