Kayla Ford
E-mail: kayla.ford@my.und.edu
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Heather Terrell
Expected Graduation Date: May 2013
Organizations:
American Psychological Association Affiliate Member (2012-Present) Supporting Peers in Laid-back Listening Member, Officer Position: Vice President of Mental Health Awareness (2012-Present) Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society Member, Officer Position: Vice President (2011 Present) Honors Service Learning Group Member, Officer Position: Vice President (2011 Present) National Society of Collegiate Scholars Member, Officer Position: Historian (2011-Present) McNair Scholars Program Member (2011-Present) Active Minds Member (2011-Present) American Red Cross Club Member (2011-Present) West Hall Government, ARH Member (2011-2012) Early Childhood Education Student Organization Member, Officer Position: Vice President (2010-2011) Honors Program Student Organization Member (2010-Present) Student Psychology Association Member (2010-Present)
Honors:
President's Honor Roll (Fall 2011, Spring 2012) Dean's List (Spring 2012)
Presentations:
Ford, K., Laver, M., & Bradley, A. (February, 2012). Parental Discipline and Anxiety & Depression. Poster presented at the Oklahoma State University Research Symposium, University of North Dakota Research Scholar Conference, University of North Dakota Annual McNair Forum. Bowers, J., Clark, T., Ford, K., Terrell, H. (October, 2011). Attitudes toward the hypersexualization of black women using the Implicit Association Task. Poster presented at the annual Northern Lights Psychology Conference.
About me: I am currently a senior at the University of North Dakota. I will be graduating in May with a bachelors in psychology and honors. I am in the process of applying to graduate school in order to obtain a masters and eventually a PhD in social work, specifically working with children. During the summer and semester breaks I intern at a psychological clinic in my hometown and this semester I am interning with a social worker here in Grand Forks. I do research as a research assistant in Dr. Terrell's lab and have done an independent study in the past. I am currently working on my thesis in which I am working under Dr. Weatherly, Dr. Terrell, and Kay Powell. I find research intriguing and plan to do research the rest of my life. When I'm not studying, teaching, researching, interning, or attending meetings for the student organizations you can find me reading, watching hockey games, working at the University Children's Center, or walking around campus. I go home to Duluth, MN when I get the chance so I can visit with my large family. There at 15 children in my family and I enjoy spending time with all of them, but specifically the younger children. A few random facts about me: I am a Green Bay Packers fan (I grew up in Wisconsin), I don't like seafood, I have a bad habit of painting my nails, I eat ice cream all year long, I'm afraid of heights, I have a weakness for popcorn, I strongly believe different brands of bottled water have different tastes, I don't drink soda or coffee, I chew approximately 4 pieces of spearmint trident gum a day, and I enjoy learning and signing American Sign Language.
My McNair Experience:
McNair has been a great contribution to my success as an undergraduate student. McNair has provided me with the support that my parents, who are not familiar with college, were not able to provide me. A few aspects of the program which have benefited my growth as a student includes: monthly meetings in which we hear speakers talk about topics such as applying to graduate school, GRE prep courses and materials, tutoring, a course preparing for the application process to graduate school, financial assistants, laptop rental, help making research posters, business cards, research stipends, and multiple opportunities to participate in conferences including one in Oklahoma. Another aspect which I enjoy is the weekly meetings. During these meetings I can discuss anything which may be effecting my academics. Sometimes I am able to vent and ask for advice and other time I have questions about college and graduate school which my parents weren't able to answer. Other times I am able to report my accomplishments, which my parent's aren't always aware of the importance of the accomplishments I make. For example, my mother got a letter saying I was on the Dean's list and she called and asked me what I did to get in trouble and if I was getting kicked out of school. I believe that McNair has provided me with the support, encouragement, and resources that have helped me grow and develop as a student. I am now even more prepared for graduate school than I even could have imagined.