Year Two

I have grown so much throughout my second year of college. My intent for the year, which was to try what I thought I wasn’t capable of, really paid off! I have had so many new, valuable opportunities because of my willingness to say “yes” to experiences that may challenge me.

Always wear your PPE!

One big change from my first year of school is my involvement in research. I joined the Pyter Lab, where I learn the importance of translational research using animal models. In January, I began working on a project that investigates the relationship between cancer and learning. I have had a large role in this project, completing almost all of the behavioral testing the mice undergo. My role in the lab has become more independent and taught me just how tedious science can be! Every detail matters. Another lab I have begun working in, the Gerhardt lab, provides me with a very different perspective on research. The clinical research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital investigates how cancer impacts a child’s development, and also how caretakers are affected by their child’s illness. I am working towards graduating with honors research distinction with Dr. Gerhardt and am excited to focus more on one project. Being able to see both the translational and clinical perspectives on cancer research has given me a more holistic view of what research can look like and how my skills fit into both.

The HCA Team

I have also gotten more involved in the Honors program in a variety of ways. Firstly, I worked as an Honors Community Advocate, where I built the community of first year honors students by planning programs and holding office hours. One of my favorite programs was Journaling with Jenny, where faculty member Jenny Patton spoke about the value of journaling. Planning programs and meeting with students taught me how to figure out what different student populations want to spend time doing and how to cater to their needs. In addition to working as an HCA, I applied for and was selected to receive the Honors and Scholars Enrichment grant, which I used to go on a Habitat for Humanity Buck-I-SERV trip (read more here). The honors program has been a vital part of my journey as a Buckeye, and I plan on continuing to use the valuable resources H&S offers me.

One of many great films from my African American History class

The classes I took in this past year have also been an important part in learning about myself and what I am capable of. Part of the honors requirements includes taking more advanced coursework, and the classes I took challenged me. The material in my honors anthropology class was unlike anything I have learned before, so I had to be diligent with studying and homework. With a new job, 4 classes, research, and volunteering, I was able to test my limits. I finished the semester with a 4.0 GPA and advanced within my other commitments. Going outside of my comfort zone showed me that I am capable of doing more than I think I can. During my second semester I explored some of my interests outside of psychology through my GE choices. Both my Bollywood and African American History Through Film classes were a great way for me to learn about the experiences of others, which is always something I enjoy. These classes have inspired me to possibly pursue a South Asian studies minor and/or continue taking elective classes about experiences and cultures that are not my own. Watch a movie about someone from a different perspective than you and I am sure you will learn something about yourself, and others! I am proud of myself for finishing the spring semester with a 4.0 as well.

June Door Decorations

In addition to these activities, I have continued to be a volunteer at Riverside Methodist Hospital. The door decorations I make for the Oncology floor have become a bit more advanced because of the new Cricket machine! So far I have served over 250 hours at the hospital and I plan on volunteering for as long as I am in Columbus. I was honored to be awarded a $2,000 scholarship for excellence in academics and volunteer performance this spring. I am also still a member of Broom Goes the Dynamite, an intramural broom ball team. We made it to the semi-finals this spring! It has been a great way for me to maintain my wellness and continue building friendships.

This summer I am doing research at Jacobs University through the DAAD RISE program. I am conducting research on how to improve physical health and nutrition habits in older adults through a web based program. So far it has been a great way to learn about the innovative research that is being done in other countries while also learning about the German language and culture. I will also be starting a new role as a Resident Advisor in Bradley-Patterson next year, which will be a great way for me to build my leadership skills and learn about other cultures, as I will be an RA in a hall with international students. Looking back at my second year of college, I have become more ambitious than ever, and learned just how capable I am of doing things I didn’t think I could do. I could not have achieved the things I did this year without my support system, so thank you to all of my mentors, friends, and family for helping me realize my fullest potential!

 

Habitat for Humanity

This spring break, I was decided to donate my time and talent to Habitat for Humanity in Taos, New Mexico. Taos is most known for its ski resort, which is the main source of the town’s economy. Tourism drives the prices of the homes to an average of $300,000 each, even though the average salary of the people who live in Taos is $17,000 which creates a need for affordable housing.

