I heard about Gateway when I obtained my GED from Kenton County Adult Education when I was 18. I enrolled at Gateway in spring of 2008 and am pursuing an Associate Degree in Science. After I graduate, I plan to transfer to a four-year college, but I am not sure where yet. I do know that I want to work in research in the clinical psychology field and then I would like to start a non-profit that fights the stigmas against mental illness. Eventually I would like to own my own private practice. I am really interested in applying science to real-life situations. Last summer I approached my professor , Dr. Tom Sproat and told him I was interested in doing a research project for experience. I wanted to see how science can come alive; it’s more than just what’s in a book. I worked on my research project, “The Affects of Gender and Age on Soda Formula and Logo Preferences,” for seven months. After it was completed I presented it at the Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science at Western Kentucky University. It was a great experience because I met a lot of graduate and undergraduate students in psychology and saw what Kentucky has been up to. . The cherry on top for me was when students were looking at my project and saying, ”I never thought of it like that.” I plan to turn my research project into a manuscript and submit it for possible publication in an undergraduate research journal.
I am also involved in Phi Theta Kappa as the Vice President of Service. When I first came to Gateway, I was really shy, but PTK has helped to increase my self-confidence and bring me out of my shell. For me none of this is about the title or prestige, it’s about the opportunity to do things I wouldn't’t get to do otherwise, like establishing Cancer Awareness Month.
In my spare time I am usually kickboxing, singing at church, enjoying the Harry Potter series and of course studying. I think people would describe me as compassionate, intuitive, and definitely never a quitter. My advice to fellow students is to get involved on campus and don’t be afraid to talk with faculty. The faculty at Gateway are very willing to help you with your interests and endeavors; they helped me with mine. My mantra to live by: Love the world blindly with eyes wide open.