Student Ambassadors | Applied Psychological Science
Our Ambassadors offer insight about Pacific University School of Professional Psychology's Masters in Applied Psychological Science program to prospective students and any other party requesting information about student life or the area. In addition to this, the Ambassadors help assist with open house, interview days, and other events. They also work very closely with the Admissions office in providing an invaluable resource for prospective students.
If you would like to speak with a current student about their experience applying to or choosing Pacific University, you are invited to contact one of our student ambassadors. They will be happy to help you.
Class of 2021
Makenna Armijo
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | The University of California, Irvine
Hometown | Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific University because their program most closely aligned with my academic and professional career goals. I felt that the faculty, coursework, and hands-on training would help make me the most competitive candidate that I can be for PsyD programs in the future. I also love how small Pacific's graduate campus is because it provides a great opportunity to really bond with your cohort and connect with faculty.
Hobbies | I enjoy hiking, exploring with my dog, traveling, reading, and cooking.
Sydney Bell
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | St. Cloud State University
Hometown | St. Paul, Minnesota
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because I like how all the health professions programs are integrated in the same campus. Knowing that in the future, I will work with other health professionals, it is comforting to know they view us as a community and not just the psych students in their own bubble. Now that I am a student here, I like how determined the faculty is on helping us succeed. I also like how small the cohorts are. It's very comfortable here.
Hobbies | I enjoy sports like hockey and baseball (Go Wild & Twins!). I also love playing video games in my spare time and exploring the outdoors.
Siena Benson
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Washington State University (Pullman)
Hometown | Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific University because our faculty consistently works to ensure its students are performing efficiently and successfully. Pacific is more than a university-we are a family.
Hobbies | I enjoy traveling, outdoor activities, painting, and singing out of tune. (:
Sunny Brown
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Pacific University
Hometown | Sandpoint, Idaho
Why I chose Pacific | From my very first interaction with the staff and faculty in undergrad, I was met with open arms and a family atmosphere. Everyone is supportive, welcoming, and encouraging in academia and in juggling our personal lives. I would not have wanted to go anywhere else for graduate school after attending Pacific prior.
Hobbies | Music, running, walking dogs!
Saba Fazeli Attar
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Portland State University
Hometown | Vancouver, BC, Canada
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific University because of their friendly and encouraging professors who truly want to see you succeed. I knew the coursework and practicing would prepare me well to be a great candidate for the PhD program as well.
Hobbies | I enjoy drawing on my spare time as well as exploring the outdoors by going on hikes!
Grace Koontz
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | The University of Texas at Dallas
Hometown | Snohomish, Washington
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific for its collaborative environment and focus on diversity. I like how the cohort model encourages students to support one another and provides a sense of community.
Hobbies | Drawing, reading, playing D&D, and practicing Krav Maga.
Andrea McChristian
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Purdue University
Hometown | Valparaiso, Indiana
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because it had a very welcoming and encouraging environment. The program allows you to challenge yourself and continue to grow as a person while furthering your education. The program will also prepare you to be a competitive candidate for PhD and PsyD programs.
Hobbies | I love hanging out with my dog, Einstein, hiking, binge-watching crime tv shows, and exploring for new places to eat!
Elizabeth Richardson
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution |
Hometown |
Why I chose Pacific |
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Rachel Schaefer
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Portland State University, Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Hometown | North Bend, Oregon
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because it was clear that it valued diversity, and there are several opportunities to engage with the surrounding communities as a student. There is also a sense of community within the students and faculty, which was the supportive environment I was looking for in deciding which university was right for me.
Hobbies | I like to spend time going on trail runs, cooking, going to pow wows and canoeing. I love trying new places to eat in Portland and exploring different farmer’s markets.
Preston Turner
First year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Linfield College
Hometown | Tigard, Oregon
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because of its supportive faculty and passionate students. Pacific's programs offered exactly what I was looking for to boost my knowledge and experience.
Hobbies | Coffee roasting, classical guitar, dungeons and dragons, reading/writing poetry, and obsessing over my cat.
Class of 2020
Kelsie Arsenault
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | University of Oregon, Psychology
Hometown | Umatilla, OR
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because the coursework and experience would help to make me a great candidate for future PsyD programs as well as jobs. Pacific has a friendly and supportive environment necessary to promote personal growth, as well as many opportunities to adequately challenge and prepare yourself for a successful future.
Hobbies | I like to spend time hanging out with my pup, Gunther. We like to go for walks, snuggle, and binge watch TV. I also like to eat, sleep, and occasionally catch a workout class at the SHARC.
Jocelyn Chavez
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | New Mexico State University, Psychology
Hometown | Albuquerque, New Mexico
Why I chose Pacific | Coursework and practicum that would fully prepare me to work in the field after graduation.
Hobbies | Cooking, running, exploring restaurants and places in Portland.
Katelyn Hershberger
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Oregon State University; BA psychology and BS Human Development and Family Sciences
Hometown | Canby, Oregon
Why I chose Pacific | I choose Pacific for the welcoming environment and the benefits of the program. All of the staff and students I have met have been enthusiastic about the program and are some of the most encouraging people out there. The program allows continuation in education and/or advanced placements in practical careers. I am excited for my future endeavors due to the training and education I have and will continue to receive through Pacific.
Hobbies | Playing with my dogs, baking, traveling, and adventure.
Emily Kearns
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Trinity Western University; Psychology major
Hometown | Lethbridge Alberta, Canada
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because it is a small university that values close-knit relationships. I wanted a place where I could have the freedom to be myself and not become lost among hundreds of other students. At Pacific, I love the welcoming atmosphere and the supportive faculty and staff.
Hobbies | I enjoy hiking, going to the beach, exploring new places, drinking tea, hanging with my friends, and reading.
Anam Khan
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution |Portland State University; Psychology major
Hometown | Born in Fremont, California and grew up in the Bay Area.
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because it aligned with my academic and future career goals. I also love that it's a small campus, you really get to connect with your cohort and faculty!
Hobbies | I love anything related to Halloween, watching movies/shows (horror and Bollywood are my favorites), baking, going to concerts, traveling, and finding/trying new restaurants.
Alexandra Pardico
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Gonzaga University, B.A. Psychology (Research Concentration) with a Minor in General Business
Hometown | Maui, HI
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because I knew that the value of the education and hands-on practice I would receive from Pacific would make me a competitive job applicant and/or candidate for continuing PhD or PsyD programs. In addition, I immediately felt the support and enthusiasm of the faculty upon meeting them -- and learning is much more fun when you can rely on incredible mentors.
Hobbies | I love watching movies, baking desserts, SLEEPing, binge watching shows with my dog, Milo, and finding good BOBA places.
Nikki Romena
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Texas Christian University, Double Major in Psychology and Criminal Justice
Hometown | Nānākuli, Hawaiʻi
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific because I felt that it valued diversity, collaboration, and community, which were all important factors that I wanted to consider when deciding what university to attend.
Hobbies | I love binge-watching the same shows on Netflix over and over again, anything outdoors (walking, hiking, swimming, etc.), watching sports, exploring the city with friends, and finding all the good sushi places in town.
Jhoevhana Sabado
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Pacific University, Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Hometown | Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Why I chose Pacific | A large reason I chose to return to Pacific University is because of the university's professors and faculty. While they encourage students to be self-sufficient and advocate for themselves, they also provide continuous support because they want their students to be successful. As a student, I know that I will be challenged in ways that I will learn more about the field that I love, but also about myself.
Hobbies | I am a foodie who loves binge-watching Netflix television shows, hiking, traveling and making arts and crafts.
Ethan Wallace
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Oregon State University
Hometown | Portland, Oregon
Why I chose Pacific | I chose Pacific University for its welcoming faculty, the range of options in regards to practicum experiences, and their balance of both research and clinical incorporating feedback and growing the program to address the needs of the students. Additionally, the program is designed to be both a terminal Master's for those who want that and help make students competitive candidates for doctoral programs.
Hobbies | Traveling around the states (especially Bend), cooking, socializing, reading (shout out to Powell's), and walking around the various parts of Portland.
Clayton Wilbanks
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | Hillsdale College, Psychology and French
Hometown | Houston, Texas
Why I chose Pacific | Pacific's students have been shown to be competitive in their PhD applications for Clinical Psychology at a number of other institutions. The faculty are helpful in helping students attain their goals.
Hobbies | I powerlift, play basketball, cook, hang with my friends in the cohort, and play videogames.
Chandler Wingreen
Second year | Clinical Psychology
Undergraduate Institution | I completed my undergraduate degree at Charleston Southern University (CSU) in Charleston, SC. I graduated with a dual B.S. in Psychology and Biology. I also represented my undergraduate school as a student athlete playing on their women's soccer team.
Hometown | I completed high school in Yorktown, VA and consider this to be my hometown. I lived in this area for 7 years, but I also moved often in my childhood and have lived in several different states/ countries.
Why I chose Pacific | I ultimately chose Pacific university because I felt like the school emphasized the importance of its students and preparing them for successful professional careers. Upon interviewing for the school the closeness of the faculty was another big factor in deciding where I wanted to pursue my graduate education. The faculty is passionate about their roles as educators, clinicians, and researchers. They all appeared to offer valuable insight through their own unique experiences working in the field.
Hobbies | As for my personal hobbies and self-care I love playing sports and having an active lifestyle. Hiking, working out, and being outside are things I try to incorporate weekly. I also enjoy live music, exploring Oregon, of course watching Netflix, and spending time with friends.