This is where Habitat for Humanity comes in! They use volunteers to build every part of the home, with the exception of electricity and plumbing. I had various jobs throughout the week, which included tiling a bathroom, sanding drywall and constructing a cover for a crawl space. My favorite part about the process was using construction tools. The assistant construction supervisor would give me a quick lesson on how to use a circular saw, or metal grinder, or staple hammer, and I was very good at catching onto new skills quickly. I surprised myself with how many new construction techniques I learned. I also learned to ALWAYS check your measurements twice!

Because there were only two construction supervisors for 30 volunteers, I had to be self sufficient in finding work to do and being a leader for those who were unsure of how to make the most of their time. This meant making measurements while waiting to learn how to use a tool, getting the supplies needed for the next task, and cleaning up the area from a previous project. This experience brought out the natural leader in me. Even if there are designated leaders on a trip, there are always opportunities to lead.

On Tuesday, we had the partner family lunch, where the woman who was going to live in the home we were constructing came and made us lunch and spoke about how her experience with Habitat for Humanity has impacted her life. She will now be able to afford to buy a home in the town she wants to settle down in. Hearing her story made me feel even more empowered. At the beginning of the week I felt like I wasn’t making that big of a contribution to Habitat for Humanity, but she reminded me that every bit of work I did was a step closer to a family with their own home in a city they loved. I wasn’t going to finish a house in 4 days, but what I could do is finish a project, which is one less project that has to be done until she has her forever home.

I would like to thank the University Honors and Scholars program for funding this trip with the Honors and Scholars Enrichment Grant. And also thank you to Habitat for Humanity: Taos for letting us be a part of the impactful work that you do.

TED Radio Hour

This semester I have begun working on a project in Dr. Pyters lab that takes about three and a half hours a day for four days a week. I am alone with the mice and work on behavioral analysis, which has left me with lots of time to think and listen. After being introduced to the TED Radio Hour podcast, I have been using my time to learn about all of the creative, inventive, and quirky things people dedicate their lives to. Today I listened to the “Quiet” episode, and Gavin Pretor-Pinney spoke about his love for clouds. Not as a meteorologist loves clouds. He simply just appreciates them for their beauty. While looking at artwork in Rome, he began to notice just how many clouds were in paintings, and then gave a talk about his experience and began a society for cloud appreciation. He turned this experience into a discussion about finding ways to slow down and be mindful about the things around you.

Gavin Pretor-Pinney – From TED Radio Hour

This got me thinking about how all of the other people who give Ted Talks begin changing the world with their ideas. Most of these people experience something that peaks their interest. Nothing significant, but still noticeable. This is where I believe most people stop. They become interested and then forget about it and move on with their average life. However these speakers dwell on that interest and begin to think about what they can do to pursue that idea. Their course of life is changed by a seemingly insignificant event that becomes significant because of what they decide to do with it. Listening to these podcasts has helped me realize that I have been given a set of life experiences, and what I decide to make out of the things I find interesting is what will make me exceptional.

G.O.A.L.S.

As I begin to finalize my Honors Contract, I have been reflecting on how I have been achieving the G.O.A.L.S. of the University Honors and Scholars Program.

Global Awareness: There are many ways for me to learn about the world around me here at OSU. I am especially interested in learning about different cultures, so finding ways to be involved in global awareness is always easy. I am exploring diversity through my course work by taking classes about Bollywood film, and world religions. I think my primary education left global awareness out of the curriculum, so it is especially important to take advantages of classwork about people around the world. In addition to this, I am currently working on becoming D.I.C.E. certified, which is a program through the Multicultural Center where you participate in events about diversity. So far I have learned about stories of immigrants, and learned about the experiences of Native Americans. I am planning on doing research abroad in Germany this summer, which will be a great opportunity to learn about my own culture and how German life is different than life here in the United States.

Original Inquiry: I have always been involved in the art aspect of original inquiry. As an art minor, I have been able to continue to develop my art skills through many medias, including clay, drawing, painting, digital imaging, and sculpture. I have explored the more scientific aspect of original inquiry in my research with two different research labs. I have been working in Dr. Pyter’s neuroscience lab since August of 2018, and her research explores the roles of the immune system and the gut-brain axis on chemotherapy associated deficits in learning and memory using a rodent model. I have been working on behavioral testing with mice, and hope to present the findings at various state, national, and international research conferences. I joined Dr. Gerhardt’s lab at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in January of 2019, and have been learning about how cancer affects family and patient decision making, and how social relationships are affected by cancer. I have begun to understand the limitations and strengths of all types of research. Being involved in both clinical and basic research is the perfect match to understand how the body affects behavior, and how that behavior varies among different people. I am planning on completing a Thesis Project my fourth year of school and going to graduate school to get a Ph.D.

Academic Enrichment: So far, my academics have challenged me to be the best student I can be. Because the honors program requires rigorous coursework, I have been pushed to excellence in the classroom. I chose to pursue psychology because I was interested in improving mental health, but I have come to realize that psychology is so much more than just diagnosing mental illnesses. My exploration in classwork and research has exposed to me to many of the different subfields within psychology, and I have become interested in preventative care, and health psychology. I believe that the coursework I am taking now will prepare me for graduate school, and a future career as a clinical health psychologist.

Leadership Development: So far in my college career, I have had many opportunities to act as a leader. I currently work as an Honors Community Advocate and my job is to help first year students navigate transitions, and guide them to resources they may need to be the student they want to be. I serve as a leader to them by planning programs about research, diversity, wellness, and more. I also serve as a peer mentor to them by having one on one conversations with students to talk with them about anything they might need. In addition to this, I am a Wellness Coach for the Student Wellness Center and lead undergraduate students towards a life that they want for themselves, no matter what aspect of their wellness they want to improve. Over the summer, I was a camp counselor for teenagers interested in volunteering and leadership development. This was a wonderful way to lead other students in community service and character development. I am looking forward to continuing my leadership experience by being a Resident Advisor next year and being a mentor for students on a more personal level.

Service Engagement: Service engagement has always been important to me. I feel like my talents are meant to be given to others, not to keep to myself. I am currently using my talents at Riverside Methodist Hospital, where I pass out art kits to patients on the Oncology floor, and also make monthly decorations for each patients door. I have volunteered there for over 250 hours, and am planning to continue volunteering there every weekend until I leave Columbus. I also participated in Semester of Service in the spring of 2018 and volunteered at a youth drop in center and worked to organize resources available to the youth who go there. I am going on a Buck-I-Serv trip to Taos, New Mexico this spring break, and will be building houses for Habitat for Humanity. I also enjoy doing volunteering on the side for programs that different student clubs organize. I hope to continue to serve the community in even bigger ways as my skills continue to grow.

I am proud of how far I have come, and I look forward to all of the opportunities I can continue to pursue to strengthen my involvement in global awareness, original inquiry, academic enrichment, leadership, and service.

Year One

My first year of college started sooner than most students. I moved in early to participate in the Ohio State Welcome Leader (OWL) program. This was a great way for me to meet other people in my Residence Hall, and make move in day easier for the thousands of students coming back to campus. 

I started getting involved in community service early through Community Commitment! After being shuttled to a community garden, I harvested some vegetables and put a fresh coat of paint on the fence. This was a great way for me to get connected to just one of many service organizations around Columbus that I have the opportunity to work with.

I had lots of interesting classes first semester, including my first year writing course, Human Biology in Cinema, Photography 1, Drawing 1, Digital Imaging, and orchestra. Evaluating the biological aspects of a movie in Human Biology in Cinema and determining whether or not it is scientifically accurate has taught me how to apply my class knowledge to real work situations.

In terms of art, I am typically a 3D artist, so the classes I was in first semester were outside of my comfort zone. In the beginning, I was hesitant to start a new project and found myself feeling overwhelmed. I had to learn how to trust myself and my skills. I am a good artist, I just need to try new things, ask questions, and put in the hard work. To the right is my favorite piece I made first semester, titled Face Swap.

I ended up finishing the semester with a 4.0 GPA and made it on the Dean’s List. I was able to get into the groove of college my first semester, but was still looking to get more involved in extracurriculars, so I decided to apply to the Spring Semester of Service, and ended up being accepted!

As part of the Mental Health Awareness Semester of Service cohort, we met biweekly to discuss various mental health topics. I learned about how the university responds to crisis situations, and about how I can do my part to recognize and help people who are struggling with their mental health. Another aspect of this program was volunteering at a local organization. I was paired with Star House, which is a homeless youth drop in center. As an organization with many resources, it was my job to organize the resources they offer in a way that would be most beneficial for the youth. Throughout the semester, I compiled all resources they offer, and created a visually appealing way to understand when the resources were available, and what they offered. Semester of Service was an incredible opportunity to learn more about a topic I am passionate about, as well as connecting with Honors and Scholars staff members. 

