CHASS Student of the Month – April 2011

Amanda Jones

• Home Town: Cary, NC
• Class: Sophmore
• Major(s):
  • Psychology & Religious Studies
  • Minor in Linguistics
• Sample Courses:
  • Personality
  • Japanese Religions
  • Elementary Greek I & II
• Activities:
  • Study Abroad to Perugia, Italy (Summer 2011)
  • Resident Advisor, 2010-present
  • Co-president, Academic Study of Religion Club, 2009-present
  • Administrative Assistant, NCSU Psychoeducational Clinic, 2009-10
  • Pack Promise Scholar, 2009-present
• Honors:
  • University Scholars Program
  • Dean’s List
• Postgraduate Plans: Study of psycholinguistics.
• Career Goals: I am very interested in working with/researching language and children, including language acquisition and deficiencies.

Why did you select CHASS?

I had a wonderful AP Psychology teacher in high school, and was motivated to continue in the discipline. I have also always been a strong writer and wanted to take subjects that would allow me to write often. Additionally, I had family who attended NCSU, and the campus really appealed to me – with the beautiful Court of Carolina and stately brick buildings in the middle of an active city.

What has been your favorite course?

Social Psychology with Dr. Rupert Nacoste. I use the concepts he taught not only in other courses, but in real life – in navigating relationships and mediating conflicts as an RA, for example. This class is an example of how the humanities and social sciences are important to being an educated person in everyday life.

What do you enjoy most about CHASS?

There is always somebody here willing to help me. The school seems exceptionally large, but I have always found people who have taken an interest in me and guided me. My major classes are small – often no more than 30 students, and I get to know the professors well. I would say there are 4 or 5 instructors I have developed strong relationships with. I also appreciate that the administration goes out of its way to find out what we think, such as with Dean Braden’s Brown Bag Lunches with students.

What advice would you give to incoming students?

NCSU is a big place, and you have to work hard to make sure you are proactively finding opportunities that allow you to feel at home here. The people make it easy – you just have to take advantage of what’s here.

Nominate a student for CHASS Student of the Month.