Applied Educational Psychology

Beth is currently seeking her MS in educational psychology with a concentration in applied educational psychology. Originally from Kannapolis, North Carolina she received her BS in exercise science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and came to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2013. We asked her to reflect on some of her past and current experiences. Read her responses below.

Awards

• Kappa Delta Pi – 2014

Accomplishments

Roles/Positions

• Internship as a Research Assistant with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Human Cognition and Nutrition Laboratory – January 2015
• Interim Research Manager at Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Laboratory- February 2014

Presentations

• Dew, D. A., Nieman, D. C., Gillitt, N. D., Shanely, R. A., Meaney, M. P., and Swiatek, M. E. (2014). Vitamin D2 Supplementation Amplifies Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in NASCAR Pit Crew Athletes. Paper presented at the Southeast American Sports and Medicine College conference, Greenville, SC.

Current Occupation

Instructor Assistant
Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

I help manage the online Health and Wellness courses, including technology support with Blackboard. Health and Wellness 110 courses give a foundational understanding of healthy lifestyles, where students learn how to incorporate a personal healthy behavior through a semester long motivational project.

Personal Interests

I love to learn and read, especially subjects that challenge my current understanding of the world! This is a shared passion between my husband and I, where we both enjoy introducing each other to new perspectives and subjects. We hope one day we will be able to travel and explore many cultures. A new found hobby is gardening, where I am slowly turning my small backyard into a vegetable paradise! I also enjoy crafting, especially transforming the ugly, broken, or scraps into something beautiful.

Future/Vocational Goals

I enjoy advising individuals on how to obtain their own personal goals, whether it is through health and wellness, or academia. Through my work within higher education and the community, I would like to continue on with this population, as these experiences were very rewarding.

What sold you on this program?

As I searched for a graduate program, many friends and family members suggested UT Knoxville, a school that they were all fond of through personal experience. I came across the EdPsych Online program and was immediately intrigued by their philosophy, program design, and curriculum outline. After conversing with program coordinator Cathy Hammon with how I could fit into the program, I was overwhelmed by how much the faculty were invested in my success; it was truly comforting and gratifying how accepted I felt, especially coming from a non-educational or psychology background and living 4 hours away from campus!

What would you tell an incoming student who joins the program?

Through this program you will gain a vast amount of knowledge in the complexities of education, as well as with viewing the world a little differently through understanding diversity. We all are learners and teachers in the EdPsych Online program. With that said, don’t be afraid to travel outside of your comfort zone, let your guard down, and take a risk; immerse yourself in the richness of the learning experience. Although the program is conducted online, you will be amazed by the relationships and support that is developed with your peers. The growth that I have experienced is truly unexpected and all due to the program instilling the power of acceptance.