Samaia Brown

Samaia Brown has big plans for what she wants to do with her psychology degree from Radford University. Though she doesn’t expect to graduate until 2024, she says she already has plans to go to graduate school to earn her Ph.D. in criminology and aspires to become an FBI intelligence analyst. The strength of the psychology program at Radford University was one of the major draws for Brown. 

“I chose Radford and my major because I’ve always been interested in the mental aspects of people,” the Manassas, Virginia, native said. “From nonverbals to verbal characteristics, assessing those cues is fascinating to me. I thought Radford University would be a perfect place for me because I'll be able to learn various psychological characteristics to help cross-analyze the criminal behaviors, which I will need for the career I want to pursue.”

As a first-generation college student, Brown was influenced to become a student in the psychology program by her father's love of the subject. When she came to Radford, Brown said she needed a little help adjusting to college learning and found the resources she needed at the University’s Academic Success Center (ASC).

The ASC strives to empower students to thrive through a variety of quality academic support services intended to maximize their personal and academic goals and to encourage them to persist, achieve and succeed.

The ASC provides students with the opportunity to work with academic advisors, engage and connect with peers, meet with faculty and graduate student mentors and coaches and gather together for educational and social programming.

“The Academic Success Center is one major factor to my becoming and staying a successful student,” Brown said. “The academic advisors genuinely care about your success and are there to help you with all your needs.”

Brown said that between the support of the ASC and her professors, she has now found her rhythm and is excelling in school, becoming a Radford University Honors College student and a National Society of Collegiate Scholars member, as well as being named to the Fall 2020 Dean’s List.

“My academic advisor in the ASC had a vital role in supporting me through my experience at Radford,” Brown recalled. “He pushed me and encouraged me to be great because he knew that I would do amazing things in the world.”

Brown said that in addition to the psychology program, she chose Radford for the beautiful setting in the heart of the New River Valley.

“One of the things I love about Radford University is that it has such a beautiful campus,” she said. “You will see tons of people just sitting outside throughout the various lawns when the weather is nice. It’s just such a beautiful place for me to earn my degree. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a Highlander.”