2016 2016: Mayra Class: Admissions ambassador, international orientation leader

Year: Class of 2016
Major: Psychology
Minor: Aging & Health
Hometown: Boston, MA
Leadership: Admissions Ambassador, International Orientation Leader
Next steps: Graduate school for clinical psychology

Future as a clinical psychologist

I majored in psychology because I want the chance to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to help people in my community live healthier lives. I believe that mental health is a very important aspect in living a healthy life.

Many children are misunderstood and need someone who grew up in the same system to understand how and why they think the way they do. I know I’ll make a difference, one child at a time.

I decided to minor in aging and health because I wanted to be able to help people understand the aging process.

After graduation, I plan on applying to graduate school to become a clinical psychologist.

International orientation leader

When I applied to be an international orientation leader, I thought I’d be educating students from around the world, but it was the other way around. I gained so much more than I ever thought I would.

I was able to learn about different cultures’ perspectives on life. It’s made me a well-rounded person because I no longer think of just what would benefit me, but rather what role I play in the bigger picture. I have a newfound appreciation for diversity and how it completes us.

Confident and goal-oriented

Although you’re away from home, you feel like you have a family here. We have a really tight community.

Living on campus, I’ve learned how to adapt to different living situations. Embrace the diversity on this campus. There are a lot of people you can learn from; don’t let language or culture be an obstacle.

Joining the sorority Alpha Sigma Tau allowed me to blossom into the outgoing and goal-oriented person I am today. I feel more confident knowing I have a group of sisters helping me through my college experience.

Supportive faculty

I was surprised by how involved the faculty and staff are in the students’ academic lives. The faculty are really friendly and supportive. They care about the students’ well being and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities we have here on campus.

Prof. Tim Nulty was my favorite professor. He pushed me my freshman year when I didn’t believe in myself.

More information

College of Arts & Sciences: Psychology

College of Arts & Sciences: Aging & Health

When I applied to be an international orientation leader, I thought I'd be educating students from around the world, but it was the other way around. It's made me a well-rounded person.