Psychology Major Lands Summer Fellowship
May 05, 2010
The subjects of
psychology and behavior have fascinated Adaixa Padron since a
psychology class in high school in Tampa, Florida.
“I love the brain,” the enthusiastic junior explained, adding,
“there’s so much to study: behavior and the neurology behind it,
it’s a growing field. It’s pretty much wide open.”
Padron started as a Bachelor of Arts degree candidate in
psychology when she enrolled at Saint Leo, but switched to the new
Bachelor of Science program when that option became available in
the 2009-2010 academic year. The additional research courses
required for the B.S. degree fit well with the young woman’s
ambitions to go on to graduate school and earn a doctorate.
Her interest and ambition made her a prime candidate for a paid
fellowship program for minority students at the University of West
Georgia in May and June. This is only the second year of the
program, and its existence was a surprise to her––she discovered it
through academic mentors.
Heather Parker, Ph.D., chair of the Social Sciences Department in
the School of Arts and Sciences, received information about the
opportunity, specifically for minority students in biology,
computer science, English, history, nursing, psychology and
sociology. Parker circulated the information among
colleagues, including Shannon Greer, the assistant director of
academic student support services. Greer happens to oversee paid
student tutors including Padron, a part-time tutor for classes in
psychology and Spanish (the language she learned and spoke in her
native Cuba and during her early childhood when she and her parents
first moved to the United States). Greer encouraged Padron to check
out the fellowship. At the end of March Padron learned she had been
accepted.
At the University of West Georgia, Padron and seven other
undergraduates will be assigned to teams, and she is eager to see
what the research assignments will be. Student housing is provided
at no cost, and participants receive a $3,000 stipend.
Additionally, each student receives $1,150 for meals and a $200
travel allowance. The program begins May 16.
Other Saint Leo students should be excited about Padron’s
experience too, because her fellowship is only one example of the
possibilities open to students, Parker said, especially when
students keep in touch with their academic advisors about their
interests. “Opportunities like this are available for minority
students every year, regardless of academic major,” she said.
Parker is collecting information on internships and fellowship
programs for minority students and urges undergraduates to contact
her for leads. Some programs have deadlines early in the semester
or academic year, she noted, so the earlier students let her know
they are interested in such programs, the better. She can be
reached at heather.parker02@saintleo.edu.
