Psychology Mentors

Aaron Chavarria

Major: Psychology
Minor: English
Hometown: La Grange
Campus and community activities:

• Psych Club (President)
  
• Angelo Civic Theatre (cast member)
  
• S.A.F.E. Recycling Center (volunteer)
  

Career goals: I plan on going to graduate school to obtain my master's in either psychology or English in order to teach at the college level. Then I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology and either going into private practice or continuing teaching.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: Being from a small town about five hours away from San Angelo, I know how hard it is to adjust to a new setting and meet new people. As a mentor, I hope to help incoming freshmen interested in the field of psychology become active in on- and off-campus activities while gaining knowledge they will need throughout their academic years.

Kayla Franke

Major: Psychology
Minor: Communication
Hometown: San Angelo
Campus and community activities:

• Psi Chi (Historian)
  
• Up & Coming Scholars Program
  
• Baptist Student Ministry
  
• Chi Alpha (XA) Christian Fellowship
  
• PaulAnn University Ministry
  
• House of Faith (mentor)
  
• PaulAnn Baptist Church (counselor intern)
  

Career goals: I plan to graduate with my bachelor's degree and go directly into the master's program at ASU in counseling psychology.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I wanted to be a mentor because I feel that helping others (in any way) has always been a passion of mine. Looking back, having come into college declared as a psychology major, I know that I would have loved having a mentor to aid in the college transition process. I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to encourage and guide students through the first semester of their college careers!

Lauren Fritsch

Major: Psychology and English with secondary certification
Hometown: Corpus Christi
Campus and community activities:

• ASU Rambelles Soccer Team (two years)
  
• Sigma Tau Delta
  
• Kappa Delta Pi
  
• Psi Chi
  
• Elmer Kelton Writers Conference (volunteer)
  

Career goals: I plan to obtain my master's degree in counseling psychology and either go on to get my Ph.D. or work in the school system as a counselor.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I wanted to be a mentor because I remember how confused and frustrated I was my freshman year, and how much I would have benefited from having someone guide me through things. Also, being a mentor is a great way to help students and me gain knowledge, ability, experience and social connections throughout college.

Jennifer Graham

Major: Psychology
Minor: Social Work
Hometown: Midland
Campus and community activities:

• Psychology Club
  
• Psi Chi
  
• Intramural sports
  
• Volunteer work with children
  

Career goals: I plan to attend Texas State University, where I will attain my master's in social work. I will then continue on for my Ph.D. to pursue my dream of working with children and families in a children's hospital.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I wanted to become a mentor to help make the roller coaster ride of the freshmen's first semester less stressful. This is an excellent opportunity to offer support, advice, knowledge and various social connections that students can benefit greatly from during the first year of college. My passion is grounded in helping others, and this is such a wonderful opportunity. I was robbed of this my first year, walking aimlessly across campus unsure of where I was going next. This is my chance to give back.

Lauren Guthrie

Major: Psychology
Minor: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Austin
Campus and community activities:

• Delta Zeta Sorority (President)
  
• Panhellenic Council
  
• Order of Omega (President)
  
• Student Organization Advisory Council
• (Greek Life Representative)
  
• Psi Chi
  
• Psych Club
  

Career goals: After graduation I plan on attending graduate school for a degree in higher education administration.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I wanted to be a mentor so I could show the new freshmen how much fun it is to be a psychology major, as well as all the great things about ASU and San Angelo!

Mary Halcomb

Major: Psychology
Minor: History
Hometown: San Antonio
Campus and community activities:

• ASU Angelettes dance team (Veteran Social Officer)
  
• Student Government Association (Secretary of State)
  
• University Center Program Council (Arts Chairperson)
  
• Psi Chi (Vice President)
  
• Psych Club (Treasurer)
  

Career goals: I plan to attend law school and hope one day to become an FBI agent.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I decided to become a mentor because I remember how frustrated I was during my first year here at ASU, when all I wanted was for someone to guide me down the right path. This program presents knowledge, experiences, study habits, social connections and direction toward future careers. I would love to help a freshman avoid all the mistakes I made and lead them down the path of success.

