Share Your Story: Nicholas Smith ’15

SHARE YOUR STORY

Westminster’s impact persists

Upon my commencement from Westminster, I decided to pursue more advanced education beyond my B.A. in psychology. During the spring semester of my senior year, I interviewed and was accepted into several Ph.D. programs to study school psychology. Over the course of the interviews I found that I was as well prepared as any undergraduate student entering the pool of potential doctoral students. Westminster provided me with clinical experiences through an internship shadowing a psychologist, research competencies by completing my capstone thesis, and presentation skills by funding me to present my capstone at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research in Spokane, Wash., during my final semester on campus.

Many professors at the universities where I interviewed said that few students coming straight out of their undergraduate studies were as well prepared as I, which I attributed to the high quality education at Westminster College. I accepted a graduate assistantship, which included full funding, at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa.

As I reflect back on the education I received, I can see that I was more prepared than several of my cohort members, particularly in regards to conducting my own research. The foundational skills that were instilled in me at Westminster are enhanced each day during my doctoral program. During a time when students exiting college face a level of uncertainty, I feel confident in my future based on the world-class, liberal arts education I received at Westminster College.

Westminster has shown me the value of a liberal arts perspective and the importance of being well versed across disciplines. My current field of study encompass constructs of both education and psychology, both of which I studied at Westminster. I am also involved in the pediatric school psychology research group at USF, which focuses on collaboration between education and health care systems to serve students with chronic health conditions. The wide depth of classes I took at Westminster has truly helped expand my focus and allowed me to contribute to this research group, particularly with conference presentations. My liberal arts education has allowed me to link subjects together and truly enhance my understanding of psychology.

I have also continued to receive mentoring from faculty members beyond graduation. Dr. Sandra K. Webster, professor of psychology, was at USF for a conference, contacted me, and she graciously provided me some useful feedback for the graduate thesis I was writing. Also, Dr. Mandy B. Medvin, professor of psychology, and I were able to publish a journal article of the research I completed for my capstone. Dr. Medvin worked tediously with me for almost six months beyond my graduation in order to publish this article. I am not sure how many faculty members anywhere would help an alumnus publish his senior thesis, but Dr. Medvin did! Each of these people in one way or another has made me feel valued and truly loved by Westminster, even though I am 1,000 miles away from campus.

Westminster has also taught me the value of relationships and that all Titans are united, regardless if we are in New Wilmington. Since relocating to Tampa in August 2015, six of my classmates have visited me. Two of my fellow alumni are moving to the Tampa area. I have also been fortunate enough to interact with Westminster Trustee Keith McCauley ’68 of Dunedin, Fla. We frequently visit and I have accompanied him on college fair visits to help recruit potential Westminster students and encourage them to attend the school I love. I have greatly enjoyed this opportunity to give back I feel truly blessed that Westminster continues to make an impact on my life.

On Aug. 6, 2016, I graduated with my M.A. in school psychology. This is not the end of school for me, as my goal is to earn my Ph.D., which I will continue to pursue at USF. However, since graduating from Westminster, using the skills I learned, and being able to interact with many Titans, I have seen that Westminster will continue to impact my life for years to come. I look forward to the ways that I can continue to serve the College, interact with fellow Titans, and grow personally and professionally.

~ Nicholas Smith ’15