Amanda Grohosky

Amanda Grohosky of Saugerties, NY, a junior psychology major at Rider University, said the summer internship she had at the University of South Florida Mental Health Institute was an outstanding opportunity for personal and professional growth.

“There were three different lecture sessions and an ethics course each week for all 15 interns,” Grohosky said. “Each intern was paired with a faculty member.

She was one of only 15 students from 85 applicants across the country selected for the nine-week program.

“I was paired with Dr. Kathy Moore, a specialist in mental health law and policy,” Grohosky added. “Our project involved a DUI (Driving under the Influence) initiative. We looked at alcohol policy in Hillsborough County, Florida, and talked to key stakeholders on different issues and ways to improve the policy. The rate of DUI citations in this county is the highest in the state.

“This internship was a great hands-on experience, more than just reading. I was able to interact with law enforcement, judicial and treatment skills professionals. This experience enhanced my people skills and helped to develop my career goals,” Grohosky said.

During the 2006 fall semester, she returned to Florida to attend the Florida Prevention Conference and present her findings during a panel discussion.

Grohosky, who also minors in criminal justice, Spanish and pre-medical studies, said her advisor at Rider, Dr. Wendy Heath, professor of psychology, encouraged her to apply for the internship and wrote a letter of recommendation. “Dr. Heath has been an incredible mentor,” she said. “In addition to being her advisee, I also have been doing independent research with her. She has just been a tremendous influence on me.”

Grohosky's work with Dr. Heath has concentrated on investigating the factors that can affect jurors’ decisions. Her work in Dr. Heath’s lab has included testing participants and then compiling collected data.

Grohosky is vice president of the Law Society, a member of the Psi Chi national psychology honor society, and a member of the Honor Key Society, which recognizes the top academic students in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She has also been on the dean’s list every semester at Rider.

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