Macon State College MVPs is a web feature that profiles notable students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Residence: Warner Robins.

High School: “I was homeschooled, but during high school I took online classes from the Lukeion Project and the Potter’s School. With the Potter’s School, I wrote for our online student newspaper, and with the Lukeion Project I organized and edited its first (and I think only) student yearbook.”

Current Employment: “I am a full-time student, but I also volunteer as an intern at CASA of Houston County. Just recently I took a job as student coordinator of the Honors Program, and I have been working at Chick-fil-A for the past year.”

Degree Objective: Bachelor of science in psychology.

Class Rank: Sophomore.

Activities: “I am part of the Honors Program and have just this year participated in some of the conferences we either hosted at Macon State or attended in Atlanta and Little Rock, Arkansas. This summer I am participating in a study abroad program in London.”

Career Goals: “My goal is to become a child and family counselor, specifically to girls and young women. I love talking with people one on one, and it seems like so many of our young girls are struggling with so many issues. I feel drawn to help that portion of our society.”

She chose Macon State College because … “It’s close to home. I was going to move and transfer to Georgia College and State University, but that same semester Macon State adopted its psychology bachelor degree so I had no reason to leave.”

The one thing that surprised her about Macon State was … “How brilliant the professors are. Many of them could receive research grants at major universities, but they prefer to teach at Macon State because of the small class sizes. Professors here actually want to get know their students, and I love that.”

Her favorite professor is … “I have a lot of favorites so it’s hard narrowing it down to just one. But for the sake of space, I would have to say Dr. Kathleen Grant. She taught my Intro to Sociology and Intro to Social Problems classes (and I’m signed up to take her Marriage and Family course during Maymester). She is so passionate about what she’s teaching, and she tries to help the students apply the information to their own lives in a practical way. She is willing to help any student who comes to her or just discuss issues with anyone who shows an interest. She has been very encouraging to me."

Her favorite place to study is … “Starbucks. But let’s face it: the studying doesn’t really happen there. I study mostly at home, but sometimes I do need to study in the library on campus or in a restaurant just so I don’t get distracted by television or whatever I have going on or so I don’t fall asleep reading something."

One thing people don’t know about her is … “I like drawing cartoons to get my mind off school. To chill out, I’ll get out one of my superhero comic books and my colorful sharpie markers and try to draw a scene of out it. I enjoy working with my hands and creating something. Thinking like a psychologist, the same part of my brain is probably stimulated when I’m drawing cartoons as when I am decorating cakes.”

Her friends make fun of her because … “Well, I already mentioned the superhero comic books, lol. I talk with my hands a lot. Especially when I’m explaining something I like to use extreme gestures. Sometimes I forget the words for things (the other day it was salsa), and I’ll make random motions with my hands to try to describe what it is until the word suddenly comes to me.”

The one person she’d most like to meet is … “Michelle Obama. She is such an amazing role model for women, so very intelligent and elegant.”

Five years from now she sees herself … “Hopefully, finishing up graduate school earning my degree in counseling. I’d like to open my own counseling center for girls.”