Hometown: Ellaville, Georgia

Major: Senior psychology major

Graduating: Spring 2026

Hanae's nominators said:
Hanae is an outstanding student and departmental citizen. This academic year, she has served as a psychology tutor for FYE and consistently demonstrates kindness, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to supporting her peers. In addition to her academic responsibilities, she works full-time in medical billing and customer service, where she effectively applies her strong interpersonal skills. Hanae has a deep passion for research and has participated in several independent projects, which she has formally presented at GSW and was accepted to present more of her work at the Southeastern Psychological Association conference in New Orleans this semester. She also has plans this semester to study abroad in Paris alongside one of her friends from the major.

Hanae has applied to PhD programs in cognitive psychology and is well prepared for the rigor and demands of doctoral-level study. Her achievements and character make her a truly exemplary student and a model representative of Georgia Southwestern State University.

Why did you choose to attend GSW?
GSW has always been part of my life to some extent or another. My mother transferred from Japan and met my father at GSW, and I also grew up attending various campus events, participating in the GSW community band in middle school, and later taking dual enrollment courses here. When it came time to complete my undergraduate studies, choosing GSW was the natural option because it has always felt like home to me.

Please list your University highlights, achievements, leadership and awards.

• Tutor of the Year Award, 2025
• Notetaker for the Office of Accommodations and Access, 1 year
• Psychology and Sociology tutor, 1 year
• Accepted Undergraduate Research presenter, 72nd Annual SEPA Conference, 2026
• President’s List, 5 semesters
• Academic Achievement List, 2 semesters
• Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, 2024-present

Why did you choose your major, or what do you love about your major program at GSW?
I believe that exploration of any aspect of life cannot be sufficiently met until we first understand ourselves. I chose to major in psychology for this reason—to study the human mind and behaviors, understand why we think, feel, and act the way that we do and ultimately build the foundations necessary for further scientific inquiry.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I love to integrate and curate a visual language into most components of my life. Whether it’s art, photography, fashion, poetry, academic projects, or other unnoticed dimensions of everyday life, I enjoy visual structure as a way to communicate ideas and manifest personal identity into something tangible.

Tell us more about something you’re involved with on campus.
As a tutor for the Department of First-Year Experience and Student Success, I have had the wonderful opportunity to connect with many brilliant, creative, and personable students in our community that I otherwise would not have had the chance to interact with. I believe that sometimes students may be hesitant to attend tutoring sessions because of an unspoken (and inaccurate) connotation that it’s because you’re struggling in a course, but the reality is that it’s often most beneficial for students already motivated in their coursework and simply wanting a space to ask questions or even just to study with some additional support. I think it’s great to attend at least one tutoring session regardless of your academic standing because you never know what you may learn or who you may get to learn with! 

What have you learned (from your classes, professors, or other students) that’s made the biggest impact on you?
By far the most impactful thing I have learned is the sheer amount of genuine support GSW has to offer for its students. Particularly, our Department of Psychology and Sociology is filled with the most encouraging, intelligent, and sincere faculty, and I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of learning under their guidance. Special thanks are necessary for Dr. Yongwon Cho, Dr. Sally Merritt, Dr. Ellen Cotter, Dr. Gary Fisk, Dr. Debra Palmer, and Dr. Judy Grissett, who have all contributed greatly to my academic growth and passion for the field. Each one of you has made a special impact on me during my time here, and I truly appreciate all you have done.

What has been your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge thus far has been navigating my work life, academics, and personal life with balance, efficiency, and confidence. As someone who works a full-time 9-5 in addition to working on-campus, taking full-credit hours and conducting independent research studies, structure and self-discipline can make or break being able to fulfill stacked responsibilities. Despite the pressure, I realized that the most daunting part of managing my tasks is simply believing I have the capacity to do so. Once I understood that all I needed was a commitment to myself, I never really looked back.

What is your favorite class and why?
It’s difficult to settle on a single favorite, but if I had to choose it would either be Dr. Fisk’s Biopsychology class or Dr. Cotter’s Human Growth and Development class. Dr. Fisk presented a lot of tough information in a memorable way, and I still often find myself referencing back to things I learned at random times or applying it to the real world. Similarly, Dr. Cotter always incorporated charming and well-timed humor into her lectures which made complicated concepts more approachable.

What’s something on your bucket list?
Before I expire, it is imperative that I learn how to stunt my motorcycle. I love casual riding and have been riding dirtbikes since I was a kid, so it feels like the next natural progression.

Posted February 26, 2026