BA in Psychology

Janie Ritter, 2021

How did you choose your degree program?

I originally was completing a minor in Art History, but loved it and decided to switch the minor to a major.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

My time spent in art history classes has inspired me to pursue the study of art farther and to explore the intersection of the arts and social justice.

What accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?

I am especially proud of the number of research projects I have had the opportunity to conduct. Some research I have had the privilege to present at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. Additionally, to finish my time at GMU I am completing a thesis project which I will defend in May.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career? Please give an example of this impact if possible.

Dr. Angela Ho and Dr. Christopher Gregg were instrumental in my discovery of my passion and love for art history and in my decision to declare a minor (and later switching to a major). Outside of the Art History department, the teachings of Dr. Rachel Jones and Dr. Kurt Brandhorst of the Philosophy department inspired me to look more closely at the ways I could intersect art and art history with social justice, and the work I want to pursue outside of academia.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I plan on pursuing farther the study of audience engagement with art. This concept is vital in creating a positive and meaningful experience for the art viewer, both within the museum and without. My long term goals include becoming involved with the Prison Arts Programs, and seeking ways to using art to bridge the gap between those on the inside of the incarceration system and those without.