February 22, 2024
A senior in the Psychology program at Shawnee State University, Aimee Waits will obtain her dream this summer of being the first in her family to receive a college degree. An Adams County native, Waits originally chose SSU because it allowed her to work on her degree while remaining close to friends and family.
“Being a first-generation student can be lonely in the beginning because some may not understand what you’re going through or how college works,” she said. “Coming here has been helpful being so close to home so everyone can see what I’m working towards in the program and how I’m achieving my goals.”
Inspired by her instructors and peers in the classroom, Waits appreciates the Psychology program for providing strong relationships and great support for students to feel comfortable and open to asking questions with one another. She feels that SSU has provided her with a solid foundation, deepening her appreciation for her major and enhancing her educational experience.
“I can talk to the professors like they are my peers and that helps make them approachable,” she said. “They are a huge support system for me.”
Choosing Psychology was important to Waits as she feels that behavioral health is a crucial area that needs attention and is often overlooked. She was driven by her desire to be a part of the solution for mental health challenges and feels her passion stems from a belief that the current approaches to mental health need to be reconsidered and the perspectives need to change.
“There are not enough resources around for mental health or help to those who need it in the area and we need to change the way it’s been viewed in the past,” she said.
Determined to contribute to shifting previous attitudes toward mental health, advocating for increased awareness, and providing ways to have more comprehensive resources for those struggling, Waits plans to pursue a master’s in social work after graduation, focusing on behavioral health. Thankful for the Psychology program at SSU, Waits feels she has the confidence and foundational knowledge necessary to achieve her goal.
"The program is really tight-knit, helpful, and with smaller class sizes we have built relationships to support one another you can't get anywhere else," she said. Top of Form
SSU’s Psychology program provides students with an introduction to research techniques, theories of learning, psychometrics, and a variety of other subfields of psychology. Students learn more how to gain insights into the ways that people feel, think, and behave, while immersing themselves in courses in a range of disciplines including developmental, social, clinical, cognitive, and biological psychology.
To learn more about the Psychology program at Shawnee State University, visit shawnee.edu/psychology.