Scholarships and Awards: Humanities and Social Sciences International Connections Study Abroad Award (2017)

On Campus: During her senior year, Jones served as editor-in-chief of the Nubian Message, where she’s also held the titles of managing editor and writer. She has interned with the Humanities and Social Sciences communication office and Friends of the Library; she also served as a mentor for the Read to L.E.A.D. program.

In the Community and Beyond: During summer 2017, Jones studied abroad in England, where she took classes at Oxford, saw a Shakespearean play and visited famous landmarks such as the London Eye, among other activities.   

What’s Next? “After graduation, I’m moving to New York with the support of my amazing grandparents, where I plan to pursue a career in publishing. My goal is to work with young adult fantasy with a focus on people of color.”

Favorite Experience at NC State: “Serving as editor for the Nubian Message, particularly during its 25th year. I am especially grateful to have been a part of the paper at a time when its history was at the forefront. I got to shine a light on the problems faced by the black community at the time of the paper’s founding and celebrate how far the NC State community has come as a whole.”

Gillian Mahoney interned at the National Museum of American History, where she produced a study of data standards and the work culture of NMAH.

Gillian Mahoney

Graduate Program: M.A., Public History

On Campus: “I worked as the editorial assistant for the International Journal of Middle East Studies my first year on campus. In my second year, I transitioned into a more traditional teaching assistant position. Beyond that, I served on the founding editorial board of the NC State’s History Department’s blog Brick by Brick. I was also involved in the group “Historians for a Better Future” which held several teach-ins.”

In the Community and Beyond: “As a part of my introduction to public history course, I worked with small museums who were hoping to create a programming plan for senior citizens. Through research grounded in scholarship of museum studies and gerontology, as well as needs assessment interviews conducted with social directors, I attempted to understand the diversity of methods museums could use to collaborate with older stakeholders and their individual needs.

“Last summer, I interned at the National Museum of American History, where I produced a study of data standards and the work culture of NMAH. This work included an assessment of past data standards handbooks as well as interviews with staff, identifying staff reticence and lack of communication as the cultural features that inhibited data standards implementation.

“Outside of the historical field, I am an assistant novice coach of a youth rowing team, Triangle Rowing Club.”

What’s Next? “This summer, I’ll be working at the Library of Congress to process architectural photographs. In the fall, I’ll be at UNC-Chapel Hill to work on a master’s degree in information and library science. I’ll also work  at the Chapel Hill Historical Society to help researchers and to monitor and update the society’s archives.”

Favorite Experience at NC State: “Being part of such a collaborative and supportive environment in the History Department and getting to work with extremely knowledgeable and passionate professors and fellow students.”

Lucia Planchon poses next to her research poster.

Lucia Planchon

Graduate Program: Ph.D., Psychology

Research Focus: “I returned to graduate school to further my study of  postpartum mood disorders. I was particularly interested in examining risk factors, identification, and treatment of mood disorders following the birth of a child. During my time at NC State, I’ve had the opportunity to explore all of these areas and not only to contribute to the scientific literature but also to work with local stakeholders and organizations to improve local resources.”

Scholarships and Awards: “My research has received a lot of attention, from Vogue to National Public Radio. Maternal mental health has recently been identified as a critical component of care for infants and new mothers and I am thrilled that my research is helping to increase public awareness. I received the Lutterman Award from the Mental Health section of the American Public Health Association for my work examining factors that contribute to women disclosing their postpartum mood symptoms to a healthcare provider. I was also the recipient of the John Oliver Cook Graduate Student Award in Psychology. In addition to these research awards, I’m equally proud to be recognized for my  teaching and undergraduate mentoring; I received the Award for Excellence in Mentorship in 2017 and the Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching in 2018 from the Graduate Student Association. Finally, I was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi this year.”

On Campus: “I have served as a primary instructor for several undergraduate psychology courses including Health Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Applied Psychology. I value undergraduate education and was selected to participate in the  Preparing the Professoriate fellowship program this year.” 

In the Community and Beyond: “I have been able to present my research locally to train perinatal mental health providers in North Carolina. Additionally, I have presented at national conferences including the Biennial Perinatal Mental Health Conference, the American Public Health Association annual conference, the American Psychological Association annual conference, and the Postpartum Support International annual conference.”

What’s Next? “I have accepted my dream job! Starting in August, I will be a tenure-track assistant professor in the Psychology and Social Work Department at Meredith College in Raleigh.”

Mackie Raymond in a promo shot from Star Pocket Theatre’s production of The Member of the Wedding. Raymond, the co-founder and managing director of the theatre company, played the role of Frankie Addams in the production.

Mackie Raymond

Major: Communication (media concentration)

Scholarships and Awards: Dean’s List; Humanities and Social Sciences Student of the Month (November 2015); Student speaker at Gregg Museum Grand Re-Opening (2017); Attendee, North Carolina Theatre Conference Administration Intensive (2016)  

On Campus: A Humanities and Social Sciences ambassador since 2017, Raymond has volunteered with the Women’s Center, served as a research associate in the Department of Communication, and worked as a scribe, proctor, and access assistant for NC State’s Disability Services Office. She’s also been a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the Friends of Arts NC State Board of Directors, the NC State Vox Accalia and State Chorale choirs, and the Student Government Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Outreach Board. She served as a director and producer for NC State’s Central Campus Murder Mystery Dinner in its first two years, and has performed in a number of NC State University Theatre and TheatreFest productions.

In the Community and Beyond: Raymond co-founded and is managing director of Star Pocket Theatre, a local theatre company. She recently played the role of Frankie Addams in the company’s inaugural production of Carson McCullers’ The Member of the Wedding, and has performed with professional companies throughout the Triangle. She’s also interned with the Sehgal Foundation, Raleigh Little Theatre, and the nonprofit 826DC.

What’s Next? Raymond plans to continue her career in theatre performance and administration.

Favorite Experience at NC State: “When aerial dance troupe Bandaloop performed as part of NC State Live’s 2015-16 season, Arts Village residents had the opportunity to try out their harnesses and get rigged into the air. It was a blast swinging around Stewart Theatre!”

Jesse Young near his home in Burnsville, North Carolina.

Jesse Young

Major: Philosophy and Religious Studies; Foreign Languages and Literatures (Spanish)

Scholarships and Awards: 2018 Religious Studies Prize (awarded by NC State’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies)

On Campus: Outside his own studies, Young has also supported his fellow students by serving as a tutor for student-athletes and a peer mentor in religious studies.

In the Community and Beyond: Young studied abroad at the University of the Basque Country (Spain) in spring 2017, where he studied philosophy and developed proficiency in Spanish.

What’s Next? This fall, Young will begin an M.A. program in religion at Florida State University, where he will study Buddhism under Dr. Jimmy Yu.

Favorite Experience at NC State: “Feeling very much at home after returning from studying abroad.”