BS in Psychology

Rochelle Sceats, 2013

Rochelle Sceats
Rochelle has challenged herself in numerous ways. She began the highly competitive honors program in psychology as a sophomore. She chose an honors section of the required English 302 and continues to take advanced classes including a graduate course in developmental disabilities.
 

Rochelle managed this academic success while competing on the Mason Cross Country and Track and Field Team. In recognition of her academic and athletic successes, she was twice named a Mason Scholar Athlete of the Year and a national Academic All-American.

She has served as a research assistant in the labs of two Mason professors. In Dr. Rojahn's lab, she administers screening tests and uses eye-tracking software and is working on her honors thesis, Eye Gaze in Infants and Toddlers as a Potential Risk Factor for Autism Spectrum Disorder. In Dr. Riskind's lab, she joins a team of graduate students on a project focused on protective factors for suicide.

Rochelle applies what she's learning in the classroom and research labs as a volunteer in the Mason LIFE prorgam. Though college-age, Mason LIFE students have disabilities that preclude their admission to a university. As Rochelle says, "It provides opportunities to students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to pursue a post high school education." Her volunteer work has led to a permanent position in the program.

Rochelle is a member of the honor societies Psi Chi and Phi Kappa Phi. She was awarded the Dean’s Challenge Scholarship for 2012-2013.

Currently, Rochelle just started her third year in the Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience program here at Mason and also has a neuropsychology externship at the National Institutes of Health for this academic year.