From Our Graduates
Deborah A. Shear
Former Graduate StudentPsychology Department
Currently working on Ph.D.
at Emory University
In my wildest dreams I could never have imagined how much my life would change as a result of my experiences here. My undergraduate experience at CMU gave me a strong foundation and the confidence to continue my studies at the graduate level, and after completing my B.S. degree, I chose to stay at CMU to pursue my master's degree in experimental psychology. I made this choice for two reasons. First, I liked the strong mentoring component of the graduate program in psychology, but even more importantly I was very excited about the research I had been doing as an undergraduate with my adviser, Dr. Gary Dunbar, and I wanted to stick around long enough to finish the projects we had started. I couldn't have made a better choice! During my first year as a graduate student, I co-authored two scientific papers and a book chapter with Dr. Dunbar, and then I applied for and was awarded a three-year National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, the first one ever awarded at CMU! It is the professors like Dr. Dunbar who consistently invest in their students and challenge them to push beyond the realm of learning so that they can experience the joy of discovery, that make a lasting difference in those lives they touch and help to make CMU a great university. No matter where I go from here, Central Michigan University will always hold a very special place in my heart.
Dominic Dousa
Graduate Student
The School of Music
CMU has provided me with an environment in which I have flourished as an aspiring
composer. I have the opportunity to work with Dr. David Gillingham, a distinguished
nationally-known composer, who has encouraged and supported me in actualizing my
compositional goals. With superb new facilities and ample individual attention from
faculty members, I am looking forward to another wonderful year of music making.
Ahmed Sakr
Earned MBA degree at CMU
in August, 2000. Currently pursuing
his Ph.D. in Business at University
of Illinois Carbondale.
When I first came here I had mixed feelings about this country. I come from Egypt, which is far away and has a culture that is completely different. At first, I did not know what to do. But then I met the people in the Office of International Education and the MBA office and found that they were all willing to help me find housing, register for classes, overcome culture shock and adjust to life at CMU.
The education system here has enriched my knowledge base a lot. Professors provide us with cases in much of our course work. That helps us learn to work in teams and to apply what we study in real life. The MBA program, accredited through the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, offers courses which provide the same type of information as that covered in other accredited programs. I feel that this program will give me the opportunity to advance and possibly continue on to pursue my doctorate. The professors at CMU are willing to help students in all areas at any time, whether the help is with courses or other aspects of academic life.
Fawn Uhl
Chemistry Department Graduate
My experience in the Central Michigan University graduate program was a positive one.
Mainly, it helped me to grow into a more confident person. A lot of that can
be attributed to a wonderful professor, Dr. Bob A. Howell of the chemistry department. He provided exceptional guidance and support. Dr. Howell is one of the best
professors CMU has to offer; not only does he know a lot about chemistry, he is very
knowledgeable in many areas. He is the type of person that makes a profound
influence on your life, whether you realize it at the time or not. I have
spoken
with several of his former students who feel the same. It is his encouragement, care
and advice that we all appreciated.
CMU has a lot to offer graduate students. I was very pleased with the support of the people in the graduate school and their encouragement of professional development. With their support I was able to attend several National American Chemical Society meetings where I presented my research to chemists. I believe that the most valuable things I learned at CMU were self-confidence, professionalism and the ability to do research.
