Crysta Cady

Major: Psychology

Minor: Criminal Justice & Human Development

Year: Senior

McNair Faculty Mentor: Joyce Ehrlinger

Research Interests:

My long-term research interests is to examine factors contributing to risky behavior in adolescences to better structure intervention programs an techniques for those adolescents already being a part of the court system or corrections system. Currently however, I have been researching factors influencing first-generation or other minority students while in higher education.

Research Title: Parent attitudes and higher education: The influence of student perception of parental support on college experience

Current Research: My research project looked at how minority or traditionally underrepresented students (i.e., students of color and first-generation students) perceived their parental support towards higher education and how that perception influences their college experience.

Plans for the Future:

In the near future I hope to enter a doctorate program in counseling psychology. Long-term I wish to become a counselor working with juveniles going through the court system or within the corrections system. I would like to use the experience I gain and the observations I will make to influence policies or instincts when it comes to treatment for juvenile delinquents.

Experience and development as a McNair Scholar:

McNair has been one of the greatest experiences during my time as an undergraduate. Challenging yes, but the personal growth I have experienced during this program I could have never imagined possible. McNair has really high expectations, but with those expectations I have gained the confidence to continue on with my education. I have grown in my public speaking, research, writing, time management, and overall intrapersonal skills. McNair has definitely taught me the professionalism which will be expected of me not only in my future doctorate program, but also in my future career.