From left, Qyntasia Davis, a senior at John R. Buchtel CLC
in Akron, and Kirstin Seawood, a senior at Warren G.
Harding High School in Warren, work in the lab to analyze
data with Samantha Renaud, graduate research assistant
with Kent State University's Department of Psychological
Sciences.

Kent State University’s TRIO Upward Bound programs and the Department of Psychological Sciences, within the College of Arts and Sciences, collaborated to create a unique experience for two rising high school seniors in the Upward Bound Classic Academy.

Qyntasia Davis, a student at John R. Buchtel CLC in Akron, and Kirstin Seawood, a student at Warren G. Harding high school in Warren, had the experience of a lifetime participating in a summer internship hosted by Kent State’s Department of Psychological Sciences. Both students have an interest in pursuing psychology as a major when they enter college in fall 2015. The internship was designed to give students research experience and exposure to the various fields of psychology.

The students worked in the research lab of Stephen Fountain, Ph.D., and also with Samantha Renaud, a graduate assistant. During their internship in the lab, the students learned about research that showed that exposure to nicotine at a young age leads to learning impairments during adulthood. The project this summer was to develop new behavioral tests to determine what cognitive abilities are affected by nicotine exposure early in life. Davis and Seawood were key contributors during this process.

“I was impressed by the girls’ positive spirit,” Renaud says about her interns. “They took on all tasks and challenges head-on and showed a tremendous zeal for learning.”

The students had never imagined that they would have the unique experience of conducting intensive research this early in their education.

“You can’t judge something before you try it,” says Davis, reflecting on her experience.

“Believe not in what you hear, but only in things you see,” Seawood says, reminiscing about her summer experience.

In the last week of their internship, Davis and Seawood had the opportunity to talk and learn from some of the best psychologists at Kent State about their specialty areas. Since both were undecided about what area of psychology to pursue, the last week of their internship gave them the opportunity to learn more about the various aspects and resources that are available to them.

“I know I want to help and treat people, but even after talking to the different faculty members and learning about all my options, I’m still not sure what field of psychology I want to pursue. But after this experience, I know I’ll figure it out,” Davis says.

Davis and Seawood completed the internship with stories and an experience that they could have only imagined.

Because of her experience this summer, Renaud says, “We need more programs like Upward Bound that helps young students find their passion and points them in the right direction.”

Davis and Seawood will be able to share their life-changing experience as scholars of distinction with their classmates, including how their experience gave them a jumpstart on their future careers.

Kent State hosts three federal TRIO Upward Bound grants, housed within the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – the Upward Bound Classic Academy, serving the communities of Akron (Buchtel CLC), Barberton and Warren; the Upward Bound Public Health program, serving the areas of Ravenna, Windham and Lorain; and the Upward Bound Math/Science program, serving the areas of Canton and Barberton. Kent State also is a proud home to two additional TRIO programs: the Ronald McNair Scholar Program (part of Graduate Studies) and Student Support Services (part of the Academic Success Center).

For more information about the Upward Bound programs at Kent State, visit www2.kent.edu/diversity/precollege.

For more information about Kent State’s Department of Psychological Sciences, visit www2.kent.edu/CAS/psychology.