Mandy Peterson

A brief bio (including major, year, and any extracurricular activities)

•  "Hello, I’m Mandy and am currently a senior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. While at Chico State, I have had the opportunity to work as a TA for Dr. Ennis in his biological psychology class, and have the privilege of being a Research Assistant in various labs. These roles have truly deepened my appreciation and passion for both psychology and criminal justice, allowing me to learn as much as possible from our amazing faculty. I am honored to be a BSS Future Scholar, a McNair Scholar, and a psychology honors student. I am also actively involved on campus as Vice President of the Psi Chi and Psychology club and as a BSS Student Ambassador. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing volleyball every chance I get, playing games with family and friends, being outdoors, and reading a good book."

• "I had been wanting to dive deeper into the research process and I wanted as much hands-on experience as I could get. Working with my mentor, Dr. Michael Ennis, has been an awesome opportunity to get that deeper dive I had been wanting. One of the best parts of this experience has been meeting and getting to know my cohort. I love being surrounded by a group of peers who share my curiosity and passion for research. This community has helped me see just how much more there still is to uncover through research."

What has been your most memorable experience in the program so far?

• "My most memorable experience so far has definitely been working with Dr. Ennis and our lab on our project. The hands-on experience I have gained throughout the entire process - from the planning stages to cleaning and analyzing the data – has been such a valuable experience for me. We are starting to get results from some of our analyses, and I can’t wait to share what we find! I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know my cohort. Hearing about their projects and seeing their passion and excitement for their them has truly been inspiring, and has made this experience even more memorable."

How has the program impacted your academic and personal growth?

• "The BSS Future Scholars Program has truly impacted my academic and personal growth in so many ways. On the academic side, the hands-on research experience with Dr. Ennis and our lab is helping me be more patient, adaptable, and resilient. Research can be challenging, and there are times when things don’t go as planned - these experiences have made me better at handling these setbacks and finding solutions.
  The biggest way my personal growth has been impacted is by helping my confidence. Engaging with peers and faculty and discussing our research has helped make me more comfortable with sharing and expressing my ideas. Collaborating with like-minded people, sharing successes and challenges, and supporting each other through it all is more than I could have asked for, and better than I thought it would be. It is so rewarding to be a part of such a creative, supportive, and inspiring group!"

What are your future goals and aspirations?

• "My first goal is to obtain my MA in Psychological Science from Chico State. From there, I would like to pursue and complete my Ph.D. in clinical psychology with an emphasis in forensic psychology and trauma. Ultimately, I hope to come back to Chico State as a professor, where I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students, just as the faculty here have done for me."

Any advice you would like to share with fellow students?

• "My biggest piece of advice for my fellow students is to build relationships with your professors. Don’t hesitate to stop by their office/student hours, ask about their research, or just take a moment to get to know them and let them get to know you. It really can make a difference. Also, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s joining a research lab, applying for a scholarship or internship, or taking on a new role – pushing yourself is how you grow. Always keep an eye out and be prepared for new opportunities because you never know when an exciting door might open up for you."