Undergraduate Mentoring Program
The undergraduate mentoring program pairs outstanding upperclassman in the department with groups of students enrolled in Psychology 210, one of the starting points for students entering the major. Mentors are also available for other students within the department through office hours, held weekly in Johnson Tower 221A. The mentors are knowledgeable about departmental opportunities, navigating the university, study skills, and general tips for being successful students. In addition to meeting with students in small groups and through office hours, as a group they put on presentations about topics relevant to anyone interested in Psychology or getting involved at the university! If you have any questions about the program, please contact Dr. Dee Posey (deeposey@wsu.edu) or Amy Nusbaum (amy.nusbaum@wsu.edu).
Schedule
Mentors:
Carina Moreno-Ramirez
Email: c.moreno-ramirez@wsu.edu
Graduation: Spring 2019
Other majors/minors: Pre-Medicine
Hometown: Royal City, WA
Intended career: Psychiatry
University involvement: Psychology Mentor, Psychology Club
Advice for students: Put in the hard work at the beginning and it will pay off in the end. Get involved around campus and make an effort to explore new clubs and sports, you never know what will be your passion.
Rylee Goodwin
Email: rylee.goodwin@wsu.edu
Graduation: Spring 2019
Other majors/minors: Fine Arts
Hometown: Orting, WA.
Intended career: High school guidance counselor
University involvement: Psi Chi member, first-generation ambassador, Psych 105 TA
Advice for students: Get involved! It can be intimidating to get involved (especially as a freshman), but it’s so rewarding and teaches you so many skills with networking and work ethic.
Taylor Barnum
Email: taylor.barnum@wsu.edu
Graduation: Spring 2018
Other majors/minors: Anthropology and Women’s Studies
Hometown: Port Orchard, WA
Intended career: University Professor
University involvement: Psi Chi, Psychology Club, WSU dining services, TRIO tutor
Advice for students: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone on campus is there to help people, and they want to see you succeed – if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be here. Take their advice, go to office hours, and don’t be afraid to seek information.
Samantha McLeod
Email: samantha.mcleod@wsu.edu
Graduation: Spring 2018
Hometown: Puyallup, WA
Intended career: Mental Health Counseling
University involvement: Research assistant, Teaching assistant
Advice for students: Find a way to balance out your social life and your course work! Don’t be afraid to take some time to spend with your friends and make some memories. Staying on top of your school work should also take priority, try to get involved and get help from people within the major, this will help you stay on top of your work and help gain insights into the department.
Brianna Kettel
Email: brianna.kettel@wsu.edu
Graduation: Spring 2018
Other majors/minors: Double Degree in Women’s Studies and Psychology
Hometown: Sequim, WA
Intended career: Psychiatric Social Worker
University involvement: Washington State University Hawaii Club
Advice for students: Take your time to enjoy every college experience. The memories that you make throughout your college career will stay with you forever.
Matthew Sionson
Email: matthew.sionson@wsu.edu
Graduation: May 2019
Other majors/minors: Human Development
Hometown: Oak Harbor, WA
Intended career: Adolescent Therapist
University involvement: WSU Greek positions, Future undergraduate researcher
Advice for students: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There are always people around you that are willing to support you, teach/tutor, or are there to listen to you. In the university and department there are so many different opportunities to get yourself out there and get some experience. Get involved while you can and use the resources that are available to you. There are tons of great faculty members and people you can meet
Charlotte Evans
Email: charlotte.evans@wsu.edu
Graduation: Spring 2018
Other majors/minors: Human Development Minor
Hometown: Santa Clarita, California
Intended career: Experimental researcher in human development and behavior
University involvement: Research Assistant, Psi Chi
Advice for students: Take advantage of everything WSU has to offer: become a TA, get involved in research, join a club you think is interesting, and definitely go to study sessions (you’ll thank yourself later). Most importantly, don’t stress out too much. There are always people who are willing and able to help.
Megan Loman
Email: megan.loman@wsu.edu
Graduation: May 2018
Other majors/minors: Double Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Human Development
Hometown: Richland, WA
Intended career: Juvenile Delinquent Counselor
University involvement: Alpha Chi Omega Alum, Research Assistant – Youth Personality Behavior Lab, and Alternatives To Violence of the Palouse Volunteer Advocate
Advice for students: Don’t push opportunities off “until a better time” and don’t disregard opportunities because they “aren’t required”.
Samantha Johnson
Email: samantha.m.johnson@wsu.edu
Graduation: Fall 2019
Hometown: Rathdrum, Idaho
Intended career: adolescent counselor
University involvement: Resident Advisor, Cru Campus ministry
Advice for students: Write down anything and everything what you want while you are here in college no matter how outrageous is sounds. College isn’t the time to say I wish I could do this, it’s the time to say, “Look I finally pursued this.”
Christina Strauch
Email: christina.strauch@wsu.edu
Graduation: Spring 2018
Other majors/minors: English (Creative Writing) and Human Development
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Intended career: Counseling, likely family practice
University involvement: Ballet and jazz instructor for university recreation, teaching assistant, and LandEscapes journal
Advice for students: One piece of advice I would give to incoming psych students is to take every opportunity given to you. Don’t sit in your dorm all day. Go out and meet new people, make connections with professors and advisors, and try anything and everything. College is a time to explore who you are and create an identity for yourself, so don’t let opportunities and experiences pass you by.