Kristina Medema ’17, a first-year graduate student in the specialist program in school psychology, is a 2017 recipient of the Illinois State University Foundation Fellowship.
Medema began her undergraduate career at Black Hawk Community College in Moline, Illinois. She then transferred into the psychology program at Illinois State. As an undergraduate, she began working in a lab with professors Adena Meyers and Renee Tobin to gain more research experience.
“The graduate assistants in that lab were in the school psychology program,” Medema said. “Over time, I learned more about the program and realized it was something I wanted to pursue for myself. I’ve always enjoyed working with children, and I feel very comfortable in a school setting.”
Medema graduated summa cum laude in May, after making the Dean’s List every semester of her undergraduate career. She was president of the Student Psychological Association (SPA) and a member of Psi Chi Honor Society, the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and Psi Beta Honor Society. She has also presented research at the ISU Research Symposium and the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) annual meeting. Medema plans to work in a rural school district after completing her specialist degree.
The Illinois State University Foundation Fellowship is awarded to three doctoral and three master’s level students each year. To be considered for this award, applicants must demonstrate a potential for academic success at the graduate level, having attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 on a 4.0 scale, among other qualifications.