I also joined Broomball, an intramural sport similar to hockey, but with a bigger ball and no ice skates. Our team is called Broom Goes the Dynamite, and playing has been a great way to build relationships with other OSU students, and maintain my personal wellness. I played softball and soccer in high school, so it was nice to get back into something I am passionate about.

I also added a Psychology major to my Art major second semester, and took 2 honors psychology classes. I had to write a 10 page paper about different topics in psychology, which built my knowledge of literature databases, and summarizing research articles. In addition to classwork, I got more involved in the psychology department by being a subject in various research projects, Through these experiences, I have learned more about research methods, and what sorts of research projects OSU faculty are interested in.

I learned a lot about myself my first year of college. I think I limited myself first semester, and applying for Semester of Service and joining a Broomball team was a big step towards understanding what my capabilities are. Not only am I a great student, but I also have many talents that allow me to succeed in many different environments, which has inspired me to give everything my best and try things I may think I am unqualified for, because I am able to do great things if I believe in myself.

Oncology Floor Door Decorations

Every Saturday, I volunteer at Riverside Methodist Hospital as an Art Activity Volunteer. I work with Jen McHale, who is an art therapist there. Every month, I design new door decorations for the oncology floor. The decorations almost always have an inspirational quote, or a positive, punny message written somewhere. This unique piece of art hanging on the door brings a dreary place more joy. Should the unfortunate event occur that a patient passes away, the family may bring the door decoration home to keep a part of that person with them. The decorations impact not only the patients and their families, but the nurses as well. Jen has said that the nurses always look forward to seeing the next month’s theme. One simple act has the ability to impact each person who walks through the 7 Yellow hallway. Volunteering at the hospital allows me to use my artistic abilities to positively impact people who are experiencing a difficult time in their lives. Below are a few examples of the decorations I have designed with fellow volunteers!

 

 

My Intent

MyIntent is a project started by Chris Pan, H&S alumnus, which encourages people to choose one word to positively guide personal goals and start meaningful conversations. I had the privilege to make a bracelet for myself, and ended up choosing the word “GO”. Last year, I didn’t feel like I was qualified enough or had the experience to succeed, so I didn’t take a lot of risks and try new things. I told myself that I could always just wait until next year.

I have slowly realized that I can do more than I think I can, I just have to “give it a go”, as my favorite YouTuber, Olan Rogers, says. This intention has already encouraged me to try new things! I applied to be a leader on a Buck-I-Serve trip this winter break, and I am planning on applying to be a wellness coach in the next few weeks.  I have found that I am much more open to different opportunities. Trying new things sometimes leads to failure, but I can only grow if I test my boundaries and find out what I am capable of! I would like to thank Chris Pan for donating the supplies to the Honors and Scholars Program, and for inspiring me to find more meaning and purpose in my actions.

Introduction

Welcome to my E-Portfolio! This website will serve as a documentation of the things I have done and accomplished throughout my college experience. My name is Emma Siefring and I am a third year Honors Psychology major with a minor in south asian studies and studio art. I began volunteering at Riverside Methodist Hospital with an Art Therapist in 2016, and this experience continues to inspire me to pursue a career in the field of health psychology. I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical health psychology after I obtain my Bachelor of Arts.

I am expanding my knowledge about health psychology in Dr. Gerhardt’s lab at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which investigates the effect of cancer on children’s social, behavioral, and intellectual development. I am completing an honors research thesis with Dr. Gerhardt about sharing feelings about cancer and how that affects quality of life and risk for mental illness. I am also a trained Wellness Coach for the Student Wellness Center, and help students set wellness goals using the 9 Dimensions of Wellness. To continue contributing to the Honors & Scholars Program, I am a member of the Arts and Sciences Honors Student Subcommittee and assist the Arts and Sciences Committee in making decisions about new General Education requirements and discuss room for improvement within the program. In my free time, I volunteer at Riverside Methodist Hospital, play on a Broomball team called Broom Goes the Dynamite, rollerblade, listen to Young the Giant, participate in OUAB events, and craft!

 

Camp L.E.E.D.

This summer I had the privilege to be a camp counselor at Camp L.E.E.D. My campers were between the ages of 11 and 14, and chose to dedicate their summer to community service and leadership building! I supervised and worked with them at places like the Ronald McDonald House, The Heinzerling Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Canine Collective, Welcome Warehouse, Neighborhood Services, and many more. When the campers weren’t volunteering, I took them to parks, UDF (their favorite), and we played lots of card games. I had a great summer filled with lots of fun and learning about many wonderful organizations around Columbus!