Mercedes, from New Philadelphia, OH, was drawn to Ohio State because of the wealth of opportunities it afforded her and the sense of welcome she received on her first visit. As for psychology, she wanted a major that would enhance her knowledge of behavior and brain functioning especially as it relates to mental health.

During her time at OSU, Mercedes worked as a Resident Assistant (RA) in Lincoln Tower and as a research assistant in Dr. Fazio’s Attitudes & Social Cognition Lab where she helped run experiments and completed coding related to prejudice, implicit bias, impulsiveness, and decision-making. About being an RA, Mercedes said:

“This was one of my favorite experiences in undergrad because I grew so close with my residents and was able to leave a lasting impact on them. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and help them with their transition to college because I know it's a big jump and the first year can be very hard.”

Academically, Mercedes had several favorite psychology classes including Biological Psychiatry, Abnormal Psych, and Behavioral Genetics. Through these courses, she learned about psychological disorders and their biological and environmental causes. She appreciated how the course content from each class meshed with the others as well as helped her gain real world experience.

After graduation, Mercedes plans to attend Veterinary School and specialize in animal behavior.