Sam McHugh

Name:  Sam McHugh

College:  Graduate

Department:  Psychology

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive?  Frank X. Barron Memorial Award in Creativity Research

What year do you expect to graduate? 2024

Where do you call home?  Garden City, New York / Santa Cruz, California

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out?  When applying to graduate programs, I was looking at potential faculty advisors all across the continent that might fit my research interests. I feel very fortunate that my top choice program was located in such a beautiful place!

What is your field of focus?  My research in the developmental psychology program focuses on how young children make sense of the world from everyday interactions with their parents.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz?  I hope to work as a postdoctoral researcher before earning a tenure-track professor position at a University.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here?  So far, my most memorable moments were at the picket line of the graduate teaching assistant wildcat strike for a cost-of-living adjustment.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz?  Grades aren’t always a reflection of your learning, and learning is a lifelong practice!

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research?  This scholarship will allow me to spend more time working on my research and compensate families for participating in my study.