Leading up to Spring Commencement, we’re asking some of our graduates to tell us about their experience as Greyhounds and what they have planned for the next step in their journey. Meet Courtney Conway, who will receive her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Spanish and biology, this May!
Why did you pursue psychology?
I have a very strong interest in the mind and its coordinating behaviors. Psychology is a very broad field, so this major allowed me to pursue any route of interest before I learned what I want to do as a career.
Why did you choose to study at UIndy?
I chose to study at UIndy because I loved the campus– Smith Mall, the art around campus, etc. -as well as the size of the University. I had been told that UIndy had roughly 5,000 students, with at most 30 per class. This detail was important to me because I thought that I would have a more enriched learning experience being in a classroom with 20 students than a classroom with 100 students. Additionally, the faculty members I spoke with prior to my enrollment at UIndy were very kind and open to answering all questions I had, indicating that the University cares about who they hire to educate their students, even the prospective ones.
Are you a part of any extracurriculars (RSOs, societies, student leadership, teams, volunteerism, etc.) on or off campus? If so, what are they and what is your role?
I began to participate in the crochet club last semester.
Are there any faculty or staff members who have significantly impacted your time at UIndy? If so, who are they and how did they influence you?
Dr. Michael Poulakis is the faculty member that has significantly impacted my experience here at UIndy. He is very outgoing, making it easy to talk to him, but he is also very knowledgeable and is more than willing to share his wisdom with students. He has also willingly assisted and provided guidance to me in applying for graduate schools. As an introvert, Dr. Poulakis is the type of educator, and mentor, I have always needed in my academic career.
What are your plans after graduation?
My plan is to attend graduate school to study animal behavior. Ultimately, I would like to be conducting research over feline behavior and personality.
How did your degree program prepare you for your next steps?
Being able to participate in a research practicum course has allowed me to obtain insight as to how research can be conducted, as well as what all goes into the development of a study. The Capstone course has also helped prepare me for the next steps in my professional career because it has given me the opportunity to conduct research in a topic that I am personally interested in, as well as learn how to convert results into data and how to interpret that data.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at UIndy?
My favorite memories are from when I lived on campus my freshman year! I had the best roommates, so my favorite memories will always have to do with our inside jokes or any activities we did together.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
Your mental health is extraordinarily important. Take the time to care for yourself in the ways that you need before it declines so it does not impact your academics. It will be difficult to perform well in your classes if you are not at your personal best, so take the precautionary measures that work best for you. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you struggle with your mental health, though, because being a college student can be really tough, and it is only harder if you do not take care of yourself.