Minnie Ibarra

Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: San Angelo
Campus and community activities: Working for a church and directing a religious education program with more than 700 children and youth
Career goals: Ministering to college students
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I entered the mentor program with a desire to help students have an awesome college experience by helping them stay focused on studies and enjoying college life. I just want to be present to any of my mentees for encouragement and any other issues they might need help with.

Marcus Nellums

Major: Psychology
Minor: Criminal Justice and Aerospace Studies
Hometown: Galveston
Campus and community activities:

• Russian Club
  
• Tennis Club Team
• National Society of Leadership and Success
  

Career goals: I plan to attend graduate school, then join the military, and ultimately become a special agent for the CIA.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I wanted to become a mentor because I want to help freshmen college students with any questions they may have, and offer my honest advice. I believe I can help them be successful, and I can help guide them toward their ultimate goals.

Michael O'Neal

Major: Psychology
Minor: English
Hometown: Sweetwater
Campus and community activities:

• Air Force ROTC (one year)
  
• Chi Alpha
  
• Baptist Student Ministries
  
• The National Society of Leadership and Success
  

Career goals: I plan to go to graduate school and become a licensed counselor.
Why I wanted to become a mentor: I wanted to become a mentor so I would have the opportunity to help some freshmen out and show them some good and fun things about ASU, and have a positive impact on their lives as well. Also I think it will be a learning experience for me. Being a mentor will help me in the future with my career goals.

Megan Sartain

Major: Psychology
Minor: Mass Media
Hometown: San Angelo
Campus and community activities:

• Outreach Specialist (mentor) for Girl
• Scouts of Central Texas
  
• Concho Valley Home for Girls (volunteer)
  

Career goals: I hope to receive my Master of Science in counseling psychology here at Angelo State, and then plan to continue on to earn my Doctor of Psychology in hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist here in Texas. I also hope to teach as a psychology professor later down the road.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I became a mentor to help new freshmen discover what being a psychology major is all about, as well as show them how much Angelo State has to offer them. I am prepared to guide these students on how to be successful in college and stay on track, while enjoying this extraordinary time in their lives.

Lance Schmidt

Major: Psychology
Minor: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Saint Paul, Minn.
Campus and community activities:
Wesley Campus Ministries (Historian, technical guru)
Career goals: I plan to graduate and go into the Border Patrol, and eventually get into the Drug Enforcement Agency or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I decided to become a mentor to help first-year freshmen not make the mistakes other freshmen have made in the past. I feel that if they have someone there to help them choose classes, stay focused and not get distracted by partying, they will be able to have a better first semester than those freshmen without a mentor.

Serena Sosa

Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: San Angelo
Campus and community activities:

• Golf
  
• Angelo State Rambelles golf team (two years)
  
• Lone Star Conference Commissioners'
• Honor Roll
  
• Multicultural Mentor Program
  

Career goals: I plan to attend graduate school and further my career in counseling. I hope to become a licensed professional counselor.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: My long-term goal is to be in counseling. Being a mentor allows me another opportunity to help people solve problems, achieve goals and enjoy their overall experience at Angelo State.

Whitney Stout

Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: San Angelo
Campus and community activities:

• Psi Chi
  
• Alpha Mu Gamma
  

Career goals: I plan to apply for the Air Force Civilian Palace Acquire Program, where I will work in the Force Support field, and eventually attend graduate school for psychology or social work.
Why I wanted to be a mentor: I wanted to be a mentor because I remember what it was like being a freshman, and I was completely lost. I was a first-generation college student, and there were a lot of things I wish I had known. I know I could have greatly benefited from an upperclassman's guidance and encouragement, and I would like to offer that same type of support to incoming freshmen.