Jon-Patric Veal, born and raised in Baton Rouge, knew early on that he would go into the field of psychology. His deep desire to help individuals cope with problems from within led him to the realization that becoming a clinical psychologist was his ultimate dream. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 run away from your brain,鈥 is a sentiment he truly believes and often shares with others.
Education Journey
Jon-Patric completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from Hendrix College in Arkansas where he also played football. It was during his junior year that he recognized a Ph.D. was necessary to get him where he wanted to be. This realization only made him more eager to work hard and begin his search for the perfect place to begin his graduate education journey. That search led him to 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette. He not only gained admission to the Master鈥檚 in Psychology program but also secured a graduate teaching assistantship.
Graduate Studies
Within the Psychology M.S. program, Jon-Patric quickly became comfortable teaching intro to Psychology courses to undergraduate students. Now he was ready to dive into his research. One of his first research areas was irrational fears. He held a symposium talk that focused on irrational fears and clinicians and how it impacts their treatment of people. It was not long after that he began working on his thesis, 鈥淗ow Variations in Perspective Taking Can Mediate the Effects of Empathy on Implicit Racial Bias.鈥 More specifically, his research shows that perspective-taking can be used during interventions to decrease implicit racial bias.
"Ultimately, empathy is the cure-all for bias, he says, and utilizing different perspectives can improve empathy."
This research will play a large role in his aspirations to work with different communities as a clinical psychologist.
Support from Faculty and Mentors
Jon-Patric鈥檚 academic achievements were enriched by the support he received from his faculty and mentors. He noted that Dr. Emily Sandoz and Dr. Rick Perkins have been guiding lights, offering invaluable assistance not only in coursework but also in research endeavors and conference opportunities. Jon-Patric also served as the Psychology Department representative for GSO (Graduate Student Organization), which contributed to added personal and professional growth while in grad school.
Memories and Experience at 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette
As Jon-Patric reflected on his time as a grad student at 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette, he shared a favorite memory--participating in a Mardi Gras tour. The tour started in Lafayette, went through Baton Rouge, and ended in New Orleans. He had out-of-town friends accompanying him which made the experience more memorable. He also enjoyed the culture in Lafayette,
"The people are down-to-earth and very proud of being from Lafayette."
When asked what advice he would give someone considering graduate studies in Psychology at 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette he said, 鈥淒o it! Everyone is helpful. You will have many opportunities to expand your CV, which will help you gain admission into a Ph.D. program.鈥
Gratitude and Reflection
Jon-Patric was happy to reflect on his journey at the University by expressing his gratitude. He shared, 鈥淭he University of 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette has always been my dream school, and I鈥檓 so happy for the people I鈥檝e met and the experiences I鈥檝e had. The psychology program is a wonderful program for anyone to grow and better themselves. Most of all, I have been able to make an impact that I feel is meaningful. The things that I enjoy most about my life always involve helping people and 麻豆果冻传媒L has given me opportunities to do those things.鈥
Jon Patric鈥檚 journey at 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette highlights not only academic excellence but also the supportive environment our hard-working faculty provides. The campus and the community that surrounds it provide a unique culture that leaves a lasting impact on all who experience it. Do you find you have a strong curiosity about human behavior? Do you desire to make a difference and enjoy research? If so, the M.S. in Psychology program might be the next step in your journey.
Learn more about the M.S. in Psychology program at the University of 麻豆果冻传媒 at Lafayette.