Introducing New Graduate Student Sydryl Denila

August 9, 2023 - Shelly DeJong

Name: Sydryl Eira P. Denila, Syd for short (He/They)

Hometown: I was born in Iloilo City, Philippines and have been living in Chicago for the past 10 years.

Undergrad: DePaul University /Community Psychology with the focus on Sense of Belonging and Youth Empowerment, also majored in Women and Gender Studies focused on Intersectionality

 

Why grad school? What do you hope to research while you're here?

My identities as a Trans, filipino, immigrant, 1st gen and low income student has created an experience that pushed me to explore and understand how intersecting identities affects our sense of belonging. Not only in higher education, but also in our society. As someone who struggles to see my own sense of belonging, doing research on this topic pushed me to pursue grad school. I intend on continuing this research during my time here at MSU.

What do you love about Eco/Community Psychology?

What I love about the field of community psychology is that there is no limit on what we can learn. Despite being it’s own field, research can be approached with an interdisciplinary lens. Community psychology gave me the opportunity to go beyond the individual and understand how our community, culture, environment and etc. can affect our own personal mental health. Community psychology has also given me the opportunity to meet incredible individuals with multiple intersecting identities that also has been a drive for their own research.

In your free time, what do you like to do?

During my free time I enjoy learning new skills. My family likes to call me Jack of all trades, I’m currently learning how to sew and up cycle thrifted clothes. I also enjoy watching reality tv and movies, reading books and listening to podcasts. I also enjoy performing and watching drag.