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Jacqueline Ava Melia
When selecting a university, I chose WVU because, having grown up in Morgantown, I have always admired how integrated into the city the campus was and loved seeing the college students and imagined being one. As I grew older, I became fascinated by WVU's research opportunities, particularly as an R1 institution, and its proximity to the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. Therefore, when I settled on a double major in neuroscience and psychology, I could not wait to attend WVU.
What is your favorite Mountaineer memory?
My favorite Mountaineer memory was getting to know the other people in my dorm at NSO. Getting to learn the names of a few new people who I would certainly see in the future eased some anxiety over starting college, and made WVU feel more like home.
Why did you want to become a PSA?
I wanted to become a PSA because I have always struggled with public speaking and presentations. However, as someone hoping to pursue a research-focused career, being able to present findings and have professional conversations is key. Therefore, becoming a PSA offered an incredible opportunity to develop my professional skills while pushing the limits of my comfort zone.
What did you learn from the PSA experience?
From the PSA experience, I learned the value of what you know and what you do with it. We had so many speakers, and from each of them, I learned tools - from resume outlines to how to save a life. Dr. Atkins also taught us the importance of knowing how to organize a speech and the worth of sharing your knowledge with others. Ultimately, the PSA experience taught me not to take what I know for granted and never to underestimate the power of sharing it.