Susan Johnson

Personal Statement

During my undergraduate studies, I completed a research based internship with Dr.

Noelle St. Vil at the University of Buffalo. We conducted a thematic analysis on her interviews

with survivors of domestic violence. I also spent a significant amount of time conducting

literature reviews. This internship was largely independent, so I am capable of managing my

time effectively to complete tasks. I took two statistics classes, one of which is specific to

psychology, a research methods class, and Psychological Assessment. I also have experience

finding and evaluating published research articles, so I believe that I am ready to have a role on a

research team. I have also taken Psychology of Gender, Multicultural Psychology, Cultural

Diversity, and Sociology of Human Rights, three writing intensive classes, and completed a

minor in Sociology, so I am well equipped to work with people of many different backgrounds. I

have also made the Deans List each semester so far with the exception of one. I did not do as

well during the spring 2015 semester because I faced significant adversity after the murder of a

family member.

As a biracial woman growing up in a poor, segregated city in America, I have seen and

experienced many injustices and prejudices. I was a senior in high school during George

Zimmermans trial for killing Trayvon Martin. The case was very personal for me because

Trayvon was the same age as me, and I realized that could have been one of my classmates, one

of my loved ones. I thought what happened to him was just a one-time thing, until Eric Garner

was killed. Then Michael Brown. And Tamir Rice. I realized that Trayvons murder was not

unique and I began to understand how deeply rooted inequality is in American society and

government.
 The more I learn about inequality, the stronger drive I feel to work against it. I am

interested in studying inequalities, especially related to racism and poverty. I plan on studying

and addressing factors perpetuating poverty and community interventions that help to reduce

poverty and alleviate its negative effects. I would prefer to work directly with the community to

figure out what interventions could help its members and the biggest struggles they face.

Studying the intersectionality of race and poverty is also an interest of mine. I am also interested

in studying diverse representation in media, toys, and other platforms, and how that affects self-

concepts and empowerment of minority groups, especially related to the natural hair movement

in the black community.

One purpose in going to graduate school is for me to build upon my professional skills

and knowledge in how to be a catalyst in community improvement. I believe the work I will do

in graduate school will influence the direction my career takes, whether it is in research, politics,

working in an agency, or something else. Understanding the research behind community change

will also enable me to make more informed, empirically-based decisions related to progress